“We have compiled data that shows there is a large variation in fuel consumption between ships of the same design. This has led us to develop a new service, Build2Design, which aims at ensuring that the actual ship delivered is as good as its design,” said Michael Aasland, business director for bulk carriers at DNV GL – Maritime.
Dr Olav Rognebakke, head of hydrodynamics at DNV GL, said: “Build2Design is based on a solid theoretical foundation combined with the latest technology and uses advanced CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) calculations to identify the parameters that affect fuel consumption and the effect of each individual parameter.”
DNV GL had undertook a sensitivity analysis of over 20 parameters and considered both the complexity of addressing the parameter and the impact on fuel consumption of each parameter.
The project's results also show that the selection of the parameters will be design specific, since the flow around the ship hull varies from design to design.
“We have taken a cost/benefit approach when selecting the parameters so that the shipowner obtains the maximum benefit with the minimum impact on the shipyard,” said Aasland. “Just one of the parameters we are considering is the positioning and alignment of the bilge keel. Advanced CFD calculations show that a 0.5% reduction in resistance can be achieved by adjusting the position and angle.”
The first pilot project was carried out on the bulker Green Dolphin 39 design, and results showed that a saving of 2% can be achieved, equating to 80 metric tonnes of fuel a year and a saving of $50,000 a year.
Corresponding figures for a capesize bulk carrier are 200 metric tonnes of fue a year and a saving of $120,000 a year.
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