Optimization of Ship’s Navigational Parameters to Improve the Stowage and Securing Criteria of Non-Standardized Cargo in Ships

Abstract

General cargo ships are the most numerous in the merchant fleet. In these vessels, the stowage and securing of non-standardized cargo must be designed prior to being shipped. Furthermore, during sea navigation, the shipmaster must be confident that the secured cargo is safe in any weather conditions. One of the goals of the present research is to provide helpful guides to ship operators about the optimal navigational parameters. Despite different criteria being followed by the shipping industry to calculate the rolling motion accelerations, relevant accidents and losses related to an inadequate securing arrangement still occur. Firstly, this paper analyzes and compares the IMO’s and classification societies’ criteria, obtaining relevant results about the different safety levels along the ship’s dimensions. Secondly, it obtains a novel mathematical model of angular transverse acceleration, considering the sea state conditions and navigational parameters. For this reason, it investigates the combinations of optimization of these parameters. Finally, it proposes novel 3D surface graphs as being easy, useful, and quick to be interpreted by shipmasters when sailing in certain sea state conditions, to know if the limits of the maximum securing arrangement are exceeded and predict the ship’s optimal speed and heading in order to set out.

Proposal of a New Control System Making Use of AI Tools to Predict a Ship’s Behaviour When Approaching the Synchronism Phenomenon

“…Other dangers associated with this problem are water washing over the deck, which is especially dangerous for small fishing vessels with low weather decks [3], or cargo shifting on merchant ships, which can result in loss of stability and, finally, capsizing. Furthermore, excessive rolling can cause cargo lashings to give way, resulting in cargo damage and, in some cases, structural damage to the ship [12]. Therefore, in spite of not being studied as much as other phenomena such as parametric resonance, synchronous rolling is a typical experience for almost all sailors.…”

Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Supporting Forces and Lashing Forces in a Ship Cargo Securing Scheme

“…In practical operational procedures, cargo securing is often executed based on the crew's own experiences, lacking clear corresponding securing standard verification requirements. This results in inefficient securing practices, leading to occurrences of either excessive or insufficient restraints [3,4]. With the development of maritime transportation, the demand for enhanced safety in cargo securing methods has become increasingly urgent, prompting scholarly focus on the safety assessment of securing cargo on ship decks.…”