Marine Engineering project ideas

100 projects, from a first build to a final-year capstone. Each lists the skills it teaches and the tools it needs; times and costs are estimates.

Beginner projects

• Ship Stability Calculator — Compute displacement, centre of gravity and metacentric height for a loading condition and flag unsafe GM. Skills: hydrostatics, metacentric height, loading. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Buoyancy and Displacement Experiment — Load model hulls with weights and compare draft with Archimedes' predictions. Skills: buoyancy, displacement, draft. Tools: model hulls, water tank. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Bilge Alarm Demonstrator — Trigger a bilge high-level alarm with float switches and a pump interlock. Skills: level switches, alarms, interlocks. Tools: float switches, pump, MCU. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Knots and Nautical Units Converter — Convert speeds, distances and fuel rates between marine and SI units. Skills: nautical units, conversions. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Hull Shape Resistance Comparison — Tow simple hull models and compare resistance with a spring scale. Skills: ship resistance, hull form. Tools: tow tank/bathtub, spring scale. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Ship Fuel Consumption Estimator — Estimate daily fuel use from engine power, SFOC and speed. Skills: SFOC, fuel planning. Tools: web calculator. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Anchor Holding Power Study — Compare holding power of anchor shapes in sand trays. Skills: anchoring, soil interaction. Tools: model anchors, sand tray. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Ballast Tank Trim Simulator — Move ballast between tanks and watch trim and heel change. Skills: trim, heel, ballast. Tools: web app. Simulator, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Marine Propeller Pitch Calculator — Relate pitch, rpm and slip to vessel speed. Skills: propeller pitch, slip. Tools: web calculator. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Seawater Corrosion Coupon Test — Expose metal coupons to salt water and compare corrosion. Skills: marine corrosion, data analysis. Tools: coupons, salt water. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Lifejacket Buoyancy Test — Measure buoyancy of lifejacket materials and compare with requirements. Skills: buoyancy, safety equipment. Tools: samples, scale. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Ship Watch Rota Planner — Plan watchkeeping schedules that respect rest-hour rules. Skills: scheduling, rest-hour rules. Tools: spreadsheet. Workflow, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Wave Height Measurement Buoy — Measure wave heights in a pond or tank with an accelerometer buoy. Skills: wave measurement, integration. Tools: IMU, float. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Engine Room Layout Sketch — Draw an engine room layout with main machinery and access routes. Skills: marine layout, drawing. Tools: CAD. CAD / design, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Sea Water Desalination by Distillation Demo — Distil salt water and measure fresh water output and energy. Skills: distillation, desalination. Tools: kettle, condenser (supervised). Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Marine Weather Briefing Tool — Summarise wind, waves and visibility for a planned passage. Skills: marine weather, data reading. Tools: public weather APIs. Dashboard, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Navigation Light Pattern Trainer — Identify vessel types from navigation light patterns. Skills: COLREGs lights, recognition. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Ship Speed Over Ground Logger — Log GPS speed and compare with speed through water. Skills: navigation data, currents. Tools: GPS logger. Data lab, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Mooring Line Load Model — Estimate mooring line tension from wind and current forces. Skills: mooring loads, force balance. Tools: web calculator. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Hull Cleaning Effect Calculator — Estimate fuel savings from hull cleaning based on fouling resistance. Skills: fouling, resistance. Tools: spreadsheet. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Fire Triangle Ship Safety Quiz — Learn fire classes and extinguisher choices for ship spaces. Skills: fire safety, extinguishers. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Freeboard and Load Line Explainer — Show load line marks and how seasons change allowable draft. Skills: load lines, freeboard. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).
• Fishing Boat Cold Storage Monitor — Monitor fish hold temperature and alarm on rises. Skills: temperature monitoring, alarms. Tools: sensor, MCU. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Model Sailboat Force Study — Measure sail forces at different angles in a fan airflow. Skills: sail aerodynamics, forces. Tools: fan, model sail. Hardware build, Up to 15 h, Under $30.
• Port Tide Table Visualizer — Plot tide tables and find safe windows for a draft. Skills: tides, under-keel clearance. Tools: web app. Visualizer, Up to 15 h, Software only (free tools).

