Full-scale simulation-based hull form design for large medium-speed catamarans with high fuel efficiency

Large medium-speed catamarans are being developed to provide fuel-efficient fast sea transportation at Froude numbers between 0.25 and 0.50 correlating to speeds between 16 and 41 knots. A hull form family comprising lengths of 110 m to 190 m was derived with demihull slenderness ratios ranging from 9 to 15. The drag force for the full-scale vessels was determined by a novel approach using computational fluid dynamics. A demihull slenderness for lowest drag occurred between 11 and 13, however minimum drag can only be achieved if the transom immersion is small. Furthermore it was found that hull lengths of 150 m and above provide highest fuel efficiency for vessel speeds between 24 and 33 knots.