First webinar: “Innovations in Vessel Design and Insights into Unmanned Surface Vessel Hydrodynamics: Challenges and Latest Developments”

Innovations in Vessel Design and Insights into Unmanned Surface Vessel Hydrodynamics: Challenges and Latest Developments

The webinar was organised within the framework of the EU-funded project LORELEI-X (GA 101158669).

Challenges and Advances in Vessel Design Process for USVs

Topics Covered
Advances in Vessel Manoeuvrability Modelling for Design

State-of-the-art manoeuvring models and important hydrodynamic considerations.

Constructing a theoretical manoeuvring models modular and economical approach for agile testing.

Extending the model to underwater vehicles.

Vessel design fundamentals, challenges, and innovations

Vessel Design – key principles including hydrodynamics, stability, and energy efficiency.

Current Challenges – limitations in endurance, Seakeeping, and adaptability.

Innovations in Design – emerging solutions such as advanced materials, modular structures, and novel propulsion concepts.

Future Outlook – trends shaping next-generation USVs mobility and opportunities for research and application.

Speakers

Topic 1 — Mr. Nikolaos Petikidis, PhD Candidate Department of Marine Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
Topic 2 — Dr. Ashok Kumar, Assistant Scientist at the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI).

Moderator

The session will be moderated by Professor Dong Trong Nguyen, Professor of Marine Cybernetics at the Department of Marine Technology at Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and partner of the LORELEI-X project.

Meet Our Speakers and Moderator

Speakers

Mr. Nikos Petikidis received an MEng in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). He is currently pursuing a PhD in the Department of Marine Technology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). His research focuses on marine hydrodynamics, with particular emphasis on the hydrodynamic aspects of ship maneuvering

Dr. Ashok Kumar is an Assistant Scientist at the CMMI – Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute, working in the Centre for Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering (NAOME). He holds a PhD in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM). His research focuses on ship design, hydrodynamics, propellers, composite materials, and motion analysis of floating structures. Dr. Kumar has published extensively in reputed journals and conferences and has been recognized with several international awards for his research excellence.

Moderator

Professor Dong Nguyen received the B.E. degree in Civil Engineering from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and the Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering from the National University of Singapore. He is currently a Professor with the Department of Marine Technology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway. His research interests include marine control systems and digital twins for autonomous systems, intelligent marine structures, and offshore renewable energy applications. He has coordinated and participated in EU- and Research Council of Norway–funded projects on renewable energy systems and marine cybernetics.

Webinar Details

Date & Time: 30 October 2025, 12:30 CET
Format: Online via Microsoft Teams

Watch the Recording