Assessment 1 – Research Proposal on Digital Twins in Autonomous Ship Design

Assignment Brief: Assessment 1 – Research Proposal on Digital Twins in Autonomous Ship Design

Dear Students,

It’s always a pleasure to see you grappling with the cutting edge of our field, where the blend of simulation and real-world maritime demands really comes alive. This assessment builds on our discussions in the module about how digital tools are reshaping vessel autonomy, much like the hands-on simulations we’ve run in lab sessions. Imagine proposing a system that could predict a ship’s behaviour before it even leaves drydock – that’s the kind of forward-thinking work I hope you’ll bring here.

Module Details: Autonomous Marine Systems (AMS 4021), Level 4, 15 Credits, Semester 1, 2025-26 Academic Year. Assessment Type: Individual Research Proposal (contributes 40% to overall module mark). Word Count: 1,500 words (excluding references and appendices; 10% tolerance, with deductions beyond). Submission Deadline: Friday, 14 February 2026, 12:00 noon via Turnitin on Moodle. Late work penalised at 5% per working day, capped at 5 days; zero thereafter without approved extensions.

Assessment Overview: You’ll develop a research proposal for applying digital twin technology to the design of an autonomous surface vessel (ASV), drawing from case studies like those in North Sea monitoring or port logistics. This echoes industry-led projects from places like the University of Southampton or Strathclyde, emphasising simulation-driven validation and IMO guidelines on MASS (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships). It’s a stepping stone to your group design later in the module.

Learning Outcomes Addressed:

1. Evaluate digital twin frameworks for hydrodynamic and control system modelling in naval architecture.
2. Formulate research questions and methodologies for autonomous vehicle integration.
3. Assess ethical, regulatory, and operational challenges in simulated maritime environments.
4. Present a feasible proposal aligned with UK Maritime Autonomous Systems Regulatory Framework.

Task Instructions:

1. Introduction and Rationale (approx. 400 words): Outline the role of digital twins in ASV design (e.g., real-time fault prediction or route optimisation). Identify a specific challenge, such as collision avoidance in congested waters, and justify its relevance for a 500 GT ASV. Reference IMO’s 2025 MASS Code interim guidelines.
2. Literature Review (approx. 500 words): Survey 4-6 sources from 2019-2025 via Google Scholar or IEEE Xplore. Critically appraise applications in ship stability or propulsion control, highlighting gaps like data integration in harsh conditions.
3. Methodology and Feasibility (approx. 400 words): Propose a mixed-methods approach, e.g., MATLAB/Simulink for twin development and CFD for validation. Include timelines, resources (e.g., open-source datasets), and risk mitigation. Discuss alignment with UN SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).
4. Expected Outcomes and Impact (approx. 200 words): Predict contributions to safer autonomy and suggest scalability for fleet operations.

Support and Resources:

• Fortnightly office hours (Wednesdays, 10am-12pm, via Zoom).
• Tools: Access to ANSYS Twin Builder trial and sample ASV models on Moodle.
• Reading pack: “Digital Twins for Maritime Autonomy” curated list. Feel free to bounce ideas off me – these proposals often evolve into standout final projects.

Marking Criteria (out of 100%):

Distinction (70%+) demands proactive insight; pass (40-69%) requires solid basics. Feedback within 20 working days on Moodle, including annotated proposal.

All the best with this – your proposals shape the module’s direction.

Warm regards, Professor Elena Hargrove Module Lead, Department of Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering

Suggested References (Harvard Format)

These draw from recent peer-reviewed works on digital twins and autonomous marine systems, sourced via Google Scholar and MDPI/IEEE databases, to underpin your proposal’s literature review.

1. Negreiros, J., Santos, T.A. and Guedes Soares, C. (2023) ‘Digital Twins in the Marine Industry: A Review’, Electronics, 12(9), p. 2025.
2. Raptis, T.P., Faiella, G., Giallanella, L., Kyriakopoulos, G.L. and Kameas, A. (2022) ‘Ship’s Digital Twin—A Review of Modelling Challenges and Applications’, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 10(8), p. 1136.
3. Lee, S., Kim, N. and Han, S. (2024) ‘Review Digital twins enable shipbuilding: Applications, challenges, and future directions’, Alexandria Engineering Journal, 89, pp. 1-18.
4. Wang, J., Zhang, H., Liang, Y. and Zhang, Y. (2025) ‘The application and development of digital twin in the marine domain’, Ocean Engineering, 295, p. 116947.
5. Bolbot, V., Theotokatos, G., Bujorianu, L.M., Boulougouris, E. and Vassalos, D. (2020) ‘A novel method to evaluate the safety of autonomous marine systems through digital twin simulation series’, Safety, 6(4), p. 61.