Safe Ship Operation Research Articles

Experimental Studies on Seakeeping and Maneuverability of Ships in Adverse Weather Conditions

The introduction of the energy efficiency design index (EEDI), which is applicable for various types of new-built ships after January 1,2013, raised concerns regarding the sufficiency of propulsion power and steering devices to maintain maneuverability in adverse conditions. This was the motivation for the initiation of the EU research project SHOPERA (Energy Efficient Safe SHip OPERAtion, 2013–2016, http://www.shopera.org). The aim of this article is the development of suitable methods, tools, and guidelines to effectively address the above concerns and to enable safe and green shipping. Within the framework of SHOPERA, a comprehensive experimental program of more than 1300 different model tests for three ship hulls of different geometry and hydrodynamic characteristics has been conducted by four leading European maritime experimental research institutes: MARINTEK, Norway; CEHIPAR, Spain; Technische Universität Berlin, Germany; and Flanders Hydraulics Research, Belgium. The tested hull types refer to two public domain designs, namely the KVLCC2 tanker and the Duisburg Test Case (DTC) container ship, as well as to a small RoPax ferry design, which is a proprietary hull design of a member of the SHOPERA consortium. The conducted tests were distributed among the four research institutes to benefit from the unique possibilities of each facility and to gain added value by establishing data sets for the same hull model and test type at different under keel clearances. This article presents the scope of the SHOPERA model test program for the two public domain hull models—the KVLCC2 and the DTC. The main particulars and loading conditions for the two vessels as well as the experimental setup is provided to support the interpretation of the experimental data that is presented. The focus lies on the added resistance and drift forces at zero and moderate forward speed, propulsion, and rudder force tests in waves and the assessment of maneuverability of ships in waves, as compared to calm water conditions.

Making sense of Arctic maritime traffic using the Polar Operational Limits Assessment Risk Indexing System (POLARIS)

Maritime traffic volume in the Arctic is growing for several reasons: climate change is resulting in less ice in extent, duration, and thickness; economic drivers are inducing growth in resource extraction traffic, community size (affecting resupply) and adventure tourism. This dynamic situation, coupled with harsh weather, variable operating conditions, remoteness, and lack of straightforward emergency response options, demand robust risk management processes. The requirements for risk management for polar ship operations are specified in the new International Maritime Organization (IMO) International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code). The goal of the Polar Code is to provide for safe ship operations and protection of the polar environment by addressing the risk present in polar waters. Risk management is supported by evidence-based models, including threat identification (types and frequency of hazards), exposure levels, and receptor characterization. Most of the information used to perform risk management in polar waters is attained in-situ, but increasingly is being augmented with open-access remote sensing information. In this paper we focus on the use of open-access historical ice charts as an integral part of northern navigation, especially for route planning and evaluation.

Energy Efficient Safe SHip Operation (SHOPERA)

The 2012 guidelines on the method of calculation of the attained Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships, MEPC.212(63), as updated by MEPC 245(66) in April 2014, represent a major step forward in implementing energy efficiency regulations for ships through the introduction of the EEDI limits for various types of ships. There are, however, serious concerns regarding the sufficiency of propulsion power and steering devices to maintain manoeuvrability of ships in adverse conditions, hence regarding the safety of ships, if the EEDI requirements are achieved by simply reducing the installed engine power. This was the rationale for a new EU funded research project with the acronym SHOPERA (2013-2016), aiming at developing suitable methods, tools and guidelines to effectively address these concerns. The paper discusses the background of project SHOPERA and outlines the formulation of suitable criteria and methods for the assessment of ship's manoeuvrability and safety under adverse weather conditions.

Adverse Weather Conditions for Ship Manoeuvrability

A definition of the severity or adversity of met-ocean conditions under which ships need to maintain manoeuvrability is a basis for formulating power and steering requirements for ships. Specification of such adverse weather conditions is one of the objectives of the SHOPERA (Energy Efficient Safe SHip OPERAtion) (2013–2016) project, funded by the European Commission in the frame of FP7. Three distinct situations requiring different adverse weather criteria are considered in the project: manoeuvring in the open sea, manoeuvring in coastal waters and low-speed manoeuvring in restricted areas. The purpose of the present study is twofold, first to investigate met-ocean climate associated with the three selected scenarios and specifying its main properties, second identifying critical met-ocean characteristics requiring sensitivity studies in numerical simulations and model tests. Both measured and hindcast data are used in the analysis. The North Atlantic deep water met-ocean environment and three coastal locations are considered. Seaway joint statistics for ship routes across the North Atlantic and in European coastal areas is supporting the investigations. It is shown that met-ocean conditions vary significantly in deep and coastal waters with regard to the likelihood of occurrence of sea states as well as their characteristics.

