Performance monitoring II:
Vessel performance control

Performance monitoring based on a ship propulsion model developed within DCMT. 

This project is a brilliant example of how core hydrodynamic R&D is turned into a commercial product. Starting with the development of a generic ship propulsion model a theoretical model has been turned into a commercial product with a large potential for monitoring hull and propeller fouling.

The annual fuel consumption of a Panmax containership is up to 16 million USD. Between the ship’s docking intervals, hull fouling may increase the fuel consumption with as much as 20% and propeller fouling may lead to increased fuel consumption of up to 5%. Therefore, monitoring of hull and propeller fouling is very important.

The model includes mathematical models of the engine and propeller characteristics as well as a model of the hull resistance.

The propulsion model considers both the actual loading condition of the vessel and external conditions, for example weather conditions.

The utility of the ship propulsion model has led FORCE Technology to develop SeaTrend which has been installed and tested on a number of vessels.

SeaTrend makes it is possible to monitor the hydrodynamic performance of hull and propeller due to fouling. The system is simple and cost-effective, and access to on-line performance reports via the SeaTrend web makes it very useful in determining the optimal docking time.