Model experiments to support the design of large icebreaking tankers

In 1997, Samsung Heavy Industries became interested in applying its expertise in the design and construction of oil tankers to the specialized construction of ice class vessels for oil transportation in the Arctic Ocean and Baltic Sea. This interest was motivated by the potential development of several offshore and near shore oil and gas reserves together with increased shipping of oil through the Baltic Sea from Russia. Since at that time, Samsung Heavy Industries had little experience with performance prediction for ships in ice, they entered into a collaborative project with the Institute for Ocean Technology to apply and refine the modelling techniques required for predicting the performance of large tankers in ice. This paper describes the modelling methods used. One important technique is the preparation of the model ice, and the scaling of the ice forces. Equally important is the preparation of the ship model and its propulsion system. The two models are combined to predict the powering and manoeuvring performance for large tankers in a range of ice conditions including level first year ice, pack ice and rubble ice. The results of experiments on four hull designs, with single and twin-screw propulsion arrangements, are presented and discussed and some suggestions are made for refining the modelling techniques for future projects.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye