Model-based design is a technique that is used for the development and testing of systems under design. With model-based design text based specifications, operational procedures and performance descriptions are replaced by models and simulations.

Model based design originates from the aerospace and automotive industry and is now spreading out to every industry where complex computer controlled machines are designed.

This paper will show the benefits that model-based design can bring to offshore and marine engineering and describes the technology that is needed. Several cases are described how Controllab has successfully applied model-based design in the marine and offshore industry in the last 10 years.