Modeling the Maneuvering Behavior of Container Carriers in Shallow Water

Abstract

Due to the expansion of the dimensions of container vessels, the available maneuvering space in harbor areas and their access channels is decreasing as waterway authorities are often unable to increase the channel dimensions at the same pace. The under keel clearance is an especially important parameter for ship maneuver-ability and controllability. After an overview of the shallow water effects on ship maneuvering, a new mathematical maneuvering model based on captive model tests is introduced. The mathematical model is valid in a large under keel clearance range and is applicable in four quadrants of forward speed: propeller rate combinations, drift angles, and yaw angles. The mathematical model has been validated by means of an independent set of captive model tests.