The 16th International Marine Design Conference (IMDC 2027) will be held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in June 2027. The aim of the IMDC is to promote all aspects of marine design as an engineering discipline. The focus this year will be on the key design challenges and opportunities in the maritime field with special emphasis on the topics below.
- Ship design methodology issues such as systems engineering, set-based design, design optimization, concurrent design, modular design, or configuration-based design.
- Influence of digital transition on maritime design such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital shadows and twins, model-based systems engineering and cyber security.
- Influence of energy transition on maritime design, including decarbonization, reduced emissions, and high-power and high-energy systems.
- Influence of unmanned and autonomous transition on maritime design.
- Novel marine design concepts, such as transport ships, service vessels, naval vessels, yachts and cruise ships, hull form design, traditional craft, or specialized and complex vessels.
- Offshore structure design methodologies, such as applications to offshore wind turbines, semi-submersibles, floating fish farms, or floating cities.
- Influence of regulations on maritime design.
- Fleet, port and transportation systems design.
- Manufacturing including design for manufacturing, design for production, and additive manufacturing impacts on design.
- Maritime design education and workforce development.
The conference includes invited speakers, technical sessions, and networking opportunities with a wide array of professionals involved in marine design.
Important Dates:
June 1, 2026: Abstract submission opens
(rolling acceptance & notification)
October 1, 2026: Abstract submission closes
January 1, 2027: Full papers due
March 1, 2027: Full paper feedback to authors
April 1, 2027: Final papers due
June 20-24, 2027: IMDC 2027
Contact Us:
If you have any comments or would like to be added to the email list for this conference, please contact imdc@mit.edu.
Sponsors:
Coming Soon