The inclined keel hull concept and its efficient application using bow form optimisation

Ever increasing fuel prices and environmental concerns have been enforcing commercial vessel operators and designers to re-assess current vessel designs with an emphasis on their propulsion systems and operational practices. In this paper the "Inclined Keel Hull (IKH)" concept, which facilitates to use larger propeller diameter in combination with lower shaft speed rates and hence better transport efficiency, is explored for a modern 3600 TEU container vessel. It appears that successful application of the "inclined keel hull" concept is a fine balance amongst the maximum gain in propulsive efficiency, minimum increase in hull resistance and satisfaction of other naval architectural and operational requirements. In order to make the concept economically more viable, this paper concentrates on the hydrodynamic optimisation of the inclined keel hullform with a specific emphasis on its bulbous bow and forebody using a parametric modification approach. The whole optimisation is computerised and hence fully automatic with no requirement for any user interaction during the optimisation process. Early results of the comparative model test campaign are discussed to validate the optimisation process as well as to assess the relative hydrodynamic performance of the inclined keel concept'.