In this paper, a nonlinear model predictive controller for path following of a surface vessel in the presence of regular waves is studied. A model predictive controller is developed for a 3DoF unified manoeuvring model of the KVLCC2 crude oil tanker. The surge, sway and yaw motions of the ship are influenced by the second order wave drift forces and moments calculated based on a potential flow solver. Propeller thrust, rudder and hydrodynamic forces and moments are computed using empirical formulas available in the literature. For path following purposes, waypoints are assigned in head and beam wave conditions and a line of sight algorithm computes the reference heading angle. The rudder control is exerted by a nonlinear model predictive controller and the effectiveness of the controller is studied. The performance of the nonlinear model predictive controller is compared against that of a basic PID controller. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd