Graduation Intern SMD Staff

Within this graduation project at Van Oord, you will contribute to improving the workability of our equipment under challenging environmental conditions. Together with two other graduation students, you will work on one overarching project, each focusing on a specific vessel type.

The position

Environmental conditions, especially waves, directly affect the workability of maritime equipment. Above certain wave heights, operations must stop. This impacts safety, planning and overall project performance.

Within this graduation project, three dedicated assignments are available:

• Cutter dredgers – analysing forces on the spud pole and cutter head motions
• Hopper dredgers – focusing on the launching of the suction pipe system and gantry construction and the under keel clearance
• Crane vessels – analysing crane hook motions due to roll, pitch and heave

For these assignments, we are looking for a highly analytical Master’s student to investigate the operational behavior of our vessels and equipment. Depending on the vessel type, this could involve studying cutter dredgers, hopper dredgers, or crane vessels. You will analyse motions and forces, identify limiting factors, and contribute to solutions that improve performance and workability. The target is to double the allowable significant wave height, which requires very innovative solutions. We are looking for someone who is innovative, proactive, collaborative, and able to translate complex technical insights into practical recommendations.

Your impact

• Perform hydrodynamic analyses of an existing vessel and your proposed new concepts (including use of ANSYS AQWA in collaboration with our Gorinchem office)
• Investigate vessel motions and structural responses in operational conditions
• Translate analysis results into practical and innovative design improvements
• Visit projects and speak with crew members to validate operational insights
• Work closely with engineers, project teams and fellow graduation students

Your work will not remain theoretical. Your recommendations may directly influence future vessel design and operational guidelines.

About you

You will be part of SMD Design & Engineering and work intensively with engineers and specialists.

This graduation project is carried out together with two other students. You collaborate closely with each other, with your technical supervisor, and with operational teams. You will visit projects and vessels to speak with crew members and understand real operational challenges. From day one you are treated as a full team member.

You are a Master student in Maritime Engineering, Naval Architecture or a related technical field. You have a strong analytical mindset and enjoy combining theory with practice.

You also bring:

• Affinity with hydrodynamics and vessel motions
• Experience or interest in simulation tools such as ANSYS AQWA
• An innovative and out-of-the-box mindset
• Strong collaboration skills
• The ability to work independently and think beyond existing boundaries

You are available for a graduation internship of 4–6 months.

We offer

We offer you the opportunity to contribute to real engineering challenges that impact our global fleet. In addition, we offer:

• Intensive supervision from experienced engineers
• Exposure to real projects and vessel operations
• Collaboration in a multidisciplinary and innovative environment
• Access to advanced analysis tools and software
• An inspiring and international workplace in Rotterdam

‘You come up with something at your desk and then see it actually working on a ship. That’s incredibly rewarding.’ Thomasz Engineer Production Automation