Multi-objective optimization of container ship design

High fuel prices and environmental concerns have influenced the design and operational characteristics of all types of ships, but particularly of container ships in recent years with considerable engineering as well as commercial effects. Such ECO-ship designs demonstrate lower operational costs and are more competitive compared to traditional tonnage. This paper presents a holistic, multi-objective optimization procedure for the design of containerships, encompassing the development of parametric models for the optimization of medium size (between 3,500 and 4,000 TEU) containerships serving on a given schedule the Intra-Asian trade. Fully parametric geometric modeling techniques are employed in the frame of the CAD/CAE environment of FRIENDSHIP-Framework, combined with sophisticated assessment tools for the evaluation of critical ship design attributes, such as ship's weight, stability, resistance and powering for, common operational conditions. The developed multi-criteria optimization approach enables the effective exploration of an extended design space (with the utilization of genetic algorithms-NSGA II) targeting to a reduced Required Freight Rates (RFR), favorable Energy Efficiency Design Indices (EEDI) and minimum ballast water carriage for common operational conditions, while also disposing enhanced port efficiency.