The primary aim of the IJOPE is to serve engineers and researchers worldwide by disseminating technical information of permanent interest in the fields of offshore, ocean, polar energy/resources and materials engineering. The IJOPE is the principal periodical of The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE), which is very active in the dissemination of technical information and organization of symposia and conferences in these fields throughout the world.Theoretical, experimental and engineering research papers are welcome. Brief reports of research results or outstanding engineering achievements of likely interest to readers will be published in the Technical Notes format.