Frank Sill Torres takes up the Chair in Maritime Systems Resilience at the University of Bremen
In April 2026, Frank Sill Torres took up the chair in ‘Resilience of Maritime Systems’ at the University of Bremen within the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. At the same time, he assumed official leadership of the Institute for the Protection of Maritime Infrastructure at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), a role he had already been fulfilling on an interim basis since 2023. The scientific and technical work of the DLR Institute focuses on the resilience of maritime infrastructure.
Protection of Critical Maritime Infrastructure
The new professorship focuses on the security and resilience of critical maritime infrastructure (KRITIS). The central question is how systems such as offshore wind farms or ports can remain operational despite disruptions, or return to a functional state within a reasonable timeframe. The research primarily focuses on model-based methods for the quantitative assessment of resilience. Whilst qualitative approaches provide only rough estimates, this research aims to mathematically calculate the resilience of cyber-physical systems.
Traditional risk analyses reach their limits when applied to modern, highly complex systems. Research is shifting its focus from mere error prevention to the strategic management of disruptions as they occur. This is a highly topical issue both politically and socially. Precise metrics are to be used to predict how quickly and effectively a system – for example, the power supply to a wind farm – can return to normal operation following an incident.
“My aim is to create strong synergies between the university and the DLR and to firmly embed resilience research within the academic curriculum. This will enable students to apply the knowledge they have learnt in a practical research context. In this way, the DLR and the University are making a direct contribution to the sustainable strengthening of the resilience of maritime systems,” says Prof. Frank Sill Torres, Director of the DLR Institute for the Protection of Maritime Infrastructure and Professor of Maritime Systems Resilience at the University of Bremen.
Professor Sill Torres combines many years of international experience with technical expertise. After completing his degree and PhD in electrical engineering and obtaining his habilitation in computer science, he spent many years conducting research at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil. For more than 15 years, his research has focused on the reliability of cyber-physical systems.