Journal Description
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on marine science and engineering, published semimonthly online by MDPI. The Australia New Zealand Marine Biotechnology Society (ANZMBS) is affiliated with JMSE and its members receive discounts on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed with Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), Ei Compendex, GeoRef, Inspec, AGRIS, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Engineering, Marine) / CiteScore - Q2 (Ocean Engineering)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 15.6 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 1.9 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2025).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Journal Clusters of Water Resources: Water, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Hydrology, Resources, Oceans, Limnological Review, Coasts.
Impact Factor:
2.8 (2024);
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.8 (2024)
Latest Articles
Trajectory Tracking of the Operational Movement of a Deep-Sea Collector Based on Virtual Target Vehicle Reference
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010015 (registering DOI) - 21 Dec 2025
Abstract
In view of the requirements and characteristics of a deep-sea polymetallic nodule collector’s movements according to a planned path and speed during operation, a collector trajectory tracking system scheme based on virtual target vehicle reference is proposed. In this system, the virtual target
[...] Read more.
In view of the requirements and characteristics of a deep-sea polymetallic nodule collector’s movements according to a planned path and speed during operation, a collector trajectory tracking system scheme based on virtual target vehicle reference is proposed. In this system, the virtual target vehicle moves according to the planned path and speed, thereby generating a dynamic target path and speed. A fuzzy controller calculates the collector’s angular-velocity command based on the lateral position deviation and the heading-angle deviation between the collector and the target vehicle, and a proportional controller calculates the collector’s body linear velocity control command based on the longitudinal position deviation between the collector and the target vehicle. By integrating these two commands, the collector tracks the target vehicle and thereby realizes trajectory tracking of the planned path and speed. A control system is designed, and simulation studies are carried out. The results show that the designed system enables the collector to track the planned path and speed well under operational conditions. The trajectory tracking method based on virtual target vehicle reference can also form an organic integration of path planning and trajectory tracking, generate dynamic planned paths and speeds for the entire mining area, and realize movement of the collector along the planned path and speed throughout the whole operation.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Deep-Sea Mineral Resource Development Technology and Equipment)
Open AccessArticle
Turbidity Inversion from the ADCP Using a CNN-ResNet-RF Hybrid Model
by
Jin Liao, Bowen Li, Xuerong Cui, Anran Yao and Ruixiang Wen
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010014 (registering DOI) - 21 Dec 2025
Abstract
Addressing the limitations of traditional acoustic turbidity inversion models in complex marine environments—specifically their reliance on empirical parameters and lack of vertical resolution—this study presents a novel CNN-ResNet-RF hybrid model based on the simultaneous ADCP and turbidity observations in the Chengshantou sea area.
[...] Read more.
Addressing the limitations of traditional acoustic turbidity inversion models in complex marine environments—specifically their reliance on empirical parameters and lack of vertical resolution—this study presents a novel CNN-ResNet-RF hybrid model based on the simultaneous ADCP and turbidity observations in the Chengshantou sea area. Unlike conventional approaches, the proposed framework integrates deep spatio-temporal features automatically extracted by a ResNet-enhanced CNN, utilizing a Random Forest (RF) regressor for final prediction, thereby avoiding the limitations of artificial feature engineering. To ensure rigorous evaluation and mitigate stochastic bias, the model was validated using a 5-fold cross-validation strategy with dynamic Z-score normalization. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model significantly outperforms benchmark methods (CNN, RF, and CNN-RF), achieving an average R2 of 0.782, an MAE of 4.454, and a MAPE of 15.42% on the test sets. This study confirms that the hybrid framework successfully combines the feature extraction power of deep learning with the robustness of ensemble learning, providing a robust and high-precision tool for the vertical structural analysis of ocean turbidity.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Physical Oceanography)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Research on the IMOACO Path Planning Algorithm for Rescue AUVs
by
Zhongchao Deng, Yuang Gao, Shilin Han, Xiaokai Mu, Guiqiang Bai, Yifan Xue, Zhongben Zhu and Hongde Qin
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010013 (registering DOI) - 21 Dec 2025
Abstract
To address the challenges faced by autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in search and rescue missions—specifically, vulnerability to ocean current interference and low task efficiency in complex marine environments—this paper proposes an Improved Multi-objective Ant Colony Optimization (IMOACO) algorithm. By incorporating ocean current dynamics
[...] Read more.
