UBC is a leader in advancing marine engineering and shipping, leveraging expertise in naval architecture, alternative fuels, robotics, and digital technologies to tackle the most pressing challenges in Canada’s oceans and Arctic.

Researchers at UBC are pioneering solutions for Arctic-ready marine operations, including technologies that enable safer navigation in ice-covered waters including under-water marine robotics, digital twin simulations of vessel performance in extreme environments, and resilient marine infrastructure to support northern communities. These innovations directly contribute to Canada’s priorities for Arctic sovereignty, coastal resilience, and the decarbonization of shipping.

UBC’s Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NAME) program plays a central role in training the next generation of experts. Through hands-on learning, interdisciplinary research, and close partnerships with industry, NAME graduates are equipped to address complex challenges in ship design, propulsion systems, and sustainable shipping technologies. This talent pipeline strengthens Canada’s Blue Economy by supplying highly qualified personnel who are ready to innovate and lead.
 

Research Excellence Clusters

Intelligent Coastal, Oceans, and Naval Systems

ICONS is UBC’s flagship marine engineering and technology accelerator, created to bridge the gap between research and commercialization in Western Canada’s maritime sector. Its work addresses urgent challenges such as decarbonizing shipping, enhancing Arctic navigation, and safeguarding marine ecosystems.

Marine Systems Initiative

MSI is designed to strengthen research, education, and industry collaboration in the marine, shipbuilding, and defence sectors. It supports the NAME program by developing a specialized curriculum track with emphasis on electrical and systems engineering relevant to marine operations. Key areas include propulsion systems, shipboard communications...

Pacific Rim Initiative for Sustainable Marine Systems

PRISMS is a cross-disciplinary research cluster spanning engineering, ocean science, ecology, Indigenous studies, and public policy focused on sustainable marine systems. Its vision is to catalyze research, policy, and industry practice for coastal sustainability, stewardship of ocean resources, and innovation in maritime sectors.

Major Partners

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industry partner logos for arctic shipping and maritime engineering

Research Expertise

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Rajeev Jaiman portrait

Rajeev Jaiman

Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Research Chair in Intelligent and Green Marine Vessels 

High-fidelity multiphysics and multiphase simulations, fluid-structure interactions, data-driven computing, and digital twin development for marine vessels

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Adrien Desjardins portrait

Adrien Desjardins

Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Research Chair in Marine Robotics 

Underwater robotics and sensing, optics and ultrasound-based monitoring, machine learning and AI in marine applications

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Warren Poole portrait

Warren Poole

Professor, Materials Engineering

Microstructural engineering, advanced aluminum alloys, high strengths, high formable steels, metal matrix composites, mechanical behavior of two-phase materials

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Jasmin Jelovica portrait

Jasmin Jelovica

Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Research Chair in Intelligent and Green Marine Vessels

Structural mechanics, optimization, and advanced materials for marine vessels, focusing on multifunctional structures and noise reduction

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Klaske van Heusden portrait

Klaske van Heusden

Assistant Professor, School of Engineering

Data-driven and learning control; system identification; control of robotics and mechatronic systems; emerging applications in maritime sector

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Kefei Wen portrait

Kefei Wen

Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Kinematics, dynamics, and control of parallel mechanisms, parallel continuum robots, physical Human-robot cooperation

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Dominic Liao-McPherson portrait

Dominic Liao-McPherson

Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Model predictive control, constrained control, multi-agent systems, optimization algorithms and real-time optimization, algorithmic game theory, robotics, autonomous systems

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Cyrus Neary portrait

Cyrus Neary

Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering

Artificial Intelligence, robotics, autonomous systems, reinforcement learning, physics-aware machine learning and control

Research News

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UBC is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm people (Musqueam; which means 'People of the River Grass') and Syilx Okanagan Nation. The land has always been a place of learning for the Musqueam and Syilx peoples, who for millennia have passed on their culture, history and traditions from one generation to the next.

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