HULL FORMS FOR IMPROVED TRANSPORT EFFICIENCY

Hull-form studies by the Swedish State Shipbuilding Experimental Tank with regard to propulsive performance, including propeller cavitation and vibration, indicated that for the VLCC's and ULCC's, a forebody with ellipsodial hull form and an afterbody of twin skeg (or twin gondola) shape would give the lowest required shaft horsepower. For the high-powered container/ro-ro ships, where cavitation and vibration problems often occur, and afterbody hull form with free space around the propeller(s) was recommended. The choice of an economic forebody hull form depends strongly on whether a reasonably constant forward draft can be maintained.