For decades, the Institute of Sustainable and Autonomous Maritime Systems (INAM = Institut für Nachhaltige Autonome Maritime Systeme) has been engaged in basic and applied research to develop maritime systems in various maritime related fields. The main topic of sustainability is of major importance here, as we strive to reduce the energy demand of maritime systems and to increase the system's performance. In addition, we are working on numerous research projects (see projects) regarding cavitating flows, wave-induced loads and the associated motions of ships and floating wind turbines, anchoring systems, flow-induced vibrations, ditching-induced loads of aircrafts, flow control, the maneuvering of ships, resistance and propulsion of ships in shallow waters and waves, aerodynamics of ships and wind turbines, automation of watercrafts and their propulsion systems, sloshing in partially filled tanks, impact-related slamming, and the associated safety regulations. Another important research activity is the systematic development of numerical techniques that are needed to assess research results, and the appropriate experimental methods to verify these results.

North Rhine-Westphalia and, especially, the Ruhr area are home to numerous offshore wind turbine companies. A considerable part of the turnover in the offshore wind industry is gained in North Rhine-Westphalia. The port of Duisburg is also the world's largest inland shipping port and moves about 4 million container each year through the port.

The University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) therefore is an ideal location getting trained for the professional life of an engineer. The university’s versatile and challenging study program in Mechanical Engineering focuses on Sustainable and Autonomous Maritime Systems.  This new specialization deals with modern approaches and applications used to develop sustainable and future-oriented technologies.