Modeling and simulation methods used in the maritime industry: evolution, applications and future perspectives

Abstract

Modeling and simulation (M&S) techniques have evolved from optional engineering tools to indispensable pillars of modern maritime practice. This article presents a comprehensive systematic review of the most important modeling and simulation methodologies applied to maritime industry processes, including workflows for ship design, shipyard fabrication and construction, port and terminal operations, vessel traffic management, maintenance scheduling, supply chain logistics, and risk management procedures. The study demonstrates that M&S techniques enable safer, more efficient, and more environmentally sustainable operations, validated by scientific standards. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a critical catalyst, consolidating the strategic value of M&S as a central component of maritime resilience and innovation. This research traces the evolution of M&S adoption from 2010 to 2025, identifying four dominant research directions: maritime simulators, computational fluid dynamics (CFD)/finite element analysis (FEA), digital twins, and artificial intelligence-based methods. The analysis reveals that while traditional approaches dominated the 2010-2020 period, emerging technologies—particularly digital twins and AI-based methods—have accelerated exponentially since 2020, reflecting the maritime industry's accelerated digitalization. Forward projections through 2035 indicate that AI-based methodologies will experience the highest growth rate at approximately 329%, followed by digital twins at 147%, underscoring the fundamental transformation of maritime research and practice. The integration of these advanced modeling approaches offers optimal equilibrium between physical precision and computational efficiency for addressing complex maritime challenges.