14/11/2025
Smarter vessel design, quieter oceans
As sustainability expectations rise in the maritime industry, underwater noise reduction is moving rapidly up the agenda. While current guidelines from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) remain voluntary, future regulations are likely to make underwater radiated noise (URN) limits mandatory. Ports such as Vancouver and Prince Rupert are already incentivizing quieter vessels through tax reductions, underlining the growing importance of addressing URN today. Taking proactive steps now not only reduces environmental impact but also strengthens reputation and future-proofs fleets against upcoming regulations.
Why this is important?
Underwater noise, primarily generated by ship propellers and engines, can significantly disrupt marine life. Marine mammals depend on sound for navigation, communication, and hunting, and prolonged exposure to URN can cause stress, disorientation, and interfere with their natural behaviours. Reducing this impact not only protects marine ecosystems but also enhances vessel compliance and operational flexibility.
Elomatic’s solutions
Elomatic has developed advanced tools and methods to predict and minimize underwater noise during both the design and operational phases. Using cutting-edge Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Elomatic can simulate and analyze key noise sources, including cavitation, turbulence, and machinery vibration. Techniques such as Detached Eddy Simulation to model turbulent flow, the Schnerr-Sauer model to predict cavitation behaviour, and the Williams-Hawkings equation to calculate how sound propagates through water, provide deep insight into how and where noise is generated and transmitted.
Benefits for Designers and Shipowners
New vessels: Optimize hull forms, propellers, and machinery layouts to minimize cavitation and vibration – reducing underwater radiated noise (URN) and energy consumption.
Existing vessels: CFD-based studies reveal the most effective retrofitting options to lower URN, cut fuel consumption, and ensure compliance with tightening noise and emissions regulations.
In practice, Elomatic’s services allow ship designers and owners to future-proof their fleets. Designers can create quieter, more efficient ships without the need for costly prototypes, while owners can retrofit vessels to meet regulatory standards and benefit from port-based incentives for noise reduction.
With decades of experience in maritime engineering, Elomatic combines innovation with practicality. Whether you need concept development, detailed design, or project management, Elomatic helps you build and operate vessels that meet future environmental requirements, quieter, cleaner, and more sustainable.