Quantum - A container ship concept for the future. Also inside: Industry questionaire, LNG in focus and Increased container capacity.
Date: 07 April 2010
Next Generation Container Ships
We are proud to introduce Quantum. An innovative container ship concept developed by DNV with a view to the future of container shipping. In this magazine you can read about the project and the design rationale behind the concept study.
Quantum – a container ship concept for the future
Quantum has been designed to transport more cargo while using less fuel and with reduced environmental impact. The focus has been on flexibility in a future of uncertainty, while also ensuring efficient and reliable operations.
The Quantum project – thinking outside the box
What is the future of container shipping? Can we develop an innovative container ship concept within a short period of time and design a ship with improved operational and environmental performance? The answer to these questions was the Quantum concept.
Market potential for a new container ship design
A ‘baby post-Panmax’ may be one of the first ships ordered when the newbuilding market recovers. The 5,000–7,500 TEU range may be the new workhorse of the industry according to a market analysis by Alphaliner prepared for DNV. The Quantum concept design is intended for the Europe to East Coast South America trade.
An innovator or only an inventor?
When companies try to innovate, many of them end up inventing instead. What’s the difference between innovation and invention, and what does it mean for my company? This is one of several questions we face as innovators. ‘What shall I do to succeed with innovation in my project’ or simply ‘How do I start’, are other commonly asked questions. I’ll give you some answers a little bit further down the page.
Industry questionnaire: Exploring industry needs - ‘Environmental footprint’ in fifth place
The environmental footprint (5) ranking was only preceded by the predictable winners like fuel efficiency (1), schedule integrity (2), regulation compliance (3) and operating costs (4). That is the verdict of a ‘jury’ of 54 industry respondents worldwide when asked by DNV in a recent questionnaire survey “How would you rank the following items when considering building a new container ship?”
Seeing the ship in a transport system context
When considering investments in new container ships, it is vital to understand how the design will perform in the trade it shall operate. By better understanding the different operational demands that a trade might entail, a company is more likely to acquire ships that will operate efficiently and yield greater profit. DNV has developed methods and tools to evaluate different designs against various market and operating conditions. For the selected loop between East Coast South America (ECSA) and Europe three different ship designs optimised for different service speed has been evaluated.
The conceptual hull design
The Quantum concept design consists of a ‘baby post-Panmax’ of 6,200 TEU with a slender monohull, low block coefficient and 10% increased container capacity. Alternative hull forms were studied and discarded. The design speed was set at 21 knots based on studies of the logistics and technical aspects, but the ship can sail at higher or lower speeds. The ship may be suitable for the Europe to East Coast South America service.
General arrangement and LNG tank arrangement
Developing the General Arrangement drawings is a task that requires close interaction with most of the other disciplines in a concept study. It is also important to have good knowledge about existing and future rules and regulations which may effect the general arrangement. For Quantum, the LNG tank arrangement was a particular challenge.
Added resistance in seaways – optimising the hull for seagoing conditions
Due to a lack of adequate computational tools, ship hulls have traditionally been designed for optimal performance in calm waters. In seaways, ships will be exposed to additional forces resulting in motions and added resistance. The seakeeping computer program DNV-Wasim has been extended to calculate the added resistance when taking such effects into account. By using this tool in the design phase, the hull can be optimised for more realistic conditions.
Hull strength – more boxes into the box ship?
The double bottom and double side are normally designed as ballast tanks. Very often, there is more ballast capacity than is necessary. Can some of these spaces be used to stow containers? In the Quantum project, two alternatives were investigated from a strength and scantlings point of view. The final design has a narrow double side, designed as a void space.
Machinery and ship systems – a flexible solution for an uncertain future
Recent change in the global economy and increased worldwide environmental concerns have opened up for new machinery concepts as realistic alternatives to traditional designs. For Quantum, an arrangement with electric propulsion powered by four dual-fuel generator sets was chosen. The main advantage with electric propulsion is the flexibility to operate more efficient across a wide range of speeds. By switching to LNG when approaching the coastline, ECA requirements are fulfilled and cold ironing is not needed. Two azimuth pods ensure excellent manoeuvrability and increased harbour efficiency.
Introducing LNG into the fuel mix
For many decades, Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) has been the predominant alternative for marine fuel. Today, the situation is more open and several options have to be considered. The revised Annex VI of MARPOL 73/78 adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 2008 introduces stricter requirements for NOx, SOx and PM emissions and local emission-controlled areas (ECAs) define even stricter emission requirements. Several oil fields are now depleted and a lot of the remaining oil is in areas where there are political conflicts, so the future crude cost is uncertain. LNG could be part of the solution for the future.
Cost-benefit assessment of Quantum
The economic performance of the Quantum design’s main features has been evaluated according to different future scenarios. The improved hull shape has a short payback time of about 2 years, while the investment in switching to LNG requires 10 to 13 years to recuperate. In the long run, LNG is shown to be the best alternative and will in the future become even more viable as stricter requirements regarding NOx and SOx emissions come into force.
DNV Triple-E™: Environmental Rating Scheme
Quantum is designed to meet the highest rating – Level 1 – according to DNV’s Environmental & Energy Efficiency Rating Scheme for ships – DNV Triple-E™. This means that the ship design enables world leading environmental performance by minimising the resistance to the sea and thereby facilitating energy-efficient ship operations, as well as applying state-of-the-art technology for controlling all emissions to air and discharges to sea.
Boxes in boxes – improved cargo handling efficiency and reduced lashing
A lightweight, open-top frame structure, capable of carrying up to eight containers, can be loaded on the quay and lifted on board in one go. This will save valuable time in port, something which is of utmost importance to shipping companies as well as shippers and terminals. Additionally, this ‘boxes in boxes’ concept can reduce the need for container lashing and increase cargo safety.
Optimum ship operation or business as usual?
The operational phase makes up the main part of the ship’s life from design to scrapping. The lifetime fuel bill is several times the newbuilding cost. Cost-effective operation can be achieved through decision support systems to reduce fuel costs and the risk of unscheduled off-hire and repairs. In the future, better contracts between owners and charterers will be used to allow a win-win situation regarding the fuel bill. This article demonstrates how Quantum can achieve savings of up to several per cent by using weather routing and hull monitoring.
Feedback from DNV German technical committee
A concept study like Quantum will have new and novel solutions. The presentation of this study for DNV’s German technical committee resulted in a good discussion, and we asked a few committee members to kindly summarise some reactions to the study.
Resistance evaluation and hull parametric study
The design speed for the Quantum has been set at 21 knots, quite a lot lower than the common speed for modern container ships. The hull needed to be redesigned and CFD software has been used to support the study using various hull parameters. The resulting ship has a block coefficient which is lower than conventional designs but is wider.
Lightweight structures
Steel is a strong and durable material. However, lightweight structures offer a range of opportunities to build a green, efficient, profitable and reliable container ship at a competitive price. For Quantum, weight savings of 1,100 tonnes have been achieved by using composite structures.
Minimum ballast design – intact stability and damage stability
The handling of ballast water creates a lot of extra operational challenges which are expected to increase in the future due to the introduction of a requirement of a Ballast Water Treatment System. In addition, by removing the ballast water, more cargo could be carried with the same displacement. As a result, while designing Quantum, how to achieve a ballast-free green ship and at the same time fully comply with all the stability rules has been a major concern.
Innovation on display
Six of the extraordinary innovation projects have been concluded and presented in front of a commentary board including DNV CEO Henrik O. Madsen. Container ship of the future was one of the projects.