Hydrodynamics, a fundamental discipline in naval architecture and ocean engineering, is crucial for enhancing the operational performance of ships and offshore structures, ensuring maritime safety, and driving the industry's transition to green and low-carbon development. Amid the global push for "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality," naval architecture and ocean engineering face significant challenges, such as shifting from traditional energy systems to new energy technologies and from high-energy consumption to low-carbon operations. In this backdrop, hydrodynamics research must not only focus on performance optimization and safety enhancement but also integrate green technologies, new energy development, and intelligent innovation to inject new momentum into the sustainable development of the industry.

From May 11 to 14, 2025, the 40th International Workshop on Water Waves and Floating Bodies (IWWWFB2025) was held in Shanghai with great ceremony. This was the first time in the 40-year history of the series that the event took place in Shanghai. The event was organized by the School of Ocean and Civil Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the State Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering, with co-organization from the Shanghai Maritime Research Institute Co., Ltd., the 708th Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, Hohai University, and several other institutions. 

The workshop focused on cutting-edge research in naval architecture and ocean engineering. It addressed key topics such as the seakeeping of marine structures, fundamental hydrodynamic theories, the generation and evolution of extreme waves, and innovations in wave energy and floating wind turbines. Over 90 leading experts and scholars from more than 20 internationally renowned universities and research institutions participated in the workshop. These institutions included the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Tokyo, Newcastle University, the University of Adelaide, Seoul National University, and Bureau Veritas. They engaged in high-quality academic interactions on the frontiers of hydrodynamics technology, focusing on intelligent and green development. Notable figures such as Professor Alister Borthwick, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK; Professor Nick Newman, a member of the US National Academy of Engineering and a master of marine hydrodynamics; Professor Bernard Molin, the recipient of the international highest award in the ship and ocean field, the Weibull Medal, from France; and Professor Kashiwagi Masami, the former president of the Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers.

Intelligence and Green: A Global Hydrodynamics Workshop for the Future

The IWWWFB is one of the most influential international academic workshops in ship hydrodynamics and ocean engineering. First initiated by MIT in 1986, it was originally designed to foster academic  exchanges between scholars and engineers in the United States and the United Kingdom. Over nearly four decades, it has evolved into a premier platform for in-depth exchanges of hydrodynamic technologies among the world's leading maritime powers.

In the context of the accelerated evolution of intelligence and the current era's major goals of "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality," several key issues have come to the forefront: How can ship hydrodynamics research be oriented towards greening, intelligence, and the future? What are the prospects for the development of ship hydrodynamics, and what new challenges will it face in the new period? Over 90 participants from universities and research institutions worldwide engaged in intensive discussions over four days, holding 14 thematic sessions. While focusing on traditional areas such as the seakeeping of marine structures, the evolution of extreme waves, and fundamental hydrodynamic theories, four new thematic sections were specially added: "Green Ship Technology," "Low-Carbon Energy System Integration," "Safety Assessment of Offshore Operations," and "Innovations in Wave Energy and Floating Wind Power." These sessions generated over 50 high-quality academic reports, covering many important areas at the forefront of the industry and conducting in-depth discussions on the future development direction of ship hydrodynamics technology and the transformation and upgrading of the ship and ocean industry.

Internationalization and Innovation: Discussion on a New Prospect for Global Industry Cooperation

The opening ceremony of the workshop was presided over and addressed by Professor Xinshu Zhang, the chairman of the workshop and a faculty member from the School of Ocean and Civil Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Reflecting on the 40-year journey of the IWWWFB, Professor Zhang emphasized that green development and safety are the twin engines driving the future of ship hydrodynamics. By integrating new energy technologies, intelligent algorithms, and low-carbon design concepts, it is possible to enhance vessel efficiency and reshape a more eco-friendly model for marine engineering. This workshop has provided a high-level platform for global scholars to collaborate across disciplines. Through over 50 high-quality reports and 14 thematic discussions, it has outlined the technological roadmap for green shipping, safe development, and the utilization of marine new energy. It offers crucial support for the global ship and ocean industry as it moves towards the carbon-neutral era. The workshop looks forward to experts discussing cutting-edge technological issues in their respective fields, sharing innovative ideas and research achievements, promoting academic exchanges, technical cooperation, and disciplinary development, as well as talent cultivation. It aims to advance the interdisciplinary integration within the maritime and naval architecture fields and deepen global cooperation in these areas.

The workshop paid special attention to the topics of wave energy utilization and green energy development, inviting experts such as Professor Yonghwan Kim from Seoul National University in South Korea, Dr. Sime Malenica from Bureau Veritas in France, and Professor Peter Wellens from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands to serve as chairs for various thematic sessions and preside over academic exchanges. Many experts engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as the optimal layout of wave energy devices, energy absorption mechanisms, and the response of flexible structures. Additionally, a special session on "Applications of Machine Learning in Marine Hydrodynamics" was held, showcasing research progress in integrating artificial intelligence with traditional hydrodynamics and highlighting an emerging direction of interdisciplinary research. The IWWWFB Steering Committee meeting was also convened during the workshop to outline the future development of the workshop.

Cultivation and Heritage: Empowering the Next Generation of Ship and Ocean Industry Forces

The workshop awarded the Tuck Fellowship and the Newman-Evans Fellowship, two best paper awards, to encourage young scholars to continue their in-depth research in naval architecture and ocean engineering. Amy-Rose Westcott, a doctoral student from the University of Adelaide in Australia, received the Tuck Fellowship. Mingxuan Li from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Zhilong Wei from the Technical University of Denmark were awarded the Newman-Evans Fellowship. The participating experts unanimously agreed that IWWWFB 2025 not only brought together top global research resources but also provided young talents with opportunities for cross-cultural and multidisciplinary exchanges and collaboration in the field of naval architecture and ocean engineering.

The workshop not only showcased China's strength in research on naval architecture and ocean engineering but also provided a high-level platform for global scholars, promoting continuous development in wave and floating body interactions. Its successful hosting effectively enhanced the international academic influence of Chinese universities in naval architecture and ocean engineering. The workshop played a leading and exemplary role in supporting China's efforts to build a "strong maritime nation" and Shanghai's pursuit of becoming a "world shipping hub."

(For more workshop outcomes, please visit the official website at iwwwfb2025.sjtu.edu.cn to access the full texts of academic reports.)