Intermediate projects

• Shipboard Energy Dashboard — Show generator loads, fuel flow and consumers on a ship energy dashboard. Skills: energy monitoring, ship systems. Tools: dashboard. Dashboard, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Marine Diesel Engine Performance Model — Model brake power, SFOC and exhaust temperature across load. Skills: engine performance, thermodynamics. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Propeller Cavitation Explorer — Estimate cavitation number and risk across operating points. Skills: cavitation, propellers. Tools: Python. Visualizer, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Ballast Water Treatment Monitor — Track UV treatment dose and flow for ballast water compliance. Skills: ballast water, compliance. Tools: dashboard. Dashboard, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Vessel Fuel Optimization Route Planner — Compare routes and speeds for fuel use and arrival time. Skills: voyage optimisation, fuel. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Corrosion Tracking for Hull Systems — Record thickness gaugings and plot corrosion rates per area. Skills: thickness gauging, trends. Tools: database app. Workflow, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Marine Battery Hybrid Controller — Share load between generator and battery to cut idle running. Skills: hybrid power, control. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Exhaust Gas Economiser Steam Model — Estimate steam generated from main-engine exhaust heat and fuel saved. Skills: heat recovery, steam generation. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Shipboard Vibration Monitor — Measure machinery vibration and compare with marine severity limits. Skills: vibration monitoring, data analysis. Tools: accelerometers, Python. Data lab, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Freshwater Generator Simulator — Model an evaporator's output from jacket water heat and vacuum. Skills: freshwater generation, heat balance. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Marine Emissions Compliance Tracker — Track sulphur, NOx and CO2 against ECA and IMO limits. Skills: emissions compliance, KPI design. Tools: dashboard. Dashboard, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Condition Monitoring for Ship Pumps — Monitor pump pressure, flow and vibration to detect wear. Skills: condition monitoring, pumps. Tools: sensors, dashboard. Dashboard, 15–45 h, $30–150.
• Ship Resistance Estimator — Estimate resistance with Holtrop-Mennen and required power. Skills: resistance prediction, powering. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Ship Electrical Load Scheduler — Schedule consumers to keep generators at efficient loading. Skills: load scheduling, generators. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Lifeboat Inspection Workflow — Run lifeboat and davit inspection checklists with photos. Skills: inspections, safety workflows. Tools: mobile app. Workflow, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Heat Exchanger Fouling on Ships — Track cooler performance and predict cleaning needs. Skills: fouling, heat transfer. Tools: Python. Data lab, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Cargo Securing Calculator — Check lashing forces for deck cargo in sea conditions. Skills: cargo securing, forces. Tools: spreadsheet. Visualizer, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Engine Lubricating Oil Analyzer — Trend oil analysis results to spot engine wear. Skills: oil analysis, trending. Tools: spreadsheet. Data lab, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Ship Cooling Water System Model — Model sea and fresh water cooling circuits and temperatures. Skills: cooling systems, hydraulics. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Marine Boiler Efficiency Test — Calculate boiler efficiency from fuel and steam data. Skills: boiler efficiency, combustion. Tools: spreadsheet. Data lab, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Ship Bunker Quality Checker — Compare bunker test results against fuel specifications. Skills: fuel quality, specifications. Tools: spreadsheet. Workflow, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Container Stowage Planner — Stow containers to meet weight, stability and port order. Skills: stowage planning, constraints. Tools: Python. Simulator, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Hull Girder Bending Calculator — Compute still-water bending moments along a hull. Skills: longitudinal strength, visual explanation. Tools: Python. Visualizer, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Port Crane Productivity Analyzer — Analyse crane moves per hour and delays. Skills: productivity analysis, data analysis. Tools: Python. Data lab, 15–45 h, Software only (free tools).
• Ship Anchor Watch Alarm — Alert when a ship drags anchor using GPS position. Skills: GPS geofencing, alarms. Tools: GPS, phone app. Hardware build, 15–45 h, $30–150.