To address the challenges faced by autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in search and rescue missions—specifically, vulnerability to ocean current interference and low task efficiency in complex marine environments—this paper proposes an Improved Multi-objective Ant Colony Optimization (IMOACO) algorithm. By incorporating ocean current dynamics and energy constraints, a current-guided multi-objective evaluation function and state transition function are constructed to guide AUVs to preferentially follow downstream paths. On this basis, the entropy weight method is integrated to enhance the heuristic function and pheromone update strategy of the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), and a dynamic priority strategy is employed to optimize the traversal sequence of multiple objectives. Grid-based simulations using real nautical charts and field trials with the “Xinghai 300R” AUV demonstrate that the proposed method significantly improves path smoothness and mission efficiency, with the IMOACO algorithm achieving a 34.7% increase in multi-objective search efficiency. The results indicate that this method is well-suited for multi-objective search and rescue missions in environments with strong ocean current disturbances, offering strong potential for practical engineering applications.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)
Open AccessArticle
Optimal SAR and Oil Spill Recovery Vessel Concept for Baltic Sea Operations
by
Justas Žaglinskis
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010012 (registering DOI) - 19 Dec 2025
Abstract
The Baltic Sea region presents challenging environmental and operational conditions for search and rescue (SAR) and oil spill recovery activities, including strong winds, high waves, seasonal ice, and low water temperatures. The current Lithuanian search and rescue and oil pollution response capabilities, particularly
[...] Read more.
The Baltic Sea region presents challenging environmental and operational conditions for search and rescue (SAR) and oil spill recovery activities, including strong winds, high waves, seasonal ice, and low water temperatures. The current Lithuanian search and rescue and oil pollution response capabilities, particularly the existing vessel “Šakiai”, are insufficient to meet modern operational and safety requirements. This study aims to determine the optimal concept and technical characteristics of a new vessel capable of operating effectively in Lithuanian maritime responsibility area. The research combines hydrometeorological data analysis, review of international regulatory frameworks, evaluation of equipment requirements, and bridge simulator modelling of two reference vessel concepts: patrol-type and supply-type. Additional oil spill dispersion modelling was performed using the simulation tool. Findings show that search and rescue tasks prioritize speed, while spill response operations require stability and maneuverability. Simulations indicate that patrol-type vessels reach search and rescue zones faster, while supply-type vessels provide superior station maintenance and equipment deployment in adverse conditions. The optimal vessel concept should be based on a supply-type hull with dynamic positioning, ≥15 kn speed, ≥113 t bollard pull, ≥6-day endurance and oil recovery arms with ≥40 m sweep width.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oil Spills in the Marine Environment)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Fixed-Time Preset Performance Sliding Mode Control for Underwater Manipulators Considering Input Saturation
by
Ran Wang, Weiquan Huang, Zixuan Li, Yanjie Song and He Wang
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010011 - 19 Dec 2025
Abstract
This paper addresses the trajectory tracking problem for a six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) underwater manipulator subject to complex disturbances and input saturation. It proposes a fixed-time preset performance sliding mode control method considering input saturation (FT-PP-SMC-IS), aiming to achieve rapid and stable tracking performance under
[...] Read more.
This paper addresses the trajectory tracking problem for a six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) underwater manipulator subject to complex disturbances and input saturation. It proposes a fixed-time preset performance sliding mode control method considering input saturation (FT-PP-SMC-IS), aiming to achieve rapid and stable tracking performance under these constraints. Firstly, to improve modeling accuracy, the Newton–Euler method and Morison’s equation are integrated to establish a more precise dynamic model of the underwater manipulator. Secondly, to balance dynamic and steady-state performance, a preset performance function is designed to constrain the tracking error boundaries. Based on dual-limit homogeneous theory, a fixed-time sliding mode surface is constructed, significantly enhancing the convergence speed and fixed-time stability. Furthermore, to suppress the effects of input saturation, a fixed-time auxiliary system is designed to compensate in real-time for deviations caused by actuator saturation. By separately constructing the sliding mode reaching law and equivalent control law, global fixed-time convergence of the system states is ensured. Based on Lyapunov stability theory, the fixed-time stability of the closed-loop system is rigorously proven. Finally, comparative simulation experiments verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)
Open AccessArticle
Detection of Ship-Related Pollution Transported into Klaipeda City
by
Paulius Rapalis, Giedrius Šilas, Vygintas Daukšys, Lukas Šaparnis, Karolina Dukanauskaitė and Austėja Lileikytė
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010010 - 19 Dec 2025
Abstract
Global shipping generates substantial emissions that can adversely affect air quality in port cities, yet the detectability of ship-related pollution by urban monitoring locations remains insufficiently understood. This study aims to identify the meteorological conditions under which ship exhaust plumes can be detected
[...] Read more.
