Performance of Ships in Actual Seas Research Group
PERFORMANCE OF SHIPS IN ACTUAL SEAS RESEARCH GROUP
Accurate evaluation of speed and fuel consumption performance in the presence of waves and wind, where vessels navigate, enables highly efficient operation of ships in actual sea conditions.
This group conducts R & D of design technology for ships with excellent speed, fuel efficiency, and energy-saving operation technology in actual seas and works to improve performance in actual seas from both shipbuilding and marine transportation perspectives, as well as to study technologies such as GHG emission regulations from ships, which are currently under discussion internationally.
Members
(◎: Head of the Group)
Research Introduction
1. Ship Performance Simulator in Actual Seas: VESTA
We have developed and provided 「VESTA, a ship performance simulator in actual seas. 」
VESTA accurately calculates speed reduction and fuel consumption in actual seas through a highly accurate method of calculating increased wave resistance. It has acquired the program certification from ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai) for the judgment function of the minimum propulsion power rule in the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI).
Click here to learn more about the 10 Modes of the Sea Project we carried out to develop a method for evaluating actual sea performance. → 
the 10 Modes of the Sea Project
2. Energy Saving Device for Reduction of increased Resistance by Waves: STEP
Vessels navigating in actual seas are affected by waves and wind, and these external forces increase resistance and deteriorate propulsive efficiency due to changes in the flow field and load degree around the propeller. We have developed STEP, an actual sea area energy-saving device to reduce resistance due to waves, the main external force acting on the hull, for reducing GHG emissions in actual operations.
3. Energy-saving Bow Shapes for Actual Seas: COVE
The energy-saving bow COVE in actual seas has an energy-saving bow shape with an upward frame line sloping inward from the static water level rise, and it saves about 10% energy in actual seas (wave height: 3 m).
Energy-saving Bow Shapes for Actual Seas: COVE
4. Actual Operation Optimization: Optimal Trim Operation
While weather routing, slow-speed operation, and other methods are adopted to improve energy efficiency during operation, optimal trim operation, in which the trim condition of a vessel is adjusted according to its loading condition to improve drag and propulsive performance, is attracting attention. We conduct the following studies through tank tests and numerical calculations.
5.Ice Sea Technology: Ice Sea Vessels
For the use of the Northern Sea Route for ships, which is expected as a measure against global warming, it is crucial to evaluate ice conditions and the speed and fuel efficiency of vessels going on the ice sea. We are working to improve the accuracy of our speed and fuel consumption evaluation methods, including those for ice navigation, by utilizing Ice Tank.
