LAUSR

Abstract Decisions of the design speed, MCR, and engine capacity have been empirically made by assuming the value termed the sea margin. Due to ambiguity regarding the effect of some factors on the sea margin, the value has been commonly decided based on experience. To evaluate the value from a new viewpoint, it is necessary to construct an approach to estimate the sea margin through an objective procedure based on a physical and mathematical model. In this paper, a framework to estimate the actual sea margin of an LNGC based on the maneuvering equations of motion is suggested by considering the hull, propeller, rudder, and given sea route under wind and waves. The fouling effect is additionally quantified as the increase of total resistance by considering the re-docking period. The operation data is reviewed to amend the increase of the total resistance considering the speed loss of a ship. Finally, the factor of how much the resistance increases due to fouling is newly obtained for the vessel. Based on the comparison of the estimated sea margin with the empirical range of the sea margin, the constructed framework is regarded as feasible.