CFD Specialists & Marine Technology Solutions
COMMERCIAL SHIPPING
Marine technology solutions – we optimise designs to improve performance, efficiency and safety
COMMERCIAL SHIPPING
Marine technology solutions – we optimise designs to improve performance, efficiency and safety
CFD Specialists & Marine Technology Solutions
Cape Horn Engineering, is a UK-based, independent Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) consultancy trusted by clients worldwide. We lead the field in yacht & ship design optimisation, delivering practical, high-impact solutions for racing yachts, commercial ships, superyachts, and renewable energy projects.
Led by Dr.-Ing. Rodrigo Azcueta (Managing Director and naval architect with +20 years of experience), our team has powered multiple America’s Cup campaigns and dominated the Volvo Ocean Race for nearly a decade, helping three sailing teams win the iconic “Around the World” race.
Our CFD Services
Cape Horn Engineering specialises in high-fidelity performance prediction for racing yachts, sailing yachts, superyachts, motor boats, commercial ships, service operation vessels, and renewable energy structures.
What is yacht & ship design optimisation?
It is the data-driven process that uses Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to simulate how water and air interact with every surface of a vessel. Each iteration refines the hull, appendages, foils, sails and propulsion, converging on the ideal balance between speed, efficiency, comfort and regulatory compliance.
Key benefits our clients see:
- Significant fuel and emissions savings (often 5–15 % depending on the vessel)
- Measurable improvements in EEXI/EEDI ratings
- Faster, more stable and safer designs
- Reduced need for expensive physical tank testing
Our methods handle free-surface flow, viscous flow, full-scale Reynolds-number predictions, fluid-structure interaction and dynamic behaviour.
We deliver clear, actionable insights that naval architects, yacht designers and ship owners can use immediately. Our passion, attention to detail and exclusive access to the best CFD tools ensure every project gets outstanding, real-world results.
Ready to optimise your next design? Let’s talk.
SHIP DECARBONISATION & EEXI/EEDI
Cape Horn Engineering uses specialist CFD to help shipping fleets cut emissions and meet IMO rules. We deliver fast, regulatory-grade EEXI and EEDI calculations alongside hull optimisation and Energy Saving Device (ESD) analysis, covering ducts, fins, propellers, and wind-assisted propulsion, validated with leading classification societies, including Lloyds Register.
Key benefits: reduced fuel consumption, improved EEXI scores and clear comparisons of design and retrofit options.
SHIP DESIGN OPTIMISATION
Cape Horn Engineering has pioneered RANSE-based CFD for two decades. We now apply the same proven racing technology to commercial ships, cargo vessels, SOVs, CTVs and work boats.
The result is more energy-efficient hulls and appendages that reduce fuel and emissions while improving safety and comfort in real sea conditions.
What you gain: faster design iterations, lower project risk and full-scale performance you can trust.
RENEWABLE ENERGY STRUCTURES
At Cape Horn Engineering we combine our expertise in aerodynamics and hydrodynamics to optimise wind-energy rotor blades, wave-energy converters, floating platforms and their support vessels. We make Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) and Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) more efficient and reliable in harsh offshore environments, lowering their carbon footprint at the same time.
Key outcomes: higher energy capture, better stability and faster project deployment.
SUPERYACHT DESIGN OPTIMISATION
For over a decade Cape Horn Engineering has worked hand-in-hand with the world’s top superyacht designers and builders. Using detailed CFD we ensure every project achieves outstanding performance, comfort, stability and safety.
A genuinely green approach involves cutting fuel use and emissions without compromising luxury or style.
What our clients value most: early-stage optimisation, real-wave seakeeping analysis and stunning flow visualisations for both engineering and marketing.
YACHT DESIGN OPTIMISATION
Cape Horn Engineering continues to push RANSE-based CFD boundaries every day. Our racing pedigree lets us optimise sailing yachts, power boats, foiling vessels and unconventional designs for real-world performance.
We simultaneously save fuel, reduce emissions, increase speed and improve comfort and safety.
Typical results: refined hulls and foils, accurate full-envelope predictions and confident design decisions.
YACHT RACING DESIGN
Cape Horn Engineering has been at the core of simulation based America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race design campaigns for over 15 years, always pushing the boundaries. Our designs and engineering solutions have helped three sailing teams win the famous ‘Around the World’ race. We are still involved with designing IMOCA Open60, multi hulls and high-performance racing yachts. We can help you win races.
Our Sail Design Service
Our online CFD computations are for sail makers, naval architects and yacht designers.
Using state-of-the-art aerodynamic CFD and high-fidelity simulations, we optimise your sail designs and the overall boat performance in a matter of hours, not weeks.
We analyse single sails, complete inventories, multiple wind angles, weather conditions and full racecourse scenarios. You receive accurate performance rankings plus detailed visualisations of sail loads and flow behaviour, all ready for immediate use in your design or marketing materials.
Supporting clients around the world
Bill Dixon
Dixon Yacht Design
"We have been impressed by the quality and accuracy of the information supplied by Cape Horn Engineering, the whole process has been quick and efficient"
Maurizio Cossutti
Cossutti Yacht Design
"We engaged Cape Horn Engineering to improve the keel of our yacht through the use of CFD simulations for different configurations, and a wide range of race conditions. Their state-of-the-art flow analysis gave us the answers we needed to develop the design in a direction we are very pleased with, now our keel is well optimised for best performance and the rating system."
Adam Evripidou
Norman R. Wright & Sons
"From first contact, Cape Horn have been extremely professional and proficient. The manor in which they have interpreted our requests and goals has been exemplary. The whole process was seamless and the turn around time was beyond expectation. "
Roberto Biscontini
Biscontini Yacht Design
"From the very start of the design process for the new Beneteau First 53 I was decided to involve Rodrigo Azcueta and his company, I've known Rodrigo for many years and consider him a true expert in the field of CFD and hydrodynamics"
Latest News
Technical engineering team expands
As performance and efficiency become increasingly more important in reducing vessel emissions and exploring sustainable energy systems, CFD technology and design optimisation are at the forefront of ...
Project – Clean Maritime Plan
Our specialist CFD technology and expertise is at the forefront of new design solutions to enhance energy efficiency in the shipping industry. To help reduce emissions, ...
Sarissa wins “Sailing Yacht of the Year”
Sarissa wins “Sailing Yacht of the Year” at the prestigious World Superyacht Awards 2024 in Venice during last weekend’s ceremony. She also became the ...
Find out how we can help with your next project ...
Our Clients
