Ship hull optimization – past, present, prospects

ABSTRACT

The paper surveys the development of practical ship hull optimization over more than five decades and trends to extrapolate to (likely) future applications. The paper looks at individual elements of hull optimization, such as geometric model, hydrodynamic model, optimization algorithms, and objective functions (and constraints). For all elements, the discussion includes further room for improvement or further R&D efforts.

KEYWORDS:

• Optimization
• CFD
• parametric modelling
• container carrier
• operational profile
• Fuel consumption
• CO₂ reduction
• Cost reduction

Acknowledgements

In writing this paper, we drew on the expertise and insights of many colleagues who have contributed over the years much to our knowledge of the field of practical hull optimization. We acknowledge gratefully Adrian Biran, Emilio F. Campana, Matteo Diez, Thomas Hildebrandt, Stefan Harries, Daniele Peri, and Auke van der Ploeg and of course Horst Nowacki.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).