Research themes in this area are related to nonlinear hydrodynamic forces in a seaway and flow analysis for the design of foils and axisymmetric shapes. In summary, research in these physically oriented disciplines is aiming at a suitable balance between scientific fundamentals and design applications. Inland Waterway Transport has many advantages over other types of transport, in particular with regard to aspects of energy saving. It is the task of modern technology to provide modern vessels, qualified waterways and efficient engineering structures to support this type of transport. Inland waterways are characterized by shallow water, the effects of which plays an important role in ship hydrodynamics.
Inland waterways require vessels of special design.
To which extent inland waterway vessels are suitable for use in coastal waters is a special subject of present research. Research in Ocean Engineering is related to offshore technology, seakeeping testing techniques, ocean mining and pollution abatement. Basic topics in the field of offshore technology are investigations of the behaviour of structures in regular waves or transient waves and wave groups. Construction phases, transit, installation and operation are analyzed separately. Numerical programs are available for hydrodynamically transparent and compact structures of any size and shape.