There is a great deal that can be done with the shape of a ship to reduce its impact upon the environment and new ideas are appearing all the time. The end product is improved efficiency,

with less fuel used and smaller emissions, but the hull can be as influential as the engine in producing this desirable result.

The shape of the hull is material in the reduction of resistance as the
vessel passes through the water, while the after ship shape in
particular will also influence the water-flow over the propeller and
improve its efficiency by reducing turbulence in this area. There are
other developments in the shape of ducts and fins which help to channel
the water into the propeller, thus ensuring that the blades of the
propeller take the maximum “bite” and thrust the ship along more
efficiently. The forepart, with its bulbous bow and carefully
engineered shape of the ship’s “entrance”, will ensure that the vessel
cuts smoothly through the water and does not push a huge pressure wave
ahead of it. Optimising this underwater shape, so that the function of
the ship to carry the maximum amount of cargo is not compromised, is a
challenge.

Coatings can be hugely influential in maintaining the
efficiency of a ship’s hull by preventing the accretion of weed or
barnacles – growth which will greatly increase the resistance and slow
the vessel down. A modern coating will repel such growth and will
maintain the hull’s smoothness as it passes through the water, month
after month. Another very exciting development which seems certain to
improve ship efficiency and reduce their environmental footprint is the
use of an “air cushion” under the flat bottom of the hull. Tests have
demonstrated that resistance, along with fuel consumption, can be
dramatically lowered by use of such an air cushion, which is maintained
by compressors pumping air out of the ship into a slightly recessed
bottom area just astern of the bow. With the ship effectively “sliding”
on this air cushion, and reduced power consequently required, the
emissions will also be significantly reduced.

One of the first ships
likely to employ this technique will be a product carrier being
designed by Stena Teknik? that is being developed as the “world’s
greenest tanker”. Fuelled by clean LNG, the Stena E-MAXair will use
this air cushion technique to reduce its fuel consumption by a
substantial 30% compared to a ship of an equivalent size operating on
conventional heavy fuel. It has even been suggested that this
revolutionary ship will be able to operate with a Kite Sail, providing
further green assistance.

Source: BIMCO Seascapes

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• STX Europe two contracts with Siem Offshore

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• New vessel from Bergen Group Handed Over to Volstad

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• Post slow down, zooms in Alang Ship Recycling

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• Ship Finance sells single-hull VLCC

    Front Duchess goes to an unrelated third party for net sales proceeds of $18.8 million Read at Ship Finance sells single hull VLCC

• STX Europe to build PSV for Simon Mkster Rederi AS

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• Kawasaki court is 180,000 DWT Bulk Carrier Cape Yamabuki

     Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation today delivered the Cape Yamabuki bulk carrier to TLC Calamus Co.,Ltd. at its Sakaide Shipyard.