Expertise
for the
Maritime Industry
Located in Hamburg, the private and independent Hamburg Ship Model Basin - HSVA - is a service and consulting company for clients in the maritime industry worldwide.
Our products contribute to a greener, more sustainable usage of marine environments. We help reduce emissions from shipping and we increase safety in marine transportation.
We are partners to our clients for the development of innovative, tailor-made solutions in shipping and offshore operations. For experimental investigations we are offering world class testing facilities.
Its leading role in national and international research programs makes HSVA a most competent partner in science and services in the field of maritime hydrodynamics, maritime aerodynamics and arctic technology as well as associated disciplines.
OUR FOCUS

Optimisation, Efficiency & Safety
We address any aspect in design, construction and operation of waterborne vehicles and structures that incorporate fluid mechanical considerations such as
- Resistance and Propulsion
- Ship Dynamics and Manoeuvring
- Seakeeping and Motions
- Cavitation and Hydroacoustics
- Structural Loads
- Underwater Vehicles
- Model experiments
- Numerical computations (CFD)
- Field measurements
- Monitoring and data analytics
- In-house software

Design Loads, Operational Safety & Green Energy
HSVA adresses all aspects related to air flow on ships and offshore structures, including
- Wind Loads
- Air resistance
- Exhaust gas distribution
- Air Turbulence
- Ventilation
- Numerical Assessment (RANS, DES, LES)
- Wind Tunnel Testing
- IMO Weather Criterion
- Helicopter Operations
- Wind Propulsion Systems (Flettner Rotors, Soft Sails, Wing Sails)
- Wind Turbines

Safe operation in ice covered waters
Operating one of the very few testing facilities worldwide, HSVA provides unique expertise for marine vehicles and installations in ice covered waters:
- Icebreaking Vessels
- Design Assistance
- Arctic Environmental Conditions
- Ice Class Regulations and Requirements
- Model Testing in Ice
- Ice – Structure Interaction, Ice Loads
- Ice Performance Trials
- Wave – Ice Interaction
- Ice Mechanics
- Technical Assistance for Scientific Experiments in Ice
May 2023
TrAM H2020 Project has been nominated for the European Sustainable Energy Awards

We are very glad to share that the TrAM H2020 Project has been nominated for the European Sustainable Energy Awards 2023!
The TrAM Catamaran Medstraum is not only fully electric, zero-emission, fast, buy also highly efficient in terms of hydrodynamic performance, which has been essential for such a battery-driven fast ferry concept being feasible and finally built and in operation! #HSVA is happy to make a substantial contribution to this great project.
The winner will be decided by the public - we would be happy if you voted for this great project!
Please find the link for voting below:
https://interactive.eusew.eu/awards/innovation/world-s-first-fully-electric-fast-ferry
For more information, check out this post: Information TrAM H2020 Project
May 2023
Webinar: Underwater Radiated Noise of Ship Propellers

We are glad to announce our next webinar: „Underwater Radiated Noise of Ship Propellers“!
This webinar will provide a short introduction to model scale measurements of underwater noise measurements of ship propellers at HSVA. The comparison of predicted full scale noise levels with full scale measurements and limit curves. And a discussion on underwater noise reduction opportunities.
At the following link https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4314931559370453589 you can register for the free webinar!
Save the date: Thursday, 1st of June, 2023, 15:00 PM (CEST)
We are looking forward to your participation!
August 2022
Newswave 2022 01

HSVA magazine "newswave" is now available online!
We are very pleased to present you our new edition of our magazine newswave.
Find out more about:
· The world’s first zero-emission fast ferry
· The design challenge of Multi Mission Polar Vessels
· GATERS – Comprehensive Review of Novel Rudder System
· ... and much more!


Jobs @ HSVA
HSVA is one of the world leading ship model basins. As a private company operating in the wonderful city of Hamburg, Germany, HSVA is active in the field of hydrodynamic research since 1913. Besides operating a large range of experimental facilities, we are among the forerunners of CFD developments and maritime applications.
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