The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, officially launched the Hydrodynamic Wave Tank Centre at the Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology (UniKL MIMET) campus during his official visit.
This cutting-edge facility is poised to become a pivotal catalyst for the growth of Malaysia’s maritime industry.
With an investment of RM12.7 million under the 11th Malaysia Plan (RMK-11), the centre is set to enhance research, innovation, and human capital development in the marine and maritime engineering sectors.
Accompanying the Deputy Prime Minister during the visit were the Secretary General of KKDW, YBhg. Datuk Muhd Khair Razman Mohamed; the Chairman of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), YBhg. Datuk Wira Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Dato’ Dusuki; the Chairman of MARA Corporation (MARACorp), YBhg. Encik Mohamad Rafi Shahzada; the Chairman of Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), YB Dato’ Sri Sh. Mohmed Puzi Sh. Ali; as well as senior representatives from various ministries, agencies, and institutions.
The Hydrodynamic Wave Tank Centre, an internationally recognised facility, is specifically designed for learning, research, and consultancy activities involving ship models and deep-sea offshore structures. Measuring 30 meters in length, 10 meters in width, and 6 meters in depth—with an additional 4 meters at the centre—the tank is equipped with 20 paddles capable of generating waves up to 0.5 meters high, equivalent to 25-50 meters of real-world waves depending on the model scale.
Beyond producing regular, irregular, and oblique waves, the facility also includes a moving platform that can tow ship models at speeds of up to 1.5 meters per second (equivalent to 15-18 knots of actual ship speed).
This advanced setup is expected to significantly benefit 80 to 100 students per semester, particularly those from UniKL MIMET, in their academic and research pursuits.
The centre is also anticipated to attract maritime industries and agencies, both domestically and internationally, for consultancy and commercial activities under the management of the Asia Marine Design Centre (AMDeC) at UniKL MIMET.
To further realise its potential, several short- and medium-term plans are underway. These include obtaining accreditation from the International Towing Tank Conference (ITTC), fostering collaborations with government-linked companies (GLCs) such as Petronas and MISC, and establishing a regional marine design hub.
The launch of the Hydrodynamic Wave Tank Centre marks a significant milestone in Malaysia’s maritime sector, reinforcing UniKL MIMET’s commitment to innovation, education, and industry advancement.
