Optimal weather routeing procedures for vessels on trans-oceanic voyages

Abstract

Three sets of algorithms are formulated for use in a variety of models :- * Ship performance algorithms. * Optimisation algorithms. * Environmental data. Optimisation models are constructed for deterministic minima, with time, fuel and cost objective functions. Models are constructed for an actual ship, (M. V. DART ATLANTIC), and realistic working solutions are obtained based on real-time weather information, simulating an actual on-board, computer based system, using dynamic programming. Several combinations of algorithm types are used in the the models, enabling comparisons of effectiveness. Thus, the ship performance algorithms incorporate severally; simple ship speed loss curves, ship resistance, ship motions and ship motion criteria databases devised from a linear seakeeping model. Limitations of the models are discussed from the routeing examples given. State space restrictions and originally devised methods to aid convergence in the models are discussed. Extension of the forecasted environmental data is achieved by a variety of methods and comparisons sought. In particular ECMWF surface pressure files are interrogated to produce sea wave fields over the extended period, establishing main disturbance centres. The variety of algorithms formulated in this work has facilitated real-time comparisons, this is particularly effective in route-updating. The development of these models and the methods used to extend the forecast period, and the comparisons and associated results stemming from these models are viewed as an original contribution to real-time weather routeing of ships.

Date of Award	1990
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Plymouth