One tool in an operator's hunt for fuel reduction is trim optimisation. Simply put, this is the setting of a ship on a waterline - different from its design waterline - that will offer a reduction in power demand and fuel consumption. It is an interesting proposition, but one that must be undertaken by both operators and designers with an appreciation for the constraints of a trimmed operation, as well as the uncertainties in the prediction of power under trimmed conditions. The first question that I would ask is "what compromises are being made if I run trimmed?" Ship operation is more than just the economics of fuel consumption. Other considerations that may prohibit trimmed operation include: 1. Reduction in visibility 2. Emergence of the propeller 3. Seakeeping, motions, or shipped water on deck 4. Underkeel clearance 5. Hull loading and strength Once it has been satisfied that these restrictions can be met, only then will it make sense to look into benefits of trimmed operation and find an optimum trim Let me first propose that there is no such thing as optimum' in naval architecture. Everything is a compromise, but we definitely can find what is 'better'.
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