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[ in-depth ]
Boosting
ferry
efficiency
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in-depth
“interest
Levels of installed power are often relatively high
in ferries and it is this segment that competes most clearly with
demand of a ship. Conventional
ferries often operate at Froude in saving
other forms of transport such as road, rail and air. Higher fuel numbers between 0.25 and 0.35.
costs therefore have a big impact on the bottom line and can The relatively high hull speeds of fuel
encourage a modal shift away from sea transportation. This would displacement-type vessels make
be undesirable, since there is a common need to transfer both people
and goods from overloaded road and rail networks to more efficient
hydrodynamic optimization
particularly important. The
remains.”
sea transportation routes. block coefficient of such vessels
Even though current oil prices are lower than the levels achieved should be kept low so that their
last year, expectations are that prices will move back to high levels in resistance to moving through the water is as small as possible.
the future. Interest in saving fuel therefore remains - and exploiting Using low-weight structures is therefore beneficial, especially as
every possible method of reducing costs is of course essential for the ship’s lightship weight (LWT) represents a big proportion of
survival in this fiercely competitive sector. the total displacement in a ferry. Careful optimization of the main
Another important factor is pollution. Ferries that operate close dimensions is of the utmost importance during the initial stage in
to shore, often berthing in densely populated areas, are under ferry design. Lengthening the hull often reduces power demand
significant public pressure to reduce their exhaust emissions. This significantly. This can be seen from the benefit a ferry can achieve
further increases the need to cut power demands. by adding a ducktail to give a longer effective waterline. Other stern
features such as trim wedges and interceptors can also yield very
[ in-depth ]
Multiple specifications. Ferries transport a mix of wheel-based good results. As fast monohulls and catamarans operate in the semi-
cargo, cars and passengers. Ferry types in use today cover everything displacement mode, saving weight becomes even more important.
from high-speed craft and small double-enders to large RoPax vessels
and luxury cruise ferries. Reducing appendage drag. Ferries often have a low draft and twin-
Ferries usually operate on short routes with a fixed itinerary and screw propulsion is very common. As the two shaft lines result in
regular schedules. Their speed is tailored to suit each route so that relatively large drag, appendage design can have a major impact
the desired departure and arrival times can be offered. Speed and on power demand. Alternative configurations include combining
displacement are the two dominating factors affecting the power a shaft line in the centre skeg with either a single pulling thruster
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“A ferry’s
The need for speed also payload controlled pumps are an attractive option for many
influences the decision on auxiliary systems. This is particularly true for ferries
whether a vessel should have
a lower RoRo hold. Although
functions can operating in climates that are significantly cooler than
the maximum temperatures used when dimensioning
this feature increases a ferry’s the vessel’s systems.
payload capacity, operations be divided into Since ferries operate on widely varying routes with
in port will be slower. In different cargo mixes and have to meet a range of
many cases, investment
in port infrastructure can
passenger passenger expectations, they are tailored to meet specific
operator demands. A good ship designer should tailor
be more beneficial. Cargo the whole ship concept to achieve the best possible
operations carried out using facilities and efficiency as it carries out its defined mission.
two-level link spans can
be completed much more
rapidly than when single-
RoRo spaces.”
level ramps are employed.
High-power tunnel thrusters offer good manoeuvring
characteristics, reducing port time. In many cases they are also Definitions
installed in the vessel’s stern to provide additional side thrust. If a
Froude number. The Froude number is a dimensionless
CRP or Wing Thruster concept is applied, it will not only improve
number indicating the relationship between a vessel’s length
propulsion efficiency but also enhance manoeuvring and give shorter
and its speed.
turnaround times.
Block coefficient Cb. The ratio of the underwater volume
Reducing the hotel load. A ferry’s payload functions can be divided
[ in-depth ]
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