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Case Study

Stone Marine Propulsion + University of Strathclyde

Develop an automated process for large ship propeller design

Project workflow

Stone Marine Propulsion

We are a designer and manufacturer of ship propellers. We can trace our historyback to the earliest days of propeller manufacturing in the 19th Century, when wewere pioneers of screw propulsion. We provide customers with the latest and mostefficient propulsions, for whatever the vessels size and use, whether commercial,naval or leisure.

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What was the need?

The Challenge

The marine industry is under increasing pressure to maximise propulsion efficiency while adhering to stringent environmental regulations. While Stone Marine’s established design methodologies consistently deliver high-performance solutions, the industry’s shift toward aggressive decarbonisation targets requires even more agile and iterative optimisation cycles. The primary challenge is scaling engineering throughput to meet these future demands, as industry-standard, high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD), while highly accurate, limits the volume of iterations that can be explored within standard project timelines.

This challenge is particularly acute during the tendering phase. Accurate cost forecasting requires substantial preliminary design work, which traditionally demands significant engineering hours on projects that have not yet been secured. By accelerating this process and enhancing the precision of preliminary designs during the tendering phase, the project allows for even more bespoke and tailored solutions to be presented to clients at the earliest stages, ensuring maximum confidence in predicted performance outcomes.

Furthermore, as the demand for highly complex, multi-objective optimisation grows, a proactive, data-driven approach is essential. Developing this capability ensures the continuous delivery of the high-efficiency designs required to meet IMO Net Zero targets, reinforcing the company’s position at the forefront of maritime innovation.

What did we do?

The Solution

The core of the solution lies in the seamless integration of advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD), evolutionary optimisation algorithms and artificial neural networks (ANN). To overcome the time-consuming nature of traditional CFD-only workflows, a comprehensive database was generated through systematic CFD simulations in order to train a high-fidelity ANN model. This 'surrogate model' eliminates the need for computationally expensive CFD runs for each new design iteration, reducing calculation time from weeks to minutes.

Furthermore, the project successfully transitioned established design sequences into a modern, automated framework featuring intuitive digital interfaces. This technological leap enables the team to perform complex, multi-objective optimisation, balancing competing factors such as propulsion efficiency, cavitation risk and noise reduction, which was previously unattainable within standard commercial timeframes. By digitising Stone Marine Propulsion’s design expertise and converting it into an AI-driven toolset, the solution provides a scalable platform for the rapid development of high-quality propellers. This ensures that every custom design is highly accurate and optimized for peak performance and environmental compliance, thereby supporting the industry's transition to greener shipping.

What changed?

The Impacts and Benefits

Impacts for the Company 

The partnership has had a transformative impact on Stone Marine Propulsion's technical and commercial capabilities. By integrating advanced CFD methodologies and artificial neural networks (ANNs), the company has transitioned from traditional design loops to a highly efficient, data-driven workflow. A significant operational milestone was the development of customised CFD templates and standardised documentation, which are now being successfully trialled in active commercial projects, further advancing the precision and repeatability of the design process.

Beyond improving internal efficiency, the project has fostered a culture of innovation and knowledge sharing. The KTP Associate has provided the design staff with direct training and consultancy, ensuring that specialised expertise in AI and fluid dynamics is permanently embedded within the organisation.

The project's commercial reach also extends to the wider group: the high-fidelity CFD visualisations and performance data generated during the partnership have become vital marketing assets for Stone Marine Shipcare and Stone Marine Propulsion. These resources are utilised in global sales brochures for trailing edge modifications and provide prospective clients with tangible evidence of performance gains. Furthermore, the academic visibility gained through project publications has reinforced Stone Marine’s reputation as a technologically forward-thinking leader that is well-positioned to meet the industry's demand for high-efficiency, sustainable propulsion solutions.

 

Impacts for the Academic Team

This Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) has significantly expanded the Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering’s applied research portfolio by providing access to unique, proprietary industrial datasets and complex propeller geometries. The collaboration has strengthened the department's expertise in AI-assisted naval hydrodynamics, resulting in the development of validated methodologies. These outputs will contribute directly to the dissemination of high-impact research through upcoming conference papers and journal submissions.

Beyond research, the partnership has had a profound impact on the department's pedagogical approach. The experience gained and the documentation and templates developed during the project will be integrated into academic modules. This will enable the direct transfer of sectoral knowledge and industry-standard practices to students, providing them with real-world case studies to enrich their learning experience and prepare them for the evolving technical demands of the maritime industry.

Strategically, the partnership strengthens the university's narrative on the impact of its research on fuel-efficient design, which is aligned with the IMO's 2050 decarbonisation agenda. Furthermore, the deepened relationship with Stone Marine Propulsion establishes a solid basis for future collaborative proposals to major funding bodies such as Innovate UK and Horizon Europe, ensuring a long-term legacy of data-driven innovation in naval architecture.

 

Impacts for the KTP Associate 

Through this Knowledge Transfer Partnership, the KTP Associate has significantly elevated their professional standing, transitioning into a specialist in AI-driven marine engineering within a globally recognised and established market. The role provides a unique vantage point from which to bridge the gap between high-level academic research and practical industrial application. It fosters deep relationships with the university's research community while rapidly expanding a high-value sectoral network. Leading a project supported by UKRI has been instrumental in establishing a long-term career path within the UK maritime industry, providing a prestigious reference and a platform for international professional growth.

Their technical proficiency has been greatly enhanced by unparalleled access to the advanced computational infrastructure and engineering software licences of the university and Stone Marine Propulsion. Hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, combined with successfully disseminating project findings through academic publications, has boosted the Associate’s visibility and reputation in the field significantly. Furthermore, the dedicated Associate Development budget has enabled participation in specialised seminars and training, equipping the Associate with the versatile skills needed to confidently navigate future leadership roles and complex industrial challenges.

The People

Meet the Team

Dr Batuhan Atkas

Knowledge Base Supervisor

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Robert Mutton

Company Supervisor

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