URNECO – Underwater noise management for maritime traffic

We measure underwater noise of vessels in cooperation with maritime industry

Duration of the project

1.11.2024 – 30.6.2027

Source of funding

Bisness Finland

The goal of the project is to develop research expertise and technology that will promote the export business of Finnish maritime industry in the future. The project focuses on the control of underwater noise produced by vessels and related measurement and modeling methods.

The project has seven work packages, which cover

• the mapping of standardized measurement methods,
• noise emission measurements on maritime traffic lanes,
• onboard measurements,
• modeling of the biological impact areas of noise,
• modeling of propulsor cavitation noise,
• mapping of structural noise calculation methods, and
• mapping of realistic noise prevention measures.

As a result of the project, Finnish maritime companies will be better able to develop and implement noise abatement measures, which will strengthen their competitiveness in international markets. The project will also lay the foundations for national higher education and training of professionals in Finland in this new, emerging and multi-physical field of research.

The research work of the project is carried out by the research teams of Turku University of Applied Sciences and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Turku University of Applied Sciences focuses on noise measurements and VTT is responsible for noise modelling and noise abatement.

The companies see the project as strategically very important, as the IMO (International Maritime Organization) has started to pay attention to limiting underwater noise from maritime traffic. This is expected to have an impact on noise emission standards for ships. The companies will participate in the project steering group. Several aspects of the study will be carried out in close cooperation with companies.

The main funder of the project is Business Finland. Eight other Finnish companies are the project’s co-funders.