Global shipping generates substantial emissions that can adversely affect air quality in port cities, yet the detectability of ship-related pollution by urban monitoring locations remains insufficiently understood. This study aims to identify the meteorological conditions under which ship exhaust plumes can be detected at a stationary air-quality monitoring station located 1.4 km from the Port of Klaipeda. Night-time particulate matter and NO measurements from an AQMesh station were synchronized with Automatic Identification System (AIS) ship-tracking data, and an artificial neural network was applied to determine the environmental parameters most strongly associated with detectable pollution peaks. Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) was used to map the spatial patterns of ship activity by vessel type. The results indicate that plume detection is most likely to be detected with moderate wind speeds (8–12.5 m/s for PM and 7.5–9.6 m/s for NO), elevated humidity (>84%), and higher-pressure ranges for particulate matter. Warmer night-time conditions further enhance pollutant transport by reducing atmospheric stability. KDE analysis shows that potential pollutant accumulation zones differ by vessel type, with the most intense hotspots forming near anchorage locations rather than along transit routes. Overall, the findings demonstrate that ship-related pollution can be detected at distances exceeding 1 km under specific meteorological conditions and highlight the parameters that most strongly govern plume penetration into the urban environment.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Marine Pollution)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
An Indirect Foot-End Touchdown Detection Method for the Underwater Hexapod Robot
by
Zonglin Liu, Meng Wang, Tong Ge, Rui Miao and Gangtai Lu
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010009 - 19 Dec 2025
Abstract
The underwater hexapod robot has advantages such as lower energy consumption and reduced environmental interference compared to ROVs and AUVs. The foot-end contact detection with the seabed is the key technology for adapting to complex terrains. This paper focuses on the ‘Dragon Crab’
[...] Read more.
The underwater hexapod robot has advantages such as lower energy consumption and reduced environmental interference compared to ROVs and AUVs. The foot-end contact detection with the seabed is the key technology for adapting to complex terrains. This paper focuses on the ‘Dragon Crab’ underwater hexapod robot developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and proposes an indirect detection method that does not require foot-end contact sensors. By establishing the kinematic and dynamic models of the robot’s legs, combined with multi-order polynomial trajectory planning to reduce non-contact force interference, the foot-contact determination condition is defined. Through simulation experiments and force analysis of the legs, the contact detection parameters are estimated. Then, single-leg contact tests are conducted to obtain joint motor torque variation curves and foot-end height variation curves through the kinematic model, verifying the proposed contact detection conditions and parameters. Finally, the method is applied to underwater obstacle-crossing experiments of the underwater hexapod robot using triangular and wave gait patterns. Experimental results show that the method can accurately identify the foot-end contact state and has high applicability in complex underwater terrains.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Underwater Robots)
Open AccessArticle
Research on Ship Hull Hybrid Surface Mesh Generation Algorithm Based on Ship Surface Curvature Features
by
Wenyang Duan, Peixin Zhang, Kuo Yang, Limin Huang, Yuanqing Sun and Jikang Chen
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010008 - 19 Dec 2025
Abstract
Mesh generation is a critical preprocessing step in Computational Fluid Dynamics. In ship hydrodynamics, existing mesh generation methods lack adaptability to complex hull surface geometries, necessitating repeated optimization. To address these issues, a new hybrid mesh generation strategy was proposed, integrating Non-Uniform Rational
[...] Read more.
Mesh generation is a critical preprocessing step in Computational Fluid Dynamics. In ship hydrodynamics, existing mesh generation methods lack adaptability to complex hull surface geometries, necessitating repeated optimization. To address these issues, a new hybrid mesh generation strategy was proposed, integrating Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline surface interpolation, advancing front technique, hull surface curvature features, and mesh quality evaluation parameters. Firstly, the ship hull surface was partitioned into multiple regions, and each region was assigned a specific mesh type. Subsequently, the adaptively sized mesh was generated based on local curvature variations. Finally, the angle skewness was employed as an objective function to improve the mesh quality. In addition, considering the actual ship model as an example, the mesh generated by our method and conventional Laplacian smoothing method were used to perform first-order potential flow simulations, and the results were compared against the convergence values. The results indicated that our method has lower root mean square errors in computing the total non-viscous force, steady drift force and ship hull free floating Response Amplitude Operator. This method is applicable to numerical simulations of the ship potential flow, providing high-quality hull meshes for hydrodynamic analysis.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
New Taxonomic Insights into Paradraconema (Nematoda: Draconematidae) from Korea: Valid Establishment of P. tamraense sp. nov. from Jeju Island and Description of P. gangchii sp. nov. from Dokdo Island
by
Seungyeop Han and Hyun Soo Rho
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010007 - 19 Dec 2025
Abstract
We describe two new species of Paradraconema from subtidal sediments of Korean waters: P. tamraense sp. nov. from Jeju Island and P. gangchii sp. nov. from Dokdo Island. Although the epithet tamraense had appeared previously in the literature, it was treated as a
[...] Read more.
