In a significant stride towards greener maritime operations, researchers have developed a novel approach to optimize the formation of multiple vessels, taking into account the complex hydrodynamic interactions between ships. This innovative method, published in the journal ‘Applied Ocean Research’ (translated from Dutch as ‘Applied Ocean Research’), promises to enhance energy efficiency and adaptability in multi-vessel systems, offering substantial benefits for the maritime industry.
Dr. Xin Xiong, lead author of the study and a researcher at Delft University of Technology’s Department of Maritime and Transport Technology, explains that existing studies often overlook the intricate hydrodynamic interactions between ships. “Existing studies on multi-vessel formations rarely combine physically based models of ship–ship hydrodynamic interaction with online formation control,” Xiong notes. This gap has led to energy benefits being assessed offline or approximated through artificial potentials, limiting the real-time adaptability and efficiency of multi-vessel operations.
The research team addressed this issue by embedding a reduced-order, hydrodynamics-aware resistance model into a hierarchical formation control framework. This approach allows the supervisory controller to adaptively optimize inter-ship spacing and formation geometry based on speed and hydrodynamic conditions. The lower-level Model Predictive Control (MPC) ensures accurate trajectory tracking and stability, guided by the top-level optimization.
The study conducted four simulation studies to evaluate the proposed method. The platooning formation was first analyzed as a reference, followed by the triangular formation, which achieved balanced tracking performance and stability. The echelon formation demonstrated significant energy savings in medium to high-speed regimes while maintaining yaw stability. Finally, an unconstrained optimization scenario revealed emergent energy-efficient and stable arrangements across different speed ranges.
For maritime professionals, the implications are substantial. The proposed approach not only reduces resistance and improves energy efficiency but also enhances formation adaptability and robustness under varying operating conditions. This could lead to more efficient fleet management strategies, reduced fuel consumption, and lower emissions, aligning with the industry’s growing focus on sustainability.
Dr. Xiong highlights the broader impact of the research: “These findings provide new insights into hydrodynamics-aware cooperative control and the development of energy-conscious fleet management strategies for future maritime transportation.” The study’s results could revolutionize how ships operate in formations, particularly in commercial shipping, where fuel efficiency and operational adaptability are critical.
As the maritime industry continues to seek innovative solutions to reduce its environmental footprint, this research offers a promising path forward. By leveraging advanced control frameworks and hydrodynamic modeling, ship operators can achieve significant energy savings and operational efficiencies, paving the way for a more sustainable and adaptable maritime future.