The Ministry of Science and Innovation reinforces the development of research carried out at the Great Maritime Engineering Tank in Cantabria

The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities reaffirmed in 2023 its commitment to research in maritime engineering, with a grant of 200 thousand Euros awarded to the Fundación Instituto de Hidráulica de Cantabria (FIHAC), to sponsor the development of research, development and innovation (R&D&I) actions in the experimental facilities of the “Gran Tanque de Ingeniería Marítima de Cantabria” (GTIM or CCOB), where the research staff of the Institute of Environmental Hydraulics of the University of Cantabria (Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental of the University of Cantabria) will carry out their research activities.IHCantabria) conducts its trials.

Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructures (ICTS) are unique and exceptional facilities where cutting-edge research of the highest quality is carried out. ICTSs act as centers for the transmission, exchange and preservation of knowledge, the transfer of technology and the promotion of innovation, and are open to competitive access.

MARHIS (Maritime Agregated Hydraulic Infrastructures) is a distributed ICTS that aims to increase the efficiency and capacity of Spanish numerical, experimental and field facilities in coastal, port and offshore engineering. Among its facilities is the GTIM/CCOB, which is managed by FIHAC.

The GTIM/CCOB is a complex of experimental tanks and channels located in northern Spain, in the Science and Technology Park of Cantabria (PCTCAN), Santander. It is listed as an ICTS and is one of the four largest and best performing tanks in Europe, making it one of the top fifteen in the world.

With impressive dimensions – 44 meters wide, 30 meters long and variable depths of up to 3.4 meters – the GTIM/CCOB has advanced wave, current and wind generation facilities. It also has the capacity to accommodate the development of tests that require a depth equivalent to 1000 meters, on a scale of 1/100.

The GTIM/CCOB is fundamental for the development of the research carried out at IHCantabria, which has made this institute a world reference center in the provision of innovative solutions to challenges related to the integrated management of socio-ecological systems associated with water. Much of his research focuses on the study of problems related to the dynamics of the coast and its natural systems, protection infrastructures, ports, offshore platforms, marine renewable energies and specific technologies for marine applications.

The subsidy from the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities to FIHAC was direct, charged to the General State Budget, and has contributed to cover the running costs necessary to manage the R&D&I actions in the field of maritime engineering in the GTIM/CCOB.

More information can be obtained through the GTIM/CCOB, through the following link: https://ccob.ihcantabria.com/.