Doctoral defense - Master of Science Mahmood Taghavi

Master of Science Mahmood Taghavi will on October 29 at 12:15 publically defend his thesis for the PhD degree in Nautical Operations.

Title of the PhD thesis:

«A Data-Driven Digital Twin Framework for Vessel Performance Modeling to Quantify Ship Energy Efficiency»

Popular scientific abstract:

To reduce emissions and fuel costs in shipping, this project developed a smart, data-driven model, called a Digital Twin, that can predict how much fuel a cargo ship uses. Using one year of real-world data from a vessel, the method identifies different engine operating modes and builds accurate models for each. It also detects faulty or missing data and corrects it automatically. These models are combined to create a dynamic, adaptive system that mirrors how the vessel performs under different conditions and estimates ship’s fuel use in real time. The result is a scalable and interpretable tool that helps shipping companies monitor performance, lower emissions, and operate more efficiently. This approach supports the global goal of making maritime transport cleaner and more sustainable.

The thesis will be published and available in Munin.

Supervisors:

  • Professor Lokukaluge Prasad Channa Perera, Department of Technology and Safety, UiT (main supervisor)
  • Professor Ziaul Haque MunimUSN (co-supervisor)

Evaluation Committee:

  • Dr. Demetres Armanes, American Bureau of Shipping (1st Opponent) 

  • Professor Parazkevi Zouganeli, Oslo Metropolitan University (2nd Opponent) 
  • Associated Professor Karl Gunnar Aarsæther, UiT Norges arktiske universitet (Leader of the Committee) 

Leader of the public defence:

Dean Arne O. Smalås, Faculty of Science and Technology.

Opposition ex auditorio:

If you have any questions for the candidate during the public defence, please send an e-mail to arne.smalas@uit.no leader of the public defense. They will announce your questions during the defense.

Trial lecture:

The trial lecture is held on Wednesday October 29 at 10:15 in the same auditorium.

The title of the trial lecture is:

«Challenges and Opportunities of Unmanned Autonomous Coastal and Inland Ship Operations»

Streaming:

The trial lecture will be streamed via this link.

The public defence will be streamed via this link.

When: 29.10.25 kl 12.15–16.00
Where: Panopto
Location / Campus: Digitalt, Tromsø
Zielgruppe: Ansatte, Studenten, Besøkende, Invited, Enhet
Contact: Camilla Andreassen
Phone: 77623206
E-mail: camilla.andreassen@uit.no
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