Statistical Analysis and Determination of

Regression Formulas for

Main Dimensions of Container Ships
based on IHS Fairplay Data

Technical University of Denmark

Hans Otto Kristensen

Project no. 2010-56, Emissionsbeslutningsstttesystem

Work Package 2, Report no. 03
February 2013

Determination of Regression Formulas for Main Dimensions

of Container Ships based on IHS Fairplay Data
This report shows the results of the analysis of IHS Fairplay main data for container ships. All
possible outliers have been left out (obvious errors in data) as described in following document:
Data Analyses Standard Vessel Determination. Tankers, Bulk Carries and Container Vessels.
Project no. 2010-56. Work Package 2, Report no. 01. University of Southern Denmark. Author:
Marie Ltzen
Container ships have been categorized in following 3 groups:
1. Feeder ships (TEU < 2900)
2. Panamax ships (1900 < TEU < 5300)
3. Post Panamax ships (TEU > 4000)
The equations found by regression analysis are shown for each individual ship sub type. The
equations are basis for the generic ship design model for determination of main dimension and
propulsion characteristics for all types of container ships in the following called DTU and SDU
model.
As can be seen there is some overlap between the three sub categories. The Panamax ships have
a breadth limitation of 32.2 m, an operational draught limitation of 12.0 m and a max overall length
of 294.10, which define the upper limits of this group. The same is valid for Post Panamax ships
with respect to a lower limit, as all ships with a breadth more than 32.2 m are categorized as Post
Panamax ships.
In the coming years the Post Panamax group will be subdivided in two parts by the coming
Panama Canal limitations which will be valid from 2014, when the new Panama Canal is expected
to be opened. The new limitations on Panamax ships in the future will be as follows (Marine
Technology 2011): Length overall: 366.00 m, breadth: 49.00 m, draught: 15.24 m
List of Appendices
Appendix A - Small container ships

page 4

Appendix B Panamax container ships

page 6

Appendix C Post Panamax container ships

page 8

Appendix D Water plane area coefficient and draught change

page 10

390
350

54

310
Breadth (m)

Length pp (m)

46

270
230

All container ships

Yellow dots indicate DTU and SDU
default model values

190
150

38

30

All container ships

Yellow dots indicate DTU and SDU
default model values

22

110
14

70
0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

2000

4000

Container capacity (TEU)

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. 1 Length between pp as function of TEU

Fig. 2 Breadth as function of TEU

16

33
29

13

Draught (m)

Depth (m)

25
21
17

All container ships

Yellow dots indicate DTU and SDU
default model values

13

10

All container ships

Yellow dots indicate DTU and SDU
default model values

9
4

5
0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

Container capacity (TEU)

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. 3 Depth as function of TEU

Fig. 4 Maximum draught as function of TEU

50000

140000

All container ships

Yellow dots indicate DTU and SDU
default model values

40000

120000

Deadweight (t)

Lightweight (t)

100000
30000

20000

80000
60000
40000

All container ships

Yellow dots indicate DTU and SDU
default model values

10000

20000
0

0
0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

Container capacity (TEU)

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. 5 Lightweight as function of TEU

Fig. 6 Deadweight as function of TEU

12000

18

0.30

All container ships

Yellow dots indicate DTU and SDU
default model values

All container ships

Yellow dots indicate DTU and SDU
default model values

16

0.20
Dw/TEU t/m 3)

Lightweight/Lpp/B/D (t/m 3)

0.25

0.15

14

12

0.10
10

0.05

0.00
0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

2000

Container capacity (TEU)

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

Fig. 8 Deadweight/TEU as function of TEU

0.80

7.0

0.75

6.5

0.70

6.0

Lpp/Depl.vol1/3

Block coefficient

6000

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. 7 Lightweight coefficient as function of TEU

0.65

0.60

All container ships

Yellow dots indicate DTU and SDU
default model values

0.55

4000

5.5

5.0

All container ships

Yellow dots indicate DTU and SDU
default model values

4.5

4.0

0.50
0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

Container capacity (TEU)

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. 9 Block coefficient as function of TEU

Fig. 10 Length displacement ratio as function of

TEU

Appendix A - Small container ships (< 2900 TEU)

Length pp

= 10.14 * TEU0.378

Breadth

= 2.9 * TEU0.3

Depth

= 0.767 * TEU0.394

Draught

= 0.827 * TEU0.336

Lightweight/Lpp/B/D

= 0.659 * TEU-0.23

Deadweight/TEU

= 13.65

230

34
0.378

y = 2.9x
R2 = 0.92

30

170

Breadth (m)

Length pp (m)

0.3

y = 10.14x
R2 = 0.95

200

140

26

22

IHS Fairplay data

110

IHS Fairplay data

DTU-SDU model

18

DTU-SDU model

Power (IHS Fairplay data)

Potens (IHS Fairplay data)

80
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

14

3000

500

Container capacity (TEU)

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. A1 Length between pp as function of TEU

Fig. A2 Breadth as function of TEU

14

21
0.394

y = 0.767x
R2 = 0.87

0.336

y = 0.827x
R2 = 0.88

12

Draught (m)

Depth (m)

17

13

10

IHS Fairplay data

IHS Fairplay data

DTU-SDU model

Potens (IHS Fairplay data)

DTU-SDU model
Potens (IHS Fairplay data)

5
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Container capacity (TEU)

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. A3 Depth as function of TEU

