An Optimization Model for Ship Speed Based on Maneuvering Control

The increasing frequency of serious environmental issues and high fuel costs have necessitated better energy efficiency in the shipping industry. According to a report by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), ship speed optimization has huge potential. This paper introduces an optimization model of ship speed based on maneuvering control. The trajectory tracking theory and sliding mode control method are applied to simulate the control load of a ship. The propeller mode and rudder mode are used to calculate the corresponding rotating speed of the propeller, the rudder angle and the energy consumption. The accuracy and robustness of the maneuvering control model are validated in a still water scenario and a level 5 sea state scenario. On this basis, a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is applied to determine the best speed combination. The result shows that sailing at a constant speed is the most energy-saving strategy in still water. Moreover, due to the effects of wind, waves and currents, ships should sail faster when the sea is calm and slower when the sea is rough. These results are consistent with the actual experiences of a captain.