diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/rrs6to18/rrs6to18.cfg b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/rrs6to18/rrs6to18.cfg
index 90002b88c9..a5443e9a98 100644
--- a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/rrs6to18/rrs6to18.cfg
+++ b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/rrs6to18/rrs6to18.cfg
@@ -41,6 +41,11 @@ forward_update_pio = False
 # the approximate number of cells in the mesh
 approx_cell_count = 4000000
 
+# time step per resolution (s/km), since dt is proportional to resolution
+dt_per_km = 10
+# barotropic time step per resolution (s/km)
+btr_dt_per_km = 0.5
+
 ## metadata related to the mesh
 # the prefix (e.g. QU, EC, WC, SO)
 prefix = RRS