Back to search

MAROFF-2-Maritim virksomhet og offsh-2

Propulsion in seaways

Awarded: NOK 3.6 mill.

Current practice for design of propulsion systems is based mainly on analysis of calm water performance. The effects of seaways & motions of the ships & floating offshore structures are supposed to be taken into account by using high safety factors. Howev er the problems are not necessarily solved by oversized dimensioning of the propulsors & machinery. Offshore vessels & FPSOs have experienced downtime & operational problems due to propulsion failure. These occur due to fatigue & extreme loads, for which excessive motions of ships in harsh seaway, emersion of propeller may be responsible. The effects of excessive motions on extreme loads of propulsion units have not been studied in details so far. Oversized & un-optimised propulsion systems lead to higher fuel consumption, which has both negative financial & environmental consequences. These call for methods to find dynamic loads & responses related to operation of propulsion units in heavy seas. PROPSEAS (Propulsion in Seaways) will meet challenges by a pplying the state-of-the-art experimental & numerical methods, which are also subject to further development during the project. The partners are world leading in their fields of expertise. A research institute with the advanced laboratories, universities with high level of know-how in numerical methods & performance in seaways, one of the world leading propulsor manufacturers, one of the worlds major classification societies & a large offshore shipping company. Based on the gained know-how & by using th e methods developed in the project, new propulsors can be designed more suitable for the harsh conditions. Implementing the know-how in the design of new control systems can result in identification & avoidance of worst conditions for propulsion systems. New adapted & optimised propulsors can lead to lower fuel consumption & lower emissions. Guidelines & recommendations will be worked out, which will provide competitive edge know to European marine industries.

Funding scheme:

MAROFF-2-Maritim virksomhet og offsh-2