The research project TODDIS – Transferring Operational Data into Design Information for Ships – has won the 2025 RAAK Award, the national prize for the best practice-based research, and even secured the audience prize. With this project, the Maritime Innovative Technologies research group set course in 2020 toward a data-driven future for the shipping industry.
Five years on, the harbour is almost in sight: the project will conclude in January 2026. ‘The tools, insights and partnerships that have emerged now form a solid foundation for tomorrow’s maritime sector,’ conclude Lector of Maritime Innovative Technologies at NHL Stenden University of Applied Science Herbert Koelman and PhD researcher Sietske de Geus-Moussault.
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Using operational data
When TODDIS began in 2020, one central question stood out: how do you translate the vast quantities of operational ship data into practical tools for shipowners, shipyards and designers?
‘Modern vessels constantly collect information on speed, fuel consumption, weather conditions, wave height and engine performance,’ explains Koelman. ‘But that wealth of data was barely being used. TODDIS aimed to apply sensor data and smart algorithms to design and operate ships that are more efficient, smarter and more sustainable.’
Sharing data
Together with partners such as Wagenborg, Royal Van Oord, Damen, Conoship International, TU Delft, the Royal Netherlands Navy and various universities of applied sciences, the TODDIS team worked from 2020 onwards on developing algorithms and tools.
PhD researcher De Geus-Moussault was involved from the start. ‘What we didn’t anticipate was the initial reluctance among companies to share their data. Building trust took time, but gradually more parties shared their information as they realised that data sharing leads to smarter decisions and more sustainable outcomes. That insight may well be the most important seed TODDIS has planted.’
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Practical tools in use
Despite the slow start, Koelman and De Geus-Moussault are proud of the results after five years.
‘We now have practical tools that shipowners, shipyards and design offices are actively using,’ says Koelman. ‘Design office DEKC uses TODDIS algorithms to optimise its vessel designs for the energy transition. Royal Van Oord uses the tools to better predict sailing routes and maintenance. Damen Shipyards used TODDIS analyses for the electric ferries in Copenhagen, improving charging strategies and battery use.’
TODDIS has also created a strong network of companies that recognise the value of knowledge sharing. De Geus-Moussault: ‘The tools we developed aren’t meant to design a fully new sustainable ship all at once. In fact, our algorithms often contribute to invisible improvements. But by performing maintenance more efficiently or sailing more economically in certain conditions, you gain a percentage of improvement each year. A ship lasts roughly thirty years, so that really adds up.’
Fuel for sustainability
The strength of TODDIS lies in the broad use of multiple data sources. In her PhD research, De Geus-Moussault combines ship sensor data with, among others, Copernicus weather data, building a rich picture of the conditions in which vessels operate.
‘The results help vessels sail more efficiently, which is a big step toward designing future low-emission ships. I can see TODDIS insights now being taken up by the sector, including within the Maritime Master Plan – the national programme focused on jointly developing and building climate-neutral vessels,’ states De Geus-Moussault.
This puts the Netherlands among the frontrunners, the researchers say. Koelman: ‘As a research group, we remain involved in the follow-up. For example, our maritime research team, as part of the Maritime Institute Willem Barentsz (MIWB) is contributing to the SEUS research programme, which continues the push toward the vessel designs of the future.’
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Next generation at the helm
Besides national and international impact, TODDIS has benefitted the university itself. De Geus-Moussault: ‘TODDIS made a major contribution to our teaching. We developed the Maritime Data Science minor, with which we train enthusiastic groups of students each year for a career in the maritime sector. The sector faces the enormous task of achieving climate-neutral shipping by 2050. With TODDIS, we show that data and algorithms are indispensable tools in reaching that goal. The next generation at the helm will be the generation that uses data as its new compass.’
Picture: TODDIS project being awarded the RAAK Award and RAAK Audience Award (photo by NHL Stenden).
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