Conditions Of Safe Ship Operations And Sea Waterway Parameters Based On The Reconstruction Of Świnoujście-Szczecin Fairway

Abstract This paper describes the state vector of safe ship operation on sea waterways. The author determines relationships between the state vector of safe ship operation and parameters of sea waterway system elements. These include three subsystems: area, navigation and traffic control. These relationships have been exemplified with the 68-kilometre Świnoujście-Szczecin fairway, presently under reconstruction. A systematic approach to sea waterway design is globally unique.

Use of HFACS–FCM in fire prevention modelling on board ships

This research proposes a proactive modelling approach that combines Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) and Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS). Principally, the suggested model helps predicting and eliminating the root causes behind the frequently repeating deficiencies on board ships. Supported with qualitative simulations, the HFACS–FCM model is demonstrated on a fire related deficiency sample database. The findings indicate that the root causes of a fire related deficiency on board ship might be revealed in various levels such as unsafe acts, pre-conditions for unsafe acts, unsafe supervision, and organization influences. Considering the determined root causes and their priorities, the Safe Ship System Mechanism (SSSM), Safe Ship Operation Mechanism (SSOM), and Safe Ship Execution Mechanism (SSEM) are constituted. Consequently, the paper has added value to both predicting the root causes and enhancing fire-fighting potential which provides reasonable contributions to safety improvements at sea.

Economic Efficiency of Sea Transport. Case Study: Constanţa - Galaţi

Abstract One of the major problems faced by the twenty-first century society lies in ensuring sustainable growth that allows future generations to benefit from development conditions similar with those of our days in terms of impact, significance and relevance. For this purpose, a highly important role is played by the efficiency of companies’ economic activities, regardless of the field of activity. Sea transport companies attempt to meet these requirements by optimizing the shipping routes between ports, setting the ship capacity according to the consignment and typology of goods, sending the river-sea ships on voyages with potential for profit on some transport routes, and completing the voyage within the shortest possible time, with minimum risks and expenses etc. Through the current scientific research, the author wishes to address all these challenges and use particular case studies to highlight how the Romanian water transport between two ports—a sea port, Constanta, and an inland port, Galaţi—can be optimized. The author's calculations based on three different scenarios using ships of different cargo-carrying capacities indicate the optimum ratio between the shipped quantity, the costs of each voyage and the potential profit. The author has con-ducted a careful analysis of the various costs associated with the perfectly safe operation of seagoing and river-sea ships. The paper has significant managerial implications and a great potential for the scientific research in this field.

Kultura bezpieczenstwa (Safety Culture) w systemie zarzadzania bezpieczna eksploatacja statkow i zapobiegania zanieczyszczeniom

Kultura bezpieczenstwa (Safety Culture) w systemie zarzadzania bezpieczna eksploatacja statkow i zapobiegania zanieczyszczeniom

Studying Sea Waterway System with the Aid of Computer Simulation Methods

Abstract The article presents a systematic approach to studying sea waterways. Relations between the parameters of sea waterway system elements and the conditions of safe ship operation are determined. Principles of formulation of the simulation experiment research process in the sea waterway system design process at the preliminary and detailed design stages are defined.

Construction of the Iridium Phone System for Extra-Large Ore Carrier

Focus on the working condition of extra-large ore carrier, analyze the necessary means of communication on this kind of ship, based on Iridium satellite communications advantage, builds the Iridium phone system as a complement to the communication on ship, to ensure the safe operation of ships.

