A study on the statistical calibration of the Holtrop and Mennen approximate power prediction method for full hull form, low froude number vessels

The article herein presents a statistical calibration study of the approximate power method of Holtrop and Mennen focused on adapting the method to vessels characterized as “full” hull forms and low design and operating speeds and, thus, low Froude numbers. The fitting of the method is done by adjusting the constants, coefficients, and components of the method’s equations by a systematic variation process controlled by genetic algorithms. The database that the method is calibrated against is consisted by model test results from modern (built between 2010 and 2016) bulk carriers and tankers, the KVLCC2, and the method follows a multistage approach, calibrating first the model for the prediction of total resistance and applying the self-propulsion equations afterward. The uncertainty of the new improved method is assessed and modeled with a nonlinear regression equation to enable the use of the calibrated method in the early ship design and optimization process