News

How can a small tweak at the stern save millions in fuel costs for naval ships? That’s the question a team of researchers set out to answer—and the results, presented at the prestigious RINA Warship 2025 Conference, are turning heads in the marine engineering world. Using Orca3D Marine CFD, engineers from Virginia Tech and Fincantieri Marinette Marine explored how adjustable energy-saving devices can dramatically improve performance and efficiency for fast warships. Their findings highlight not just the power of smart design—but the power of simulation to transform how we build the ships of tomorrow.

Orca3D is excited to present research at the XI International Conference on Computational Methods in Marine Engineering. Co-authored by Orca3D’s Larry Leibman, this paper explores high-fidelity CFD simulations used to optimize the design and maneuvering of high-speed vessels, specifically the U.S. Coast Guard’s 47FT Motor Lifeboat. By leveraging advanced simulation techniques, including a new propeller force model, this research provides key insights into improving vessel performance and maneuverability. Join us at MARINE 2025 to learn more about the future of marine design.

Join Orca3D at the upcoming SNAME Canadian Atlantic Section virtual event on May 30th! Discover the full capabilities of the Orca3D Naval Architecture plug-in for Rhino—including our latest Advanced Stability tools and Marine CFD module—in a one-hour live presentation led by Orca3D co-founders Bruce Hays and Larry Leibman. Free registration is open to all marine design professionals and enthusiasts.

We're thrilled to announce that our trusted reseller partner, NDAR, will be showcasing Orca3D at Nor-Shipping 2025 in Oslo, Norway, from June 3rd to June 6th. Visit the SSI Booth to explore Orca3D's latest marine engineering software, learn about our innovative solutions for stability analysis, and get insights into the potential certification of our stability software by the Norwegian Directorate. This is a fantastic opportunity to see our software in action and discover how Orca3D can support your marine design projects. Don’t miss the chance to meet the experts and learn more about the future of marine engineering.

We’re excited to announce the release of Orca3D Version 3.1.7, packed with powerful new features and performance improvements. Highlights include Conditional Flooding for more accurate compartment modeling, a new Curves of Form analysis for streamlined stability reports, and enhanced reporting options for better data control. Plus, several critical bug fixes ensure smoother operations. Upgrade today to unlock these exciting updates and take your marine design projects to the next level!

Orca3D is honored to be an official technical partner of the International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA), providing essential tools for the design and analysis of the cutting-edge IMOCA 60 boats. These high-performance vessels, designed for the toughest offshore races like the Vendée Globe, rely on Orca3D’s advanced stability analysis and seamless integration with Rhino3D to ensure optimal performance and safety. In this post, we explore the groundbreaking collaboration between Orca3D and IMOCA, and how our software is helping shape the future of offshore racing by enabling the design of faster, safer, and more resilient vessels.