Advanced projects

• Ship Motion Response Calculator — Estimate roll period and motions in waves. Skills: seakeeping, roll period. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Engine-Room Digital Twin — Mirror engine-room machinery states and predict faults. Skills: digital twins, machinery. Tools: Python, data. Digital twin, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Dynamic Positioning Sandbox — Hold a vessel's position against wind and current with a DP controller. Skills: dynamic positioning, control. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Hull Fouling Performance Estimator — Estimate added resistance from fouling using speed-power data. Skills: performance analysis, fouling. Tools: Python. Data lab, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Offshore Platform Utility Model — Model power, water and air systems of an offshore platform. Skills: utility systems, modelling. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Voyage Weather Routing Assistant — Route a ship around bad weather to save fuel and time. Skills: weather routing, optimisation. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Marine Fire Safety Scenario Trainer — Train crews on fire scenarios with decision branches. Skills: fire response, training. Tools: web app. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Shaft Alignment Calculator — Compute bearing reactions and alignment offsets for a propulsion shaft. Skills: shaft alignment, bearings. Tools: Python. Visualizer, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• LNG Fuel System Safety Study — Assess gas fuel system hazards and safeguards. Skills: gas fuel safety, risk. Tools: worksheet. Workflow, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Ship Energy Efficiency Index Calculator — Compute EEXI and CII ratings and test improvement measures. Skills: IMO efficiency indices, KPI design. Tools: Python. Dashboard, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Propeller Design With Lifting-Line Method — Design a propeller blade for target thrust and efficiency. Skills: propeller design, lifting line. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Wave Load Analysis of a Hull — Estimate wave-induced loads with strip theory. Skills: seakeeping, strip theory. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Underwater Hull Inspection With ROV — Plan and analyse an ROV hull survey for damage and fouling. Skills: ROV inspection, image analysis. Tools: ROV footage, Python. Data lab, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Waterjet Propulsion Model — Model thrust and efficiency of a waterjet. Skills: waterjets, propulsion. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Ship Collision Avoidance Simulator — Apply COLREGs-based decisions to avoid collisions. Skills: collision avoidance, rules. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Marine Scrubber Performance Monitor — Track scrubber SO2/CO2 ratio and washwater parameters. Skills: scrubbers, monitoring. Tools: dashboard. Dashboard, 45–100 h, $30–150.
• Mooring System Design for a Buoy — Design a mooring for a data buoy with dynamic loads. Skills: mooring design, dynamics. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Ship Maintenance Planning System — Plan maintenance by running hours and condition. Skills: PMS, maintenance. Tools: database app. Workflow, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Wind-Assisted Propulsion Study — Estimate fuel savings from rotor or wing sails on a route. Skills: wind propulsion, savings. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Ship Hull Structural FEA — Analyse a hull section for local strength with FEA. Skills: structural FEA, plating. Tools: FEA tool. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Sloshing in Cargo Tanks — Simulate liquid sloshing loads in partially filled tanks. Skills: sloshing, CFD. Tools: CFD tool. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Port Energy Microgrid Study — Plan shore power and renewables for a port. Skills: shore power, microgrids. Tools: Python. Simulator, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Marine Diesel Fault Diagnosis — Diagnose injector and turbocharger faults from engine data. Skills: fault diagnosis, engines. Tools: Python. Data lab, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Ship Cyber Asset Inventory — List OT/IT assets aboard and map their connections and risks. Skills: maritime cyber, asset inventory. Tools: spreadsheet. Workflow, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).
• Offshore Crew Transfer Safety Analyzer — Assess sea states safe for crew transfer vessels. Skills: motion criteria, operability. Tools: Python. Data lab, 45–100 h, Software only (free tools).

