Professor: prof.ir. A. Aalbers.

In general, project and graduation thesis are focused on the same topic, so that the student may truly get to grips with the problem at hand. The topics are usually defined and carried out in co-ordination with industry. By doing so actual topics may be addressed. Also, generally speaking, one may thereby have the use of recent technical and economical data.

The design topics may include:

• The design of a ship or marine structure or a part thereof.

• The development of a design methodology for new shiptypes or a part thereof.

• The writing of computer programs for given design methods (preferred, but not a necessity).

• The calculation of an economic appraisal of the design object and, in some cases, in conjunction with the use of an optimisation method.

• A critical review of the applicability and relative faults of the design method.

• A parameter sensitivity analysis study and, in some cases, in conjunction with the use of an optimisation method.

Some titles concerning past topics are:

• The development of a new multi-functional (standard) salvage vessel for large salvage operations at sea.

• A design study for a 2.2 million barrel double hull oil tanker.

• Influence of the tank configuration on the design of chemical tankers.

• The design of container vessels with own cargo handling gear for inland waterways.

• Concept exploration model for semi-submersible platforms.

• Design study for a single point moored production tanker.

Topics may also lie within the research scope of the ship design section.

The following topics are presently addressed within the research activities of the ship design section:

• Design criteria for modern anchor systems for marine constructions.

• Design of advanced marine vehicles.

• CAD/CAM design and calculation models.

• Energy saving devices for the propulsion of ships.

• Safety and environment considerations during the design of marine constructions.

Employment possibilities for ship design graduates include:

• Shipyards

• Design consultants

• Shipowners

• Royal Navy

• Teaching at a scientific level

The speciality ship design is the broadest graduation field within the sub-department of Marine Engineering and offers, thereby, a wider basis for employment than other, more specialised, graduation areas. The most important possible employment areas are mentioned above.