Dr. Nico van der Kolk

Founder & Naval Architect AlbatrosDigital

Nico van der Kolk is the founder of AlbatrosDigital and a senior-level Naval Architect specializing in advanced ship hydrodynamics, wind propulsion, and digital twin technology. He holds a Ph.D. in Ship Hydromechanics from Delft University of Technology, where his research focused on the hydrodynamics of wind propulsion.

Throughout his career, Nico has combined cutting-edge technology with a commitment to sustainable innovation, working in senior roles at Groot Ship Design and Blue Wasp Marine before launching AlbatrosDigital. His current work centers on building digital tools that enhance ship design, performance, and operational efficiency, helping to drive a smarter and more sustainable maritime future.

At AlbatrosDigital, Nico is pioneering the next generation of digital ship models — from initial design stages to real-time monitoring — to improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and optimize vessel operations across the shipping industry.

Albatross Digital helps vessels by providing advanced digital ship models that accurately predict vessel behavior and fuel consumption under real-world sea and weather conditions. These models factor in each ship’s unique characteristics – such as hull shape, engine type, and installed energy-saving devices – to enable smarter operational decisions and improve energy efficiency.