We describe two new species of Paradraconema from subtidal sediments of Korean waters: P. tamraense sp. nov. from Jeju Island and P. gangchii sp. nov. from Dokdo Island. Although the epithet tamraense had appeared previously in the literature, it was treated as a nomen nudum and therefore lacked nomenclatural availability under the ICZN. In this study, the species is newly and validly established based on a critical reassessment of the original material, supported by new line drawings and detailed observations using differential interference contrast (DIC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Paradraconema amraense sp. nov. is characterized by a slender body; pharyngeal annules bearing weakly developed longitudinal bars with smooth margins; a narrow lateral field at midbody; abundant and relatively long somatic setae; a head capsule partially covered with vacuolated ornamentation; an amphidial fovea that is elongate loop-shaped in males and circular, unispiral in females; eleven cephalic adhesion tubes (CAT); and comparatively long sublateral adhesion tubes (SlAT) and subventral adhesion tubes (SvAT). Paradraconema gangchii sp. nov. is characterized by a slender body; cuticle ornamentation with numerous longitudinal bars bearing finely crenulated margins in the pharyngeal region; sparse and short somatic setae; a head capsule fully covered with vacuolar ornamentation (reticulate under SEM); an amphidial fovea that is elongate loop-shaped in males and circular, unispiral, slightly over one coil in females; relatively short spicules (36–46 µm); eleven CAT; and relatively short SlAT and SvAT. SEM revealed several fine morphological features not previously documented in the genus, including the precise number and arrangement of CAT and detailed structures of the cuticle ornamentation and lip region. This study provides comprehensive SEM-based documentation for Paradraconema, increases the number of valid species in the genus to thirteen, and enhances our understanding of draconematid diversity in the northwestern Pacific.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Species Diversity and Taxonomy of Marine Nematodes)
Open AccessArticle
Wave Direction Classification for Advancing Ships Using Artificial Neural Networks Based on Motion Response Spectra
by
Taehyun Yoon, Young Il Park, Won-Ju Lee and Jeong-Hwan Kim
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010006 - 19 Dec 2025
Abstract
This study proposes a novel artificial neural network-based methodology for classifying the incident wave direction during ship navigation using the heave–roll–pitch motion response spectra as input. The proposed model demonstrated a balanced performance with an overall accuracy of approximately 0.888, effectively classifying the
[...] Read more.
This study proposes a novel artificial neural network-based methodology for classifying the incident wave direction during ship navigation using the heave–roll–pitch motion response spectra as input. The proposed model demonstrated a balanced performance with an overall accuracy of approximately 0.888, effectively classifying the wave direction into three major categories: head-sea, beam-sea, and following-sea. The methodology utilizes Response Amplitude Operators derived from linear potential flow theory to generate motion response spectra, which are then used to classify the incident wave direction. The model effectively learns the frequency-distribution characteristics of the response spectrum, enabling wave direction classification without the need for complex inverse analysis procedures. This approach is significant in that it allows wave direction recognition solely based on measurable ship motion responses, without the need for additional external sensors or mathematical modeling. This data-driven approach has strong potential for integration into autonomous ship situational awareness modules and real-time wave monitoring technologies. However, the study simplified the directional domain into three representative groups, and the model was validated primarily using a numerically generated dataset, indicating the need for future improvements. Future research will expand the dataset to include a broader range of sea states, improve directional resolution, and explore continuous wave direction prediction. Additionally, further validation using field-measured data will be conducted to assess the real-time applicability of the proposed model.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Autonomous Ship and Harbor Maneuvering: Modeling and Control)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
High-Resolution Modeling of Storm Surge Response to Typhoon Doksuri (2023) in Fujian, China: Impacts of Wind Field Fusion, Parameter Sensitivity, and Sea-Level Rise
by
Ziyi Xiao and Yimin Lu
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010005 - 19 Dec 2025
Abstract
To quantitatively assess the storm surge induced by Super Typhoon Doksuri (2023) along the complex coastline of Fujian Province, a high-resolution Finite-Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM) was developed, driven by a refined Holland–ERA5 hybrid wind field with integrated physical corrections. The hybrid approach
[...] Read more.
