The thematic network SAFER EURORO : an integrated approach to safe European roro ferry design

For a period of more than 10 years, a safety culture approach has been promoted through the theme'Design for Safety,' which aims at integrating safety cost effectively in the ship design process. There isa considerable wealth of information amassed over these years of research and development on safetycriticalareas. One of the main elements of the research and development (R&D) work is the assurance ofsafety within the ship design process, in the continuous search for improving the current state of affairs.Through bold steps in the direction advocated by 'Design for Safety,' it is slowly but steadily beingrecognized that this approach can greatly contribute to the overall cost-effective improvement of safety inshipping while nurturing the evolution of proper practice in the field. On this background, the paper attempts a thorough overview of related R&D developments over the lastdecade. Particular emphasis is placed on the developments that have taken place as part of the activitiesof the Thematic Network SAFER EURORO and associated research projects, which have led to thedevelopment of a recent major research initiative, the Integrated Project SAFEDOR, which is expected tolead research development in the area for the years to come

Risk evaluation for RoPax vessels

The paper presents the results of a recent risk evalua-tion study for RoPax vessels, carried out as part of the activities of the SAFEDOR Integrated Project. The objective of the study was to investigate hazards and their causes during RoPax operation and to quantify, to the extent possible, their frequencies and conse-quences. A previous study on the safety assessment of RoPax vessels sailing in North-West European waters, covering the period until 1994, was used as the basis in putting together a high-level risk model for the current study. All scenarios are presented in the form of event trees, quantification of which is done on the basis of world-wide accident experience (from 1994 to 2004), relevant past studies and judgment. The study esti-mates the risk of loss of life among passengers and crew (by calculating for each scenario the Individual Risk, the Potential Loss of Life – PLL and plotting the corresponding F-N curves), and compares them with current risk acceptance criteria

Risk analysis for RoPax vessels

The paper presents the results of a recent risk analysis study for RoPax vessels, carried out as part of the activities of the SAFEDOR Integrated Project. The objective of this study was to investigate the causes of hazards during RoPax operation and quantify, to the extent possible, their frequencies and consequences. Potential scenarios initially identified and prioritised during a Hazard Identification (HAZID) session were used in the pro cess. The work has been performed in accordance with the IMO FSA Guidelines (IMO 2002). A previous comprehensive study on the safety assessment of RoPax vessels sailing in North West European waters, covering the period until 1994, was used as the basis in putting together a high-level risk model for the current study. All scenarios are presented in the form of event trees, quantification of which is done on the basis of world-wide accident experience (from 1994 to 2004), relevant past studies and judgment. The study estimates the risk of loss of life among passengers and crew (by calculating for each scenario the In di -vidual Risk, the Potential Loss of Life – PLL and plotting the corresponding F-N curves), and compares them with current risk acceptance criteria. The resulting high-level risk model is used to provide recommendations for improvement in the form of proposed risk control options (RCOs)

Sensitivity analysis of the probabilistic damage stability regulations for RoPax vessels

In the light of the newly developed harmonised probabilistic damage stability regulations, set to come into force in 2009, this article presents a systematic and thorough analysis of the sensitivity of the Attained Subdivision Index with reference to a wide range of related design parameters. The sensitivity of the probabilistic regulations was investigated for a typical large RoPax vessel, with variation of parameters, such as the number, positioning and local optimisation of transverse bulkheads; the presence and position of longitudinal bulkheads below the main vehicle deck; the presence of side casings; and the height of the main deck and double bottom. The effects of water on deck and of operational parameters (draught, centre of gravity and trim) were also investigated. The results of the study, presented in graphical form, can provide valuable assistance to the designer when determining subdivision characteristics at the very early stage of the design process, resulting in optimal, efficient and safe ships

On the estimation of ship's fuel consumption and speed curve: A statistical approach

When fuel efficiency is at stake, along with the reduction of the environmental foot print of air pollution, a need is presented to estimate a ship's fuel consumption for a forthcoming voyage, and means for decision making and for cost saving. This paper suggests an operational approach for obtaining an accurate fuel consumption and speed curve, on the basis of major factors affecting it, namely, ship’s draft and displacement, weather force and direction, hull and propeller roughness. A statistical analysis on 418 noon reports of a Pure Car and Truck Carrier case ship is carried out and the influence of the above factors is calculated. As expected, stronger wind and head weather increases the fuel consumption, and the difference between several weather conditions could be quantified. A simple and accurate algorithm is proposed in order for ship owners, managers and operators to be in a position to apply the suggested method on their fleet. Finally, applications of the structured algorithm are introduced with examples, in estimating the fuel consumption of the case ship for a future voyage, and also the same for a sister ship. Furthermore, voyage planning in several scenarios is proposed in order to assist the stakeholders with decision making aimed to fuel saving and environmental friendliness of their ships

