Improving Path-following Performance of Autonomous Ships in Adverse Weather Conditions: A CFD Study

Wednesday - January 10 2024, 21:59 UTC - 10 months ago

A multinational team of researchers has used a CFD model to study the path-following performance of autonomous ships in adverse weather conditions. Their findings suggest that increasing propulsion power can improve performance in some cases, and the proposed CFD-based model allows for more accurate assessments of minimum propulsion power requirements.

"With the increasing focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime industry, the use of autonomous ships has gained significant traction. A key requirement for these ships is the ability to follow a pre-determined sea path, even in adverse weather conditions. However, accurately assessing their path-following performance has been a challenge," explains Assistant Professor Daejeong Kim from the National Korea Maritime & Ocean University .