New approach to monitoring hull condition of ships as objective for selecting optimal docking period

ABSTRACTThis paper examines methods of ship’s hull and propeller condition monitoring as aim to select optimum docking period. So far present methods did not consider continuous condition monitoring of hull and propeller as a means of determining docking period. This paper proposes optimisation of docking period based on data collecting and data processing. Proposed approach to data analysis as well as calculation of energy efficiencies losses, caused by hull and propeller fouling, can be used as an acceptable method for shipping companies to make decision on the most optimal docking period. This method is aligned with ISO 19030 standard, particularly with part 3 ‘alternative methods’ which specify data collection on daily basis without the use of complex computing equipment. The method, proposed in this paper, is particularly acceptable to companies that do not have the opportunity to invest in sophisticated data collection and processing equipment.