Investigating hydrodynamic aspects and control strategies for ship-to-ship operations

Applications of ship-to-ship operations for cargo transfer are expected to be increasing in the future. Export of Russian crude oil from Murmansk is based on ship-to-ship transfer from floating storage vessels. It is assumed that future development of Nor thwest Russian onshore and offshore fields will increase the need for ship-to-ship transfer from ice strengthened vessels to standard vessels for transport of oil and gas products to customers in Europe and the US. Increasing application of ship-to-ship t ransfer operations in Europe has led to an initiative by Maritime Safety Umbrella Organisation (MSUO) to investigate the need for adding such operations to the R&D agenda for the new EC 7th Framework programme. The project has two major strands, the first one investigates hydrodynamic aspects of ship-to-ship operations using both theoretical and experimental tools. The second strand takes care of nautical aspects of ship-to-ship operations, application of interaction forces in simulation of multiple ship operations and development of new tools for supporting operational personnel. The two first work packages of the project are focused on numerical models for calculation of interaction forces for ships in close proximity. A viscous based problem definition will be solved using different computational fluid dynamics tools and compared with potential theory results. Calculated flow fields will be checked against physical models where Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) is used for visualisation of particle moti on. The third work package includes rewriting of existing real time simulation models to add an improved model for interaction effects between vessels in close proximity. Workpackage no. 4 studies nautical and control aspects when performing close quarter multiple ship operations. Field tests will be part of this activity. The last two work packages will take care of dissemination activities and project management.