Ship Construction
The key requirement of a new ship is that it can trade profitably, so economics is of
prime importance in designing a merchant ship. An owner requires a ship that will
give the best possible returns for the owner’s initial investment and running costs. The
final design should be arrived at taking into account not only present economic
considerations, but also those likely to develop within the life of the ship. This is
especially the case for some trades, for example LNG, where the ship is expected to
work the same route for its working life. Design for operation is the result. For other
ships, including bulk carriers, the first cost of the ship is the major factor for the owner
and the ship may be designed for ease of production. Resale value is also often
a major consideration, leading to design for maintenance.
With the aid of computers it is possible to make a study of a large number of
varying design parameters and to arrive at a ship design that is not only technically
feasible but, more importantly, is the most economically efficient. Ideally the design
will take into consideration first cost, operating cost, and future maintenance.
