The Laboratory of Ship & Marine Hydrodynamics at the National Technical University of Athens belongs to the Department of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering. The Ship Model Towing Tank of the Laboratory, measuring 100 m x 5 m x 3,5 m, is unique in Greece and operational since 1979 at the Zographos campus. τhe Laboratory is a founding member of Hellas Lab (member of EuroLab), a member of the International Towing Tank Conference (ITTC) and is ISO 9002 certified (Member ITTC, HELLAS LAB, ISO 9002).

Ship and propeller models, manufactured in house, are used in the Ship Model Towing Tank of the Laboratory to conduct experiments on: ship resistance, flow visualization around the hull and the appendages, wake measurements, propeller characteristics in open water and, finally, self – propulsion. 

The seakeeping qualification of ships and other floating structures in rough seas are studied either experimentally in a wave tank or analytically using existing extensive computer codes. Thus, one can determine quantitatively whether a ship or a floating structure satisfies criteria as: passenger comfort, crew effectiveness, operational characteristics (for naval or other special ships) and strength of the ship structure. The Ship Model Towing Tank is equipped with a modern wavemaker that can create realistic sea states.

The Laboratory for Ship and Marine Hydrodynamics, using its experimental capabilities and its many analytical tools, can support the optimization of new designs or ship conversions. Several such special studies and experiments, of use to ship designers, are listed below:

• Hydrodynamic design of conventional ships (design of hull forms, bulbous bows, sponsors, antirolling devices, appendages etc.)
• Hydrodynamic design of modern ships (fast and planning ships, single hull and catamaran). 
• Design of ship propulsion systems. Determination of the wave climate in a sea region and determination of the corresponding ship operability. Optimization of the ship lines with respect to her seakeeping qualities. 
• Sailing yacht experiments using a five-component balance. 
• Calibration of current meters and wave height meters. 
• Special measurements on board of ships and floating structures using modern data acquisition systems.
• Industrial aerodynamics for ship superstructures using the large subsonic wind tunnel of the Laboratory of Aerodynamics of N.T.U.A.