Greater Safety
Our ships are safer
We have set ourselves the task of building ships which have higher safety margins than those required under International Maritime Organisation (IMO) stability regulations.
With this in mind, we have introduced our own evaluation index based on probable occurrences over long periods of time. It is called the Insufficient Stability Event Index or SEI, and permits the quantitative evaluation of ships in dangerous sea-state situations, for example parametric rolling. Dependent on route and on deadline pressures, there is a risk of wave- breaking. Owners to whom reliability and deadline punctuality are important issues, will not always be able to get around the wave-breaking phenomenon.
The frequency and consequences of wave-breaking can be analysed and evaluated in a combination of wave-breaking statistical and finite element calculations. Using this procedure, a cost-utilisation comparison can demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of different improvement possibilities.
Best possible comfort for crew and passengers
The behaviour of ships at sea influences not only the safety of ship and cargo, in respect of loss or damage, but also that of the people on board. By means of simulations over long periods of time in typical sea conditions on the route being studied, values can be obtained for roll and acceleration at specific points on board. The analysis of sea conditions is based on very detailed knowledge of weather movements over many years, for example the 43 years covered by the GKSS Hindcast data for the southern part of the North Sea.
For the safety of the crew, high accelerations on the bridge and in other working areas are to be avoided. They can be caused particularly by a combination of high stability, strong seas and a high position. Corresponding modifications to the shape of the ship’s hull and other steps to improve sea-holding, such as roll damping systems, can meet customer requirements for greater comfort. Discomfort or sea sickness caused by ship movements can also be evaluated qualitatively and, where appropriate, measures can be taken to increase comfort levels.
Ensuring your cargo arrives safely
Providing ships with optimal sea-going behaviour serves not only to achieve high safety on board as far as damage and the loss of ship, cargo and people are concerned, but also reduces weather-related down-time. Simulations over long periods of time in typical sea conditions on the route being studied can produce data about roll and acceleration at specific points on board.
These can then answer the question how many times should cargo be secured to prevent shifting. By making corresponding modifications to the ship’s hull and taking other measures to improve sea-holding, such as roll damping systems, the service performance of the ship can be optimised to suit customer requirements.
In the past, FSG has developed weather-dependent lashing specifications in co-operation with national authorities. Our customers can as a result and without loss of safety, use a suitable lashing specification, so saving time in port.
Always popular with charterers
Just as we are a reliable partner for you as ship-owners, so you in turn have to deliver safety as well as commercial, deadline and operational quality to those who charter your vessels.
With the ships we build, you lay the foundation for sustainable success. Lowest possible fuel consumption, outstanding sea-going characteristics, maximum cargo volumes, optimal ship operation in respect of crew size and low maintenance costs – all make it possible for you to offer competitive charter rates.
The environment always in mind
The possibility of environmental pollution is a high risk in ship operation. A good ship design will therefore not only aim to ensure the safety of people and cargo, but will also concentrate on protecting the marine environment.
The most significant risk of course is losing fuel. The likelihood of an oil spill after a collision or running aground has to be reduced as far as is possible. The IMO technical committee responsible for marine pollution issues worked out a new policy guideline on this. The new ruling 12A in MARPOL Annex 1 changes regulations concerning the arrangement of fuel tanks. This arrangement no longer has to be according to deterministic rules but can now alternatively be based on the likelihood of oil spills within different accident scenarios. This opens up the possibility for improved optimisation of ship design and is, consequently, being used by FSG.
Furthermore, different measures with regard to protection prior to oil spills in ship operation can be taken, such as the use of suitable stern tube sealants. One outstanding example of this are the double-end ferries built for our customer BC Ferries, where even the water carried onto the closed decks by vehicles is collected and cleaned to avoid oil contamination.
In other sectors also, FSG, along with its customers, is continuously developing solutions which will contribute to protecting the environment. They include, for example, the design and introduction of modern waste management or ballast water handling concepts. Solutions are being developed jointly which will as far as possible minimise the risk of unwanted damage to the marine environment.
