Feasibility study and design of shallow draught ore carriers for inland waterways

Abstract

The surge in iron ore exports from the Indian state of Goa has increased the demand for larger size inland iron ore carries. Operating economic of these inland vessels have resulted in a steady increase in their carrying capacity. However, attempt to increase the deadweight of these vessels has encountered challenges in form of loading and unloading point restrictions, increased squat, sway force and yaw moment at shallow waters. The present work based on a request from ministry of shipping, Government of India, examines the present ore transportation system, the bathymetry of the mandovi and zuari rivers and the operating economics of the barges ranging from 750 to 3000 tonnes deadweight capacity. A new improved design for 3000 tonnes dead weight barge is presented. Alternate stern shapes are examined using CFD software SHIPFLOW. The hull form is modal tested. The propeller geometry is optimized for the given engine and a suitable gear box. The proposed design is then investigated for its manoeuvring ability in shallow waters. The hydrodynamic sway forces yaw moments and nominal wake distribution for port and starboard propellers during manoeuvring motion are estimated by CFD software SHIPFLOW. The barge’s directional stability performance is investigated for twin-propeller twin –rudder configuration.