To quantitatively assess the storm surge induced by Super Typhoon Doksuri (2023) along the complex coastline of Fujian Province, a high-resolution Finite-Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM) was developed, driven by a refined Holland–ERA5 hybrid wind field with integrated physical corrections. The hybrid approach retains the spatiotemporal coherence of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA5 reanalysis in the far field, while incorporating explicit inner-core adjustments for quadrant asymmetry, sea-surface-temperature dependency, and bounded decay after landfall. A series of numerical experiments were conducted, including paired tidal-only and full storm-forcing simulations, along with a systematic sensitivity ensemble in which bottom-friction parameters were perturbed and the anomalous (typhoon-related) wind component was scaled by factors ranging from 0.8 to 1.2. Static sea-level rise (SLR) scenarios (+0.3 m, +0.5 m, +1.0 m) were imposed to evaluate their influence on extreme water levels. Storm surge extremes were analyzed using a multi-scale coastal buffer framework, comparing two extreme extraction methods: element-mean followed by time-maximum, and node-maximum then assigned to elements. The model demonstrates high skill in reproducing astronomical tides (Pearson r = 0.979–0.993) and hourly water level series (Pearson r > 0.98) at key validation stations. Results indicate strong spatial heterogeneity in the sensitivity of surge levels to both bottom friction and wind intensity. While total peak water levels rise nearly linearly with SLR, the storm surge component itself exhibits a nonlinear response. The choice of extreme-extraction method significantly influences design values, with the node-based approach yielding peak values 0.8% to 4.5% higher than the cell-averaged method. These findings highlight the importance of using physically motivated adjustments to wind fields, extreme-value analysis across multiple coastal buffer scales, and uncertainty quantification in future SLR-informed coastal risk assessments. By integrating analytical, physics-based inner-core corrections with sensitivity experiments and multi-scale analysis, this study provides an enhanced framework for storm surge modeling suited to engineering and coastal management applications.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Physical Oceanography)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Characteristics of Coastal Trapped Waves Generated by Typhoon ‘Soudelor’ in the Northwestern South China Sea
by
Xuefeng Cao, Lunyu Wu, Chuanxi Xing, Maochong Shi and Peifang Guo
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010004 - 19 Dec 2025
Abstract
Coastal Trapped Waves (CTWs) represent an important class of mesoscale fluctuations in nearshore shelf regions and play a crucial role in modulating coastal circulation. The South China Sea (SCS), the largest semi-enclosed marginal sea in the western Pacific Ocean, features a continental shelf
[...] Read more.
Coastal Trapped Waves (CTWs) represent an important class of mesoscale fluctuations in nearshore shelf regions and play a crucial role in modulating coastal circulation. The South China Sea (SCS), the largest semi-enclosed marginal sea in the western Pacific Ocean, features a continental shelf approximately 200 km wide. During summer, the SCS is frequently impacted by typhoons, which often trigger significant CTWs. This study investigates the characteristics of CTWs generated by Typhoon ‘Soudelor’ (No. 1513) in the northwestern SCS, based on current observations and numerical model simulations. Under the influence of Soudelor, CTWs characterized by elevated water levels nearshore and depressed water levels offshore were initially generated by wind-induced Ekman transport in the Taiwan Strait. These waves subsequently propagated southwestward along the coastline with phase velocities ranging from 7.2 to 18.3 m/s. Model results indicate that the CTW influenced current fields up to 160 km offshore, with a maximum CTW-induced current velocity exceeding 0.7 m/s. The vertical structure of the CTW-induced current field exhibited a barotropic characteristic. The influence of CTWs on current fields diminished with propagation distance, accompanied by a reduction in the induced current velocity. This attenuation was particularly pronounced between Xiamen (XM) and Shanwei (SW). Sensitivity experiments further revealed that the slowed propagation phase velocity of CTWs between XM and SW was attributable to strong reflection, scattering, and nonlinear effects caused by the abrupt topographic changes of the Taiwan Bank.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Physical Oceanography)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
A U-Net-Based Prediction of Surface Pressure and Wall Shear Stress Distributions for Suboff Hull Form Family
by
Yongmin Seok, Jeongbeom Seo and Inwon Lee
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010003 - 19 Dec 2025
Abstract
Recent developments in machine learning have enabled prediction models that estimate not only hydrodynamic force coefficients but also full CFD fields. Unlike conventional surrogate models that focus primarily on integrated quantities, such approaches can provide real-time predictions of pressure and wall shear stress
[...] Read more.
Recent developments in machine learning have enabled prediction models that estimate not only hydrodynamic force coefficients but also full CFD fields. Unlike conventional surrogate models that focus primarily on integrated quantities, such approaches can provide real-time predictions of pressure and wall shear stress distributions, making them highly promising for applications in ship hydrodynamic design where detailed surface flow characteristics are essential. In this study, we address the low prediction accuracy observed near protruding appendages in U-Net-based field prediction models by introducing a positional encoding (PE)-enhanced data processing scheme and evaluating its performance across a dataset of 500 SUBOFF variants. While PE enhances prediction accuracy, especially for the sail, its effectiveness is constrained by the boundary discontinuity introduced at the 12 o’clock seam. To resolve this structural limitation and ensure consistent accuracy across components, the projection seam is relocated to the 6 o’clock position, where high-gradient flow features are less concentrated. This modification produces clear quantitative gains: the drag-integrated MAPE decreases from 3.61% to 1.85%, and the mean field-level errors of and are reduced by approximately 5.6% across the dataset. These results demonstrate that combining PE with seam relocation substantially enhances the model’s ability to reconstruct fine-scale flow features, improving the overall robustness and physical reliability of U-Net-based surface field prediction for submarine hull forms.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Optimization of Ship Hydrodynamics)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
A Modeling Approach to Aggregated Noise Effects of Offshore Wind Farms in the Canary and North Seas
by
Ion Urtiaga-Chasco and Alonso Hernández-Guerra
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010002 - 19 Dec 2025
Abstract
Offshore wind farms (OWFs) represent an increasingly important renewable energy source, yet their environmental impacts, particularly underwater noise, require systematic study. Estimating the operational source level (SL) of a single turbine and predicting sound pressure levels (SPLs) at sensitive locations can be challenging.
