IMPACT OF FUEL COST AND ANTICIPATED DEVELOPMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY ON SHIPS OF THE 1990'S AND THEIR OPERATION

The Author, who is Technical Director of British Shipbuilders, discusses possible technical developments and fuel cost over the next decade. At the pace historically found in marine progress, it could take to 1986/87 to develop a new item of ship machinery, such as a fluidised-bed boiler, to the stage where it can be widely accepted. Although the container ship and ro-ro vessel developed more rapidly, these changes stemmed from the need to handle cargo more efficiently, which is easier to achieve. Developments to be expected over the next 10-15 years will be associated with fuel cost and the search for new propulsion systems. There will be increased automation controlling machinery and reducing manpower with electronic systems. With even fewer men on board, when emergencies occur they will be very real. The dangers inherent in over-reducing a ship's crew are discussed, as well as factors such as better hull forms, increased propulsive efficiency, and alternative power sources and fuels, e.g. coal and coal/oil mixtures.

• Corporate Authors:

  Whitehall Technical Press Limited

  29 Palace Street, Westminster
  London SW1,   England 
• Authors:
  • Meek, M
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 301
• Serial:
  • Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering International
  • Issue Number: 103
  • Publisher: Whitehall Technical Press Limited

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternate fuels; Coal fuels; Costs; Crew size; Engine efficiency; Fuels; Labor market; Propulsion; Ships; Technological forecasting; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fuel costs; Ship design
• Old TRIS Terms: Crew reduction; Propulsive efficiency
• Subject Areas: Design; Energy; Finance; Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00324748
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Ship Research Association
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 12 1981 12:00AM