Expert projects

• Autonomous Surface Vessel Planner — Plan routes and avoid obstacles for an autonomous boat. Skills: autonomy, path planning. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Shipboard Cyber Risk Assessment — Assess cyber risks of ship systems and plan controls. Skills: cyber risk, controls. Tools: worksheet. Workflow, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Port-Call Energy Optimizer — Plan arrival speed and berth time to cut fuel and waiting. Skills: just-in-time arrival, optimisation. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Hydrogen-Fuelled Ferry Concept — Size a hydrogen fuel system for a short-sea ferry. Skills: hydrogen propulsion, sizing. Tools: spreadsheet. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Ship Hull Digital Twin With Fatigue — Track hull fatigue from measured motions and loads. Skills: digital twins, fatigue. Tools: Python. Digital twin, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Machine Learning Speed-Power Model — Predict ship power from operating and weather data. Skills: ML regression, ship performance. Tools: Python. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Underwater Radiated Noise Reduction — Assess and reduce underwater noise from propellers and machinery. Skills: underwater acoustics, numerical modelling. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Offshore Wind Installation Vessel Planner — Plan installation campaigns under weather windows. Skills: marine operations, scheduling. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Ammonia Fuel Bunkering Safety Study — Model ammonia release scenarios during bunkering. Skills: ammonia safety, dispersion. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Swarm of Ocean Gliders — Coordinate gliders to sample ocean features efficiently. Skills: ocean sampling, coordination. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Remote Monitoring Centre for Fleets — Build a shore centre view of fleet machinery health. Skills: fleet monitoring, dashboards. Tools: dashboard. Dashboard, 100 h+, $150+.
• Ship Design Optimisation for Emissions — Optimise hull dimensions for lowest lifecycle emissions. Skills: design optimisation, numerical modelling. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Air Lubrication System Study — Estimate drag reduction from hull air lubrication. Skills: drag reduction, two-phase flow. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Subsea Pipeline Inspection Analytics — Detect free spans and damage from survey data. Skills: subsea inspection, analytics. Tools: Python. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Autonomous Berthing Controller — Berth a ship automatically using thrusters and sensors. Skills: automatic berthing, control. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Battery-Electric Tug Feasibility — Size batteries for a harbour tug's duty cycle. Skills: electrification, duty cycles. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Ocean Wave Energy Ship Integration — Study wave energy capture on a moored vessel. Skills: wave energy, integration. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Maritime Situational Awareness Fusion — Fuse AIS, radar and camera tracks for collision risk. Skills: sensor fusion, tracking. Tools: Python. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Green Corridor Route Analysis — Assess fuels and infrastructure for a zero-emission shipping corridor. Skills: decarbonisation, routes. Tools: spreadsheet. Dashboard, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Ship Recycling Hazardous Material Inventory — Build a hazardous materials inventory for ship recycling. Skills: ship recycling, inventories. Tools: database. Workflow, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Predictive Maintenance of Marine Engines — Predict failures from engine monitoring with ML. Skills: predictive maintenance, ML. Tools: Python. Data lab, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Sea Ice Navigation Risk Model — Assess ice risk for polar routes from ice charts. Skills: polar navigation, risk. Tools: Python, GIS. Visualizer, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Floating Offshore Structure Motion Control — Reduce platform motions with active ballast control. Skills: motion control, floating structures. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Marine Spatial Planning Tool — Map shipping, fishing and conservation zones to avoid conflicts. Skills: marine spatial planning, GIS. Tools: QGIS. Visualizer, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).
• Shipboard DC Microgrid Protection Study — Design fault detection and selective protection for a ship DC power system with batteries and drives. Skills: DC protection, selectivity, power electronics. Tools: Python. Simulator, 100 h+, Software only (free tools).

Project ideas for every branch · Marine Engineering roadmap