[...] Read more.
Offshore wind farms (OWFs) represent an increasingly important renewable energy source, yet their environmental impacts, particularly underwater noise, require systematic study. Estimating the operational source level (SL) of a single turbine and predicting sound pressure levels (SPLs) at sensitive locations can be challenging. Here, we integrate a turbine SL prediction algorithm with open-source propagation models in a Jupyter Notebook (version 7.4.7) to streamline aggregated SPL estimation for OWFs. Species-specific audiograms and weighting functions are included to assess potential biological impacts. The tool is applied to four planned OWFs, two in the Canary region and two in the Belgian and German North Seas, under conservative assumptions. Results indicate that at 10 m/s wind speed, a single turbine’s SL reaches 143 dB re 1 µPa in the one-third octave band centered at 160 Hz. Sensitivity analyses indicate that variations in wind speed can cause the operational source level at 160 Hz to increase by up to approximately 2 dB re 1 µPa2/Hz from the nominal value used in this study, while differences in sediment type can lead to transmission loss variations ranging from 0 to on the order of 100 dB, depending on bathymetry and range. Maximum SPLs of 112 dB re 1 µPa are predicted within OWFs, decreasing to ~50 dB re 1 µPa at ~100 km. Within OWFs, Low-Frequency (LF) cetaceans and Phocid Carnivores in Water (PCW) would likely perceive the noise; National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) marine mammals’ auditory-injury thresholds are not exceeded, but behavioral-harassment thresholds may be crossed. Outside the farms, only LF audiograms are crossed. In high-traffic North Sea regions, OWF noise is largely masked, whereas in lower-noise areas, such as the Canary Islands, it can exceed ambient levels, highlighting the importance of site-specific assessments, accurate ambient noise monitoring and propagation modeling for ecological impact evaluation.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Underwater Acoustics: Advances in Modelling, Measurement, and Technological Applications)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
An Adaptive Nudging Scheme with Spatially Varying Gain for Improving the Ability of Ocean Temperature Assimilation in SPEEDY-NEMO
by
Yushan Wang, Fei Zheng, Changxiang Yan and Muhammad Adnan Abid
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010001 - 19 Dec 2025
Abstract
Nudging remains a cost-effective data assimilation technique in coupled climate models, yet conventional schemes with fixed spatial strengths struggle to represent heterogeneous ocean processes. This study introduces an adaptive nudging framework in which a spatially varying gain matrix dynamically balances model and observational
[...] Read more.
Nudging remains a cost-effective data assimilation technique in coupled climate models, yet conventional schemes with fixed spatial strengths struggle to represent heterogeneous ocean processes. This study introduces an adaptive nudging framework in which a spatially varying gain matrix dynamically balances model and observational errors, providing a more physically consistent determination of nudging coefficients. Implemented in the SPEEDY-NEMO coupled model, the method is systematically evaluated against a traditional latitude-dependent scheme. Results show substantial improvements in subsurface temperature assimilation across key regions, including the Niño3.4, tropical Indian Ocean, North Pacific, North Atlantic, and northeastern Pacific. The most pronounced gains occur above and within the thermocline, where strong stratification renders fixed nudging strengths inadequate, yielding a 20–30% reduction in RMSE and a 30–50% increase in correlation. In mid- to high-latitude regions, improvements extend to greater depths, consistent with deeper thermocline structures. The adaptive framework corrects both systematic bias and variance, enhancing not only the mean state but also variability representation. Additional benefits are found in salinity, currents, and sea surface height, demonstrating that spatially adaptive nudging provides a more effective and practical alternative for improving ocean state estimation in coupled models.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Physical Oceanography)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Experimental Study of the Angle of Repose of Coral Sands
by
Zhen Yao, Jie Chen, Changbo Jiang, Zhiyuan Wu, Bin Deng, Yuannan Long, Hongtao Zou, Jinwei Zhang and Runze Bai
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(12), 2410; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13122410 - 18 Dec 2025
Abstract
The angle of repose is a fundamental parameter for assessing the stability of coral reefs. However, predictive models for this angle are currently lacking. In this study, a series of laboratory experiments were undertaken to investigate the angle of repose by varying moisture
[...] Read more.