Research on the Real Time Monitor and Evaluation System of the Crews' Work Pressure

Draw on the motor vehicle drivers' psychological quality comprehensive evaluation method, Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process, to scientific and rational analyze the current crew working pressure source and build a hierarchy strike indicators weight values by MATLAB software. Based on each weight index value, monitoring and evaluation the working pressure of the crewman and the whole crews, the results of the evaluation has a great significance on assessing the wayward seafarers and the Safe Operation of Ships' ability for ship management companies, maritime services sector.

상관값 누적 기반 DS-UWB 레이더 시스템

본 논문에서는 선박 접안 유도 시스템 등 정밀한 거리 추정을 요하는 안전항해운항, 선박트래픽관리 등의 분야에 알맞은 상관값 누적 기반 직접 수열 초광대역 (direct sequence ultra wideband: DS-UWB) 레이더 시스템을 제안한다. 제안하는 DS-UWB 레이더 시스템은 상관기 출력들을 누적하여 잡음을 평균냄으로써 잡음 성분의 영향을 줄이며, 기존의 DS-UWB 레이더 시스템들에 비해 더 빠른 시간에 신뢰성 있는 거리 추정을 수행한다. 모의실험 결과를 통해 제안하는 DS-UWB 레이더 시스템이 기존의 DS-UWB 레이더 시스템들에 비해 평균 상관 처리 시간이 더 짧을 뿐 아니라, 더 좋은 거리 추정 성능을 보임을 확인한다. In this paper, we propose a direct sequence ultra wideband (DS-UWB) radar system based on correlation accumulation in the fields of the ship traffic control and the safe ship operation including docking guidance systems. The proposed DS-UWB radar system averages out the noise by accumulating correlator outputs, and thus, provides a reliable distance estimation performance with a shorter estimation time compared with conventional DS-UWB radar systems. From numerical results, it is confirmed that the proposed DS-UWB radar system has not only a shorter average correlation processing time, but also a better distance estimation performance.

Real-Time Model Method Research in Ship Pipeline System Leakage Detecting

Leakage of ship pipeline system has become a great hidden danger, which affects safe operation of ship and causes environmental pollution. In order to isolate leaking pipeline safely in emergency conditions, Real-time monitoring of ship pipeline system leakage is very important. In this paper, the real-time models of ship isothermal and thermal pipeline were established with a set of equations which is running synchronized with the actual execution pipeline, and the real-time model method was used to monitor ship pipeline system leakage. If the difference between measured values and calculated values is greater than a certain range, pipeline leakage is identified. The location of leakage is calculated based on pressure gradient. Only pressure, flow and temperature of the first and second end of the pipeline were needed, can this method achieve leakage detecting and locating. According to the analysis and verification from the experimental data, this method has high leakage resolution and positioning accuracy.

USE OF BAYESIAN METHOD FOR ASSESSING VESSEL TRAFFIC RISKS AT SEA

Risks associated with a vessel traffic system at sea are analyzed according to the elements in this system and a new method is developed to ensure safe ship operation. Based on Bayes' point estimation and probability influence diagram to estimate the traffic accidents related to vessel traffic, an analysis model is established for the quantitative risk assessment (QRA) of the vessel traffic system at sea. After the analysis on occurrence likelihood of the accidents related to ship traffic, a structure on the basis of Bayesian networks is developed to obtain the QRA of their relative risks. QRA is also put forward after analyzing the features and situations of the vessel traffic system and identifying the corresponding hazards including characteristics of those hazards. The risk distributions of ship traffic are described and results are presented on QRA in relation to various features by using this risk assessment model. This method, verified in the cases of QRA, turns out to be feasible by the use of identified posterior probability.

A hybrid design methodology for structuring an Integrated Environmental Management System (IEMS) for shipping business

The International Safety Management (ISM) Code defines a broad framework for the safe management and operation of merchant ships, maintaining high standards of safety and environmental protection. On the other hand, ISO 14001:2004 provides a generic, worldwide environmental management standard that has been utilized by several industries. Both the ISM Code and ISO 14001:2004 have the practical goal of establishing a sustainable Integrated Environmental Management System (IEMS) for shipping businesses. This paper presents a hybrid design methodology that shows how requirements from both standards can be combined into a single execution scheme. Specifically, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Axiomatic Design (FAD) are used to structure an IEMS for ship management companies. This research provides decision aid to maritime executives in order to enhance the environmental performance in the shipping industry.

