Ulrik Dam Nielsen

Ulrik Dam Nielsen is an Associate Professor in the Section for Fluid Mechanics, Coastal and Maritime Engineering at the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU). He also held an external position as Associate Professor II at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) from 2014 to 2023, reflecting strong international collaboration. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable maritime operations and clean energy.

His research focuses on naval architecture and ship motion dynamics, particularly in the context of sea state estimation, added resistance in waves, and real-time prediction of vessel responses. He integrates data analytics, estimation theory, and machine learning to develop methods for monitoring hydrodynamic performance and enhancing maritime safety and energy efficiency. A central theme of his work is using ships as mobile wave sensors—transforming operational vessels into 'sailing wave buoys' for environmental monitoring.

His recent publications show a clear shift toward data-driven methodologies, especially machine learning applications in sea state estimation, added resistance modeling, and performance monitoring. These works span journals like Ship Technology Research and Journal of Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, and conferences such as IEEE MetroSea, highlighting interdisciplinary innovation at the intersection of classical marine engineering and modern AI.

• Best Paper Presented by a Young Researcher Award (First Classified), 2024 (jointly awarded)

He actively supervises PhD students—such as R. E. G. Mounet, M. Mittendorf, J. P. Tomy, and A. Oikonomakis—on projects funded by DTU and collaborative initiatives. His leadership in projects like WEFOSWAB (Wave Estimation and Forecasting Using Ships as Buoys) and data-driven added resistance modeling underscores his role in advancing smart maritime technologies. He also contributes to open science through the public release of datasets such as NetSSE.

He teaches core courses including Introduction to Ships and Floating Structures, Marine and Ocean Engineering, and Ship Operations, shaping the next generation of maritime engineers.