Development of bayesian models for marine accident investigation and their use in risk-based ship design

Historical marine accident/incident data remain severely underused in regulatory development as well as during design and operation. It is widely recognized that this is mainly the result of underreporting in commercially available databases and in databases maintained by national authorities. A factor further signifying this underuse is the evident improper reporting because most data are maintained as textual information requiring significant amounts of time and effort to distill and use the essential characteristics of accidents. Compounded with improved accessibility to an ever increasing amount of historical records, there is a need to develop the means that all the available information from marine accident/incidents is fully used in decision-making during development of new regulations, design, and operation. This article elaborates on the underlying causes for the current unsatisfactory state of affairs and details the description of the structures adopted for the development of appropriate marine accident databases using Bayesian Belief Networks as the platform for translating the information contained in the databases to probabilistic risk-based knowledge-intensive models. The article further explains the use of these models within a risk-based ship design framework, concluding with an example case study of application for fire safety onboard passenger ships

Stability of floating offshore structures

Stability of floating offshore structures at intact and damaged conditions is currently being addressed by adherence to prescriptive regulations, on the basis of qualities of the righting moment curves. However, as experience shows, a prescriptive set of regulations is not adequate, especially when dealing with larger structures or complicated configurations. Following relevant developments in the shipping industry and the recent Macondo Prospect (Deepwater Horizon) incident, it is considered appropriate to propose a probabilistic framework for the stability of offshore structures. This framework will take into consideration different damage cases, loading conditions and damage extents, and will account for their probability of occurrence and potential consequences. The framework would be developed on the basis of parametric use of first-principles tools and integrated analysis of dynamic behaviour of the said floating structure in a wind-wave environment and would make use of accident data. The considerations above are directly related to risk-based design. Existing regulatory requirements are discussed, and key areas for future development are proposed

Stability and safety analysis of the air-lifted catamaran

The air-lifted catamaran (ALC) is an innovative fast marine transportation concept, comprising the application and variation of a new, skirtless air cushion and air-lubrication, thus rendering it a hybrid between catamaran and surface effect ship (SES). Its features and capabilities are beyond current conventional high-speed monohull and catamaran. The present paper presents pertinent studies on stability concerning this craft, including dynamic stability, stability in turning and directional stability. The stability analysis takes into account air compressibility in the cushion, and is carried out in time domain. Some simulated results are presented and discussed, and requirements for design and operation of the craft based on IMO HSC Code 2000 are briefly outlined

Optimum speed analysis for large containerships

During these times of fluctuating freight rates and oversupply, selection of optimum speed will give an operator a crucial advantage. Until the recession, the emphasis has always been on larger capacity and higher speed. Now, design innovation and slow steaming are becoming important and this article details new software, which is set up to assist the speed optimization process for large container ships. The software uses both propulsion and revenue-cost analysis with an ultralarge container ship model of 20,000 20-ft.unit (TEU) as a case study to derive the most profitable speed. Shippers' costs are also estimated to assess the impact on shippers. This software can be used for new construction or existing ships. The results show that 19.5 knots is the optimum speed, which is a departure from the current trend of 25 knots but supporting the concept of slow steaming. The results are validated by Det Norske Veritas container cost models. Besides that, the multivariable nature of the optimum speed problem is discussed and further analysis has been carried out to determine the range of fuel cost, freight rate, and load factor in which this optimum speed is applicable (in this case, $1100/TEU < freight rate <$1300/TEU, $650/MT < fuel cost <$750/MT and load factor = 40%). This will be useful to ship operators for forecasting purposes

A review of offshore decommissioning regulations in five countries – strengths and weaknesses

The decommissioning of offshore structures around the world will be a persisting problem in the coming decades as many structures will exceed their shelf life, or when reservoirs are no longer productive. This paper examines an overview of the global offshore decommissioning legal regime, and a summary of regulations in countries that are deemed to be more experienced in decommissioning such as the UK, Norway and USA. Two oil-producing countries in South East Asia, Malaysia and Thailand are also reviewed to identify potential gaps in decommissioning legislation for countries in its infancy in decommissioning. The differences were identified in terms of decommissioning preparation, decommissioning technical execution, additional environmental requirements and financial security framework. In conclusion, the majority of the regulations covering the technical section are similar within all countries studied. Major differences lie in two overarching philosophies of the framework - a prescriptive regime versus a goal-setting regime. Other decommissioning aspects appear to attract increasing attention, such as in expanding clarity on in situ decommissioning, residual liabilities, optimising finance related issues of decommissioning and offshore to onshore waste movement. These gaps in the existing framework can be filled by taking an evidence-based stand in developing the framework.EDB (Economic Devt. Board, S’pore)Accepted versio