Characteristics of low-frequency motions of ships moored inside ports and harbors on the basis of field observations

In order to understand characteristics of low-frequency motions of ships moored inside ports and harbors, analysis on actual cargo handling logbook of stevedoring services company, including events of interruption of cargo handling, and countermeasure for ship mooring problems are investigated by field observations at two ports and numerical simulation on moored ship motions. First model port concerns with interruption of cargo handling due to the low-frequency motions. Second model port relates to a resonant effect of long-period waves or harbor oscillations, and its countermeasure by mooring system. From the investigation, it is confirmed that the low-frequency motions of ships are induced by a resonance between surge motions and long-period waves or harbor oscillations and an asymmetry in the mooring system, and affect safe ship mooring and operation efficiency of cargo handling in ports and harbors significantly.

Transient wave model testing for the evaluation of extreme motions and loads of ships and semisubmersibles

This paper describes techniques to synthesize deterministic task-related ‘rogue’ waves or critical wave groups for engineering applications. These extreme events, represented by local characteristics like tailored design wave sequences, are integrated in a random or deterministic seaway with a defined energy density spectrum. If a strictly deterministic process is established, cause and effect are clearly related: at any position the non-linear surface elevation and the associated pressure field as well as the velocity and acceleration fields can be determined. Also the point of wave/structure interaction can be selected arbitrarily, and any test can be repeated deliberately. Wave-structure interaction is decomposable into subsequent steps: surface elevation — wave kinematics and dynamics — forces on structure components and the entire structure — structure motions. Firstly, the generation of linear wave groups is presented. The method is based on the wave focussing technique. For a target Fourier wave spectrum a tailored wave sequence can be assigned to a selected position. This wave train is linearly transformed back to the wave maker and — by introducing the electro-hydraulic and hydrodynamic transfer functions of the wave generator — the associated control signal is calculated. The generation of steeper and higher wave groups requires a more sophisticated approach as propagation velocity increases with wave height. With a semi-empirical procedure the control signal of extremely high wave groups is determined, and the propagation of the associated wave train is calculated by iterative integration of coupled equations of particle tracks. In general, extremely high ‘rogue’ waves or critical wave groups are rare events embedded in a random seaway. The most efficient and economical procedure to simulate and generate such a specified wave scenario for a given design variance spectrum is based on the appropriate superposition of component waves or wavelets. The desired characteristics like wave height and period as well as crest height and steepness are defined by an appropriate objective function. The subsequent optimization of the initially random phase spectrum is solved by a Sequential Quadratic Programming method (SQP). The linear synthetization of critical wave events is expanded to a fully nonlinear simulation by applying the subplex method. For investigating the consequences of specific extreme sea conditions this paper analyses the seakeeping behaviour of a semisubmersible and a FPSO in the Draupner New Year Wave, embedded in extreme irregular seas. In addition, extreme roll motions and the capsizing of a Ro-Ro vessel in a severe storm wave group are evaluated, and the procedures for safe ship design and operation are discussed.

A Numerical Simulation Of Oil Spill InIstanbul Strait

The Turkish strait is one of the most important routes of oil transportation. It connects the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, and it enables the transportation of oil produced in the north of Black Sea to Europe directly. The oil spill problem originating from tanker accidents is one of the major topics concerning the safe ship operation in Turkish straits. There have been large accidents occurring alongside a mega city, Istanbul, which has thirteen million inhabitants. A tanker accident in Istanbul strait can be a great disaster that directly affects life in the city. The present paper describes the numerical simulation of an oil spill in Istanbul strait enabling us to estimate the effect of an oil spill if a tanker accident occurs. Using the Star-CD code, a simulation was performed in the transient mode.

