Tokyo – ClassNK announced today that they have started full scale ship tests to develop a feedback scheme on the design for ships performances in actual seas in collaboration with Imabari Shipbuilding Co and Sayonas Shipbuilding.
During this joint research project, the energy saving operation support system “ClassNK-NAPA GREEN” provided by the Society and NAPA will be installed in the ships constructed by each companies mentioned above, then the effectiveness of the energy saving operation support by means of this system will be verified. With the feedback obtained from gathering and analyzing the various information obtained from the operations, this project’s objective is to help with a total optimization of performances regarding the fuel efficiency not only in calm seas but also in actual seas.
Shipyards confirm ships performances in calm seas during the sea trials of newly built ships, but the actual situation is that it remains difficult to correctly understand performances in actual seas and draft conditions after the entry in service. Therefore, after analyzing information actually obtained during the operations with the “ClassNK-NAPA GREEN” system, and then grasping the relationship between draft, trim, main engine output, vessel speed and, marine weather information etc. This information will be used to realize an upgraded ship design improving performance in actual seas.
ClassNK believes that if this scheme is established, it will bring developments and projects for ships reducing environmental burden, and strengthen the international competitiveness.
I hope the dont lose sight of the fact that voyages begin and end in the narrow confines of a port. Optimizing for sea conditions is like optimizing a golf club to be stored in a golf bag. Even though the club spends 99.99% of its time in the bag it still needs to hit the ball occasionally. Too many ships these days are being built with marginal maneuvering characteristics.
It's hard for a land lover like me to believe that a ship designer doesn't design with sea handling characteristics in mind. Must be a result of the fact that the "designer" will never have to "go to sea" in the vessel?
Maneuvering in deep water in the open ocean is one thing. Maneuvering in shallow water in a narrow channel with lots of traffic is more demanding. Naval architects tend to design ships with a whole lot of priorities and maneuvering is not top on the list. So they try to make a ship that meets all the requirements they are given and can still maneuver acceptably. Like designing a car that can only operate on a freeway… who moves the wheel more than a quarter turn on the interstate, but at some point you have to exit and come to an intersection and make a 90 degree turn. Can you do that with a quarter turn on the wheel? Naval architects give us ships that maneuver like cars with a restricted steering wheel.