Numerical investigation to increase ship efficiency in regular head waves using an alternative engine control strategy

According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) strategy whose aim is to reduce the shipping industry’s total carbon emissions by 50% by the year 2050, it is desirable to increase ships energy efficiency to reduce GHG emissions and fuel costs. To do so, a short-term measure is to develop innovative engine control strategies in waves that will reduce ship’s GHG emissions. In this study, a mathematical model is developed to assess two engine control strategies: the standard constant rotational speed mode and an innovative constant fuel rack approach. The coupled model is made of a mean value engine, propeller curves and a ship behavior simulator. Emphasis is placed on the presentation of the engine model and references are given for further details on the ship simulator. After verifying the coupling between the engine model and the ship simulator, the fuel consumption is compared, for the two strategies, at the same average speed and for three head regular waves. This paper presents the basics of a further long time research project and shows that coupling ship simulators with engine simulators leads to promising simulation tools for a ship’s GHG emissions reduction. Results from a first application case show that the constant fuel rack approach reduces fuel consumption (up to 1.6%).