Marco Gaiotti | Shipbuilding | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Marco Gaiotti | Shipbuilding | Best Researcher Award

Università di Genova | Italy

Marco Gaiotti is an associate professor in ship structures and marine engineering whose work focuses on the structural behavior, fabrication effects, and ultimate strength of ships and offshore structures. Holding a Bachelor (2005), Master (2008), and PhD (2012) in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the Università degli Studi di Genova, he has developed expertise in composite materials, fabrication-induced imperfections, and advanced simulation techniques. His academic career includes progressive research appointments leading to his current professorship, along with coordination roles for the Nautical Engineering and Yacht Design programs. Gaiotti has contributed internationally as a visiting researcher at NAOE–Osaka University and through long-standing service within the ISSC, where he has served as specialist member, award-winning expert, and Chairman of Committee III.1 on Ultimate Strength. He has led competitive research initiatives, notably the EU-funded LeaderSHIP project (2023–2027), promoting innovation, skills development, and collaboration in the maritime sector. His work also extends to technology transfer, including a patented method for validating robotic inspection technologies in naval environments. With 454 citations by 341 documents, 67 documents, and an h-index of 12, his research continues to advance materials, structural performance, and safety in marine engineering.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Gaiotti, M., Brubak, L., Chen, B.-Q., Darie, I., Georgiadis, D., Shiomitsu, D., Kõrgesaar, M., Lv, Y., Nahshon, K., Paredes, M., et al. (2026). “Evaluating numerical simulation accuracy for full-scale high-strength steel ship structures: Insights from the ISSC 2025 Ultimate Strength Committee benchmark on transversely stiffened panels” in Marine Structures.

Aguiari, M., Gaiotti, M., & Rizzo, C.M. (2022). “Ship weight reduction by parametric design of hull scantling” in Ocean Engineering.

Aguiari, M., Gaiotti, M., & Rizzo, C.M. (2022). “A design approach to reduce hull weight of naval ships” in Ship Technology Research.

Poggi, L., Gaggero, T., Gaiotti, M., Ravina, E., & Rizzo, C.M. (2022). “Robotic inspection of ships: inherent challenges and assessment of their effectiveness” in Ships and Offshore Structures.

Ringsberg, J.W., Darie, I., Nahshon, K., Shilling, G., Vaz, M.A., Benson, S., Brubak, L., Feng, G., Fujikubo, M., Gaiotti, M., et al. (2021). “The ISSC 2022 Committee III.1–Ultimate strength benchmark study on the ultimate limit state analysis of a stiffened plate structure subjected to uniaxial compressive loads” in Marine Structures.

Qifei Du | Optimization Techniques | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Qifei Du | Optimization Techniques | Best Researcher Award

College of Safety and Ocean Engineering China University of Petroleum | China

Mr. Du Qifei is an Assistant Engineer and graduate student in Mechanical Engineering at the College of Safety and Ocean Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing. His academic and professional journey centers on marine equipment structural design, with active contributions to research and innovation in marine engineering. He has participated in key R&D projects such as the study on the influence mechanism of freezing and thawing effect of Arctic permafrost on oil and gas pipelines, alongside consultancy and industry collaborations involving underwater pressurization systems and offshore wind power platform integration. Du Qifei has filed an impressive number of patents spanning underwater connectors, subsea protection devices, dredging systems, pipeline technologies, and advanced agricultural equipment. His research interests include structural simulation and optimization of marine systems, sealing performance of metal seals, underwater pressurization, and the effects of environmental stressors on marine infrastructure. Recognized for his contributions to national-level technological programs and innovation in offshore engineering, he continues to bridge theoretical research with industrial applications. With a focus on sustainable and resilient marine structures, his work contributes to advancing safe and efficient solutions for global offshore engineering challenges.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

“Design and key technology of underwater oil and gas pressurization system”
“A lifting three-dimensional garage”
“A logistics distribution system”
“A mechanical and electrical equipment testing platform”
“A mining system”
“A non-destructive apple picking device”