해적행위에 대한 법적 책임과 대응방안

해적행위는 오래 전부터 국제범죄로 인정되어 왔으며, 해적행위를 행하는 자는 인류공동의 적으로 간주되고, 국제관습법상 어떠한 국가의 군함 또는 정부명령을 받은 선박으로도 해적을 공해상에서 나포하여 자국항으로 연행해 처벌할 수 있다. 1982년 유엔해양법협약에서는 해적행위를 "사적인 목적을 위하여 민간 선박의 승무원 또는 승객이 공해상 또는 어떤 국가의 관할권 밖의 지역에서 다른 선박, 승무원 또는 재산에 대하여 자행하는 모든 불법폭력<TEX>$\cdot$</TEX>구금 또는 약탈행위"라고 정의하고 있으며, 더 나아가 해적행위에는 그러한 행위를 의도적으로 조장 또는 선동하는 행위와 그 선박이 해적 선박임을 알면서도 그 선박의 운항에 자발적으로 참여한 행위도 포함된다고 규정하고 있다. 이러한 해적행위에 대처하기 위해 국제기구는 물론 우리나라 정부도 해적행위에 적극적으로 대처해 오고 있으나, 해적행위는 점점 흉포화 되고 있으며, 매년증가추세에 있다 따라서 이 논문은 해상에서의 안전한 선박운항을 확보하기 위해 형사법적, 사법적, 국제적 대응방안을 제시하는 것을 목적으로 하고 있다. Piracy is the enemy of the human race. Pirates commit acts of murder, robbery, plunder or other villainous deeds at sea, cruelly against humanity. The Republic of Korea(ROK), as a big maritime country, is obliged to suppress piracy under international treaties it ratified, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the two 1988 Conventions against maritime terrorism The Korean government is recently taking a positive attitude towards the regional cooperation which is necessary for the suppression of piracy in the waters of Southeast Asia In spite of the effects of international cooperation to prevent piracy, it is recently on an increasing trend every year. Such circumstances may have a bad effect on the sound development of world economy by means of trade at sea as well as treat to the safety of crews and safe operation of ships. This paper aims to suggest the countermeasures against piracy in terms of criminal law, civil law and international law in order to secure safe operation of vessels at sea.

Navigation impacts on freshwater fish assemblages: the ecological relevance of swimming performance

Waterways provide many ecological and socialservices, such as water supply, navigation,freshwater reservoirs for aquatic organisms,recreation, and fisheries. However, in heavilydeveloped waterways, the diversity andproductivity of fish assemblages typicallybecome reduced, mainly due to migrationbarriers, pollution, habitat loss, and biotopesimplification. Additionally, navigation maydirectly or indirectly reduce fish assemblages,amplifying the effects of habitat destruction.This study summarizes navigation impacts toimprove the evaluation of direct navigationeffects on fish assemblages. Literature onhydraulic forces created by moving tows wasreviewed to compare the pressures induced byshipping with the biological capabilities offish, especially with their swimming speeds.Available studies of swimming performance offreshwater fishes were compiled to developgeneral models of length-specific burst, aswell as critical swimming speeds. Modelsregressing total length on burst and criticalswimming speeds were highly significant.Linking applied hydrology and hydraulicengineering with fish ecology and physiology,absolute speed was concluded to be the bestpredictor for thresholds and limitations ofhabitat use by fish. A navigation-inducedhabitat bottleneck hypothesis (NBH) wasinferred from the threshold flow velocity,determining habitat availability for fish.According to the NBH presented here, swimmingperformance of juvenile freshwater fish is themajor bottleneck for fish recruitment inwaterways, as a result of their inability towithstand bank-directed navigation-inducedphysical forces. In essence, under commonnavigation conditions, with respect to inlandwaterway morphology, channel cross section,vessel speeds, and dimensions of commercialvessels, the navigation-induced return currentsalong the shore are usually around 0.8 ms−1 (0.7–1.0 m s−1) accompanied by a0.1–0.3 m drawdown. Under such conditions, theproposed threshold for small fish survival wasestimated to be 147 mm total length at criticalswimming performance (>20 s – 60 min withoutfatigue) and 47 mm at burst performance (<20s). These theoretical findings were supportedby empirical studies of fish recruitment inwaterways. The strong dependence of fishrecruitment on hydraulic forces opens uppossibilities of formulating suitable criteriafor safe ship operation (speed and distance tobank), as well as for effective fairwaymanagement (construction and maintenance) andsustainable fish conservation (species andproduction). A more ecologically orientatedhydraulic engineering will not constraincommercial navigation and their socioeconomicbenefits, but it will substantially enhancefish recruitment in waterways and theirecological sustainability, for the overallbenefit of fish, fisheries, and society.