The angle of repose is a fundamental parameter for assessing the stability of coral reefs. However, predictive models for this angle are currently lacking. In this study, a series of laboratory experiments were undertaken to investigate the angle of repose by varying moisture content, particle shape, and particle size. Based on our experimental data, variation in the angle of repose with moisture content is classified into five distinct zones. It is demonstrated that the range of moisture content for each zone varies with particle size. Coral sands of dendrite, flake, rod, and block particles have a descending order of angle of repose, as demonstrated for a sieve size of 4.5 mm. The angle of repose for dry, submerged, and steady coral sands exhibits a correlation with the nominal diameter of particle size. Finally, extended models are proposed for predicting the angle of repose of coral sands (R2 = 0.8, Dn50 = 0.317−5.470). To facilitate use of these models, a linear relationship between sieve particle size diameter, nominal particle size diameter, and Corey shape factor, allowing for conversion among these parameters, is established. This study thereby helps to enhance our understanding of how moisture content affects angle of repose and improve our ability to predict the angle for coral grains with intricate geometries.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
The Influence of Submesoscale Motions on Upper-Ocean Chlorophyll: Case of Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME)
by
Ekoué Ewane Blaise Arnold, Richard Kindong, Ebango Ngando Narcisse, Pandong Njomoue Achile and Song Hu
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(12), 2409; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13122409 - 18 Dec 2025
Abstract
Submesoscale dynamics are critical modulators of upper-ocean biogeochemistry, yet their net influence on chlorophyll concentrations across seasonal to interannual timescales, particularly within productive regions like the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME), remains poorly understood. This study quantifies these complex relationships by analyzing
[...] Read more.
Submesoscale dynamics are critical modulators of upper-ocean biogeochemistry, yet their net influence on chlorophyll concentrations across seasonal to interannual timescales, particularly within productive regions like the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME), remains poorly understood. This study quantifies these complex relationships by analyzing 22 years (2001–2022) of physical and biological data. We examined the link between surface chlorophyll (CHL) and key physical drivers: sea level anomaly (SLA) and submesoscale intensity, quantified by the Rossby number (Ro). Using both cross-correlation analysis and Generalized Linear Models (GLMs), our analyses reveal a multi-scale set of spatially dependent and time-lagged biogeochemical responses. At the basin scale, a key finding from cross-correlation is a significant positive correlation where high SLA precedes a rise in CHL by approximately six months, indicating a delayed ecosystem response to large-scale physical forcing. At the event scale, GLMs show the specific impact of eddies is critical: short-lived cyclonic eddies correlate with a significant increase in CHL (~4.6%) in the southern zone, while anticyclonic eddies are associated with a pronounced decrease in CHL (~97.7%) in the central zone during the austral winter. These findings demonstrate that both large-scale preconditions and localized submesoscale features are essential drivers of vertical nutrient transport and the distribution of primary productivity within the BCLME.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Physical Oceanography)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Linking Shoreline Change, Environmental Forcings, and Sedimentological Resilience in Nourished Beaches of Cape May and Wildwood, New Jersey, USA: A Multi-Decadal Synthesis
by
Divomi Balasuriya and Greg Pope
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(12), 2408; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13122408 - 18 Dec 2025
Abstract
Beach nourishment is a widely used strategy to mitigate coastal erosion, yet its long-term geological impacts remain poorly understood. This study provides a multi-decadal synthesis of shoreline change and sedimentological evolution on the nourished beaches of Cape May and Wildwood, New Jersey, USA.
[...] Read more.
Beach nourishment is a widely used strategy to mitigate coastal erosion, yet its long-term geological impacts remain poorly understood. This study provides a multi-decadal synthesis of shoreline change and sedimentological evolution on the nourished beaches of Cape May and Wildwood, New Jersey, USA. Using shoreline positions from 1991 to 2024, we identify contrasting trajectories: Wildwood exhibits ‘persistent transition’ with severe northern erosion (EPR: −10.0 m/yr) feeding southwards accretion, while Cape May demonstrates a ‘managed equilibrium’ with widespread accretion (mean EPR: +1.15 m/yr). Wave energy correlations account for less than 15% of shoreline variability, indicating natural drivers have been superseded by human sediment inputs. Direct sediment comparison shows substantial textural transformation, with median grain sizes increasing from 153 to 435 μm to 467–982 μm and sorting degrading from very well to moderately well sorted, reflecting sustained disequilibrium. These findings are synthesized into a conceptual model where nourishment initiates feedback cycles that create human-dependent morphodynamic trajectories. This study concludes that the long-term resilience of developed coasts will depend on a strategic evolution from managing ‘sand as volume’ toward stewarding ‘sediment as a system,’ where textural compatibility is a primary determinant of success.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Marine Environmental Science)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Numerical Analysis Comparison Between ANSYS AQWA and OrcaFlex for a Hollow Box-Shaped Floating Structure
by
Se Hwan Park, Sang Gyu Cheon and Woo Chul Chung
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(12), 2407; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13122407 - 18 Dec 2025
Abstract
This study presents a numerical comparison between ANSYS AQWA (2023 R2) and the OrcaFlex package (OrcaWave + OrcaFlex) for a 10 × 10 × 2 m rectangular floating structure. The hydrodynamic coefficients and displacement/load RAOs obtained from the two solvers exhibit nearly identical
[...] Read more.
