Evaluation of the viability of optimised hull forms for bulk carriers
Date of Award
11-1-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Master of Science in Maritime Affairs
Specialization
Maritime Energy Management
Campus
Malmö, Sweden
Country
Uganda
First Advisor
Aykut Ölcer
Abstract
In line with the Paris Agreement (2015), and IMO GHG Strategy 2023, the global maritime industry faces immense pressure and urgency to reduce CO2 emissions. The decarbonisation of the global bulk carrier fleet presents a critical opportunity to reduce CO2 emissions through energy efficiency improvement, considering that they account for 25% of the global shipping emissions. This study investigates the viability of optimised hull forms as a decarbonisation pathway for bulk carriers, by focusing on the Japan Bulk Carrier (JBC). The research developed a workflow for hull form optimisation using open-source tools, including FreeCAD for parametric modelling, OpenFOAM for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and Dakota Toolkit for Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) optimisation. The optimisation objectives were to maximise the reduction in resistance, and to minimise the loss in displacement, by altering parameters bulb depth (Zb), and speed (Um). The White Box Model was used to estimate fuel consumption, from which the economic and environmental impact was quantified. The optimised hull form demonstrated a maximum of 4.2% reduction in resistance, which translated into an average annual fuel cost consumption saving of 2.264%, translating into $372,907.09. Furthermore, a 3.094% average annual reduction in CO2 emissions was estimated. And, optimised hull forms for the global bulk carrier fleet projected a 0.439% or 163 million tonnes reduction in total CO2 emissions by 2050, with an estimated total fuel cost savings of $4.8 billion by 2050. This research explored the applicability of open-source platforms to enhance the accessibility to hull form optimisation, especially in Least Developing Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). This study advocates for the broader integration of improved ship energy efficiency into national maritime policies, to accelerate global decarbonisation efforts.