This study presents a numerical comparison between ANSYS AQWA (2023 R2) and the OrcaFlex package (OrcaWave + OrcaFlex) for a 10 × 10 × 2 m rectangular floating structure. The hydrodynamic coefficients and displacement/load RAOs obtained from the two solvers exhibit nearly identical behavior, with deviations below 1% across all six motion modes. Under irregular wave conditions (Hs = 7 m, Tp = 8 s, 0° heading) and three mooring line lengths (145, 150, and 155 m), both solvers produced comparable mean surge motions and mean mooring tensions. However, OrcaFlex predicted 40–50% higher peak tensions due to its fully dynamic representation of slack–taut transitions and snap loading effects, whereas AQWA’s quasi-static catenary formulation filtered out these short-duration peaks. These findings confirm that although the two solvers are highly consistent in frequency-domain hydrodynamics, their time-domain predictions diverge when nonlinear mooring behavior becomes dominant. The study provides a transparent and reproducible benchmarking framework for cross-validation of potential-flow-based tools used in floating offshore structure design.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Autonomous Ship and Harbor Maneuvering: Modeling and Control)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Improve Initial Field Estimation with Deep Learning in Data Assimilation for Climate Models
by
Jiakuan Wang, Liang Zhang, Yi Lin and Xuefeng Zhang
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(12), 2406; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13122406 - 18 Dec 2025
Abstract
In marine and coastal climate prediction, the integration of multiple imperfect models can improve accuracy by leveraging their complementary strengths. This study investigates this potential by developing a hybrid data assimilation framework that couples a biased physical model with a deep learning model.
[...] Read more.
In marine and coastal climate prediction, the integration of multiple imperfect models can improve accuracy by leveraging their complementary strengths. This study investigates this potential by developing a hybrid data assimilation framework that couples a biased physical model with a deep learning model. A neural network learns an optimal fitting coefficient to weight the contributions of both models throughout the assimilation process. We evaluated the framework in twin experiments based on a five-variable coupled climate model and a trained LSTM. Evaluations using root-mean-square error, frequency histograms, and probability density functions consistently demonstrated that the multi-model synthesis achieves superior assimilation performance compared to the single-model approach. Furthermore, when employing different analysis values for prediction, the overall prediction error of the multi-model coupled scheme is reduced to approximately 50% of that from single-model predictions. The promising results from this conceptual model study preliminarily validate the potential of the multi-model coupling approach, offering valuable insights into its potential application to more realistic oceanographic models.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ocean and Global Climate)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Journal Menu
► ▼ Journal Menu-
- JMSE Home
- Aims & Scope
- Editorial Board
- Reviewer Board
- Topical Advisory Panel
- Instructions for Authors
- Special Issues
- Topics
- Sections
- Article Processing Charge
- Indexing & Archiving
- Editor’s Choice Articles
- Most Cited & Viewed
- Journal Statistics
- Journal History
- Journal Awards
- Society Collaborations
- Conferences
- Editorial Office
Journal Browser
► ▼ Journal BrowserHighly Accessed Articles
Latest Books
E-Mail Alert
News
Topics
Topic in
Applied Sciences, Climate, Ecologies, JMSE, Water, Sustainability
Climate Change and Aquatic Ecosystems: Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation
Topic Editors: Helena Veríssimo, Tiago VerdelhosDeadline: 31 December 2025
Topic in
Atmosphere, JMSE, Sustainability, Water
Sustainable River and Lake Restoration: From Challenges to Solutions
Topic Editors: Yun Li, Hong Yang, Xiaogang Wang, Zhengxian Zhang, Boran ZhuDeadline: 31 January 2026
Topic in
Applied Sciences, Energies, Geosciences, JMSE, Minerals
Formation Mechanism and Quantitative Evaluation of Deep to Ultra-Deep High-Quality Reservoirs
Topic Editors: Jianhua He, Andrew D. La Croix, Jim Underschultz, Hucheng Deng, Hao Xu, Ruyue Wang, Rui LiuDeadline: 31 March 2026
Topic in
Clean Technol., Energies, JMSE, Processes, Sustainability
Marine Energy
Topic Editors: Hongsheng Dong, Xiang Sun, Zeshao YouDeadline: 30 April 2026
Conferences
Special Issues
Special Issue in
JMSE
Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit
Guest Editors: Roohollah Babaei Mahani, Sirous YasseriDeadline: 25 December 2025
Special Issue in
JMSE
Monitoring Coastal Systems and Improving Climate Change Resilience
Guest Editors: Veljko Srzić, Luigi TosiDeadline: 25 December 2025
Special Issue in
JMSE
Novelties in Marine Propulsion
Guest Editors: Andrea Magrini, Nastia Degiuli, Filippo AvanziDeadline: 25 December 2025
Special Issue in
JMSE
The Application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in a Marine Context - Edition II
Guest Editors: Fausto Pedro García Márquez, Marco CococcioniDeadline: 25 December 2025