Fig. A4 Maximum draught as function of TEU

6.5

0.80

6.0

0.70

Lpp/Depl.vol1/3

Block coefficient

0.75

0.65

0.60

5.0
IHS Fairplay data

IHS Fairplay data

0.55

5.5

4.5

DTU-SDU model

DTU-SDU model

Potens (IHS Fairplay data)

Potens (IHS Fairplay data)

0.50

4.0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

500

Container capacity (TEU)

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. A5 Block coefficient as function of TEU

Fig. A6 Length displacement ratio as function of

TEU

20

0.30

18

0.25

Lightweight/Lpp/B/D (t/m 3)

Dw/TEU (t/TEU)

IHS Fairplay data

16

14

12

Potens (IHS Fairplay data)

0.20

0.15

0.10
-0.23

y = 0.659x
R2 = 0.25

0.05

IHS Fairplay data

10

DTU-SDU model

DTU-SDU model

0.00

8
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Fig. A7 Deadweight/TEU as function of TEU

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Container capacity (TEU)

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. A8 Lightweight coefficient as function of TEU

Appendix B Panamax container ships (1900 5300 TEU)

Length pp

= 2.494 * TEU0.555 (< = 3800 TEU)

Length pp

= 241.92 + (TEU 3800) * 0.037 (>3800 TEU)

Breadth

= 32.22 m

Depth

= 14.77 + 0.0013 * TEU

Draught

= 2.19 * TEU0.211 (<= 3300 TEU)

Draught

= 12.1 + (TEU 3300) * 0.00082 (> 3300 TEU)

Lightweight/Lpp/B/D

= 0.105

Deadweight/TEU

= 14.6 0.00038 * TEU

The regression formulas for the length and the draught have been split into two formulas
respectively, in order to obtain the best possible curve fit, for length and draught. These
adjustments were also carried out to obtain the best fitted values for the block coefficient and the
length displacement ratio, which are calculated indirectly on basis of all the regression formulas, for
the main dimensions and the weights.

300

32.4
y = -2E-07x + 32.22
R2 = 2E-05

x < 3800
y = 2.494x0.555

270

32.3

240

Breadth (m)

Length pp (m)

R = 0.83

210

IHS Fairplay data

IHS Fairplay data

32.1

DTU-SDU model

180

32.2

DTU-SDU model
Liner (IHS Fairplay data)

Potens (IHS Fairplay data)

150
1800

2300

2800

3300

3800

4300

4800

32.0
1800

5300

Container capacity (TEU)

2300

2800

3300

3800

4300

4800

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. B1 Length between pp as function of TEU

Fig. B2 Breadth as function of TEU

5300

24

14
y = 0.0013x + 14.77
2

R = 0.38

21

x < 3300
y = 2.19x0.211

13

Draught (m)

Depth (m)

R = 0.59

18

12

IHS Fairplay data

15

IHS Fairplay data

11

DTU-SDU model

DTU-SDU model

Liner (IHS Fairplay data)

12
1800

2300

2800

3300

3800

4300

4800

Potens (IHS Fairplay data)

10
1800

5300

2300

Container capacity (TEU)

2800

3300

3800

4300

4800

5300

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. B3 Depth as function of TEU

Fig. B4 Maximum draught as function of TEU

7.0

0.80

0.75

6.5

Lpp/Depl.vol1/3

Block coefficient

0.70

0.65

0.60

6.0

5.5
IHS Fairplay data

IHS Fairplay data

DTU-SDU model

0.55

DTU-SDU model

5.0

Potens (IHS Fairplay data)

Potens (IHS Fairplay data)

0.50
1800

2300

2800

3300

3800

4300

4800

4.5
1800

5300

2300

Container capacity (TEU)

2800

3300

3800

4300

4800

5300

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. B5 Block coefficient as function of TEU

Fig. B6 Length displacement ratio as function of

TEU

16

0.15

0.12
Dw/TEU (t/TEU)

Lightweight/Lpp/B/D (t/m 3)

y = - 0.00038x + 14.6
R2 = 0.06

0.09

0.06

0.03

14

12

IHS Fairplay data

y = 2E-06x + 0.0999
R2 = 0.005

DTU-SDU model

IHS Fairplay data

Liner (IHS Fairplay data)

DTU-SDU model
Liner (IHS Fairplay data)

0.00
1800

2300

2800

3300

3800

4300

4800

10
1800

5300

2300

2800

3300

3800

4300

4800

5300

Container capacity (TEU)

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. B7 Lightweight coefficient as function of TEU

Fig, B8 Deadweight/TEU as function of TEU

Appendix C Post Panamax container ships (> 4000 TEU)

Length pp

= 131.31 + 0.03012 * TEU 0.00000099556 * TEU2 (<= 8000 TEU)

Length pp

= 14.66 * TEU0.339 (> 8000 TEU)

Breadth

= 32.51 + 0.0013 * TEU

Depth

= MIN(30.2,16.5 + 0.0011 * TEU)

Draught

= 12.73 + 0.0002 * TEU

Lightweight/Lpp/B/D

= MAX(0.09,0.104 0.00000115 * TEU)

Dw/TEU

= MAX(11.2;50.43 * TEU-0.16)

The regression formula for the length has been split into two formulas, in order to obtain the best
possible curve fit, for the length. This adjustment was also carried out to obtain the best fitted
values for the block coefficient and the length displacement ratio, which are calculated indirectly on
basis of all the regression formulas, for the main dimensions and the weights.

57

390
<= 8000 TEU

IHS Fairplay data

y = -0.00000099556x + 0.030116x + 131.31

54

DTU-SDU model

360

Statistical outliers
Linear (IHS Fairplay data)

>8000 TEU
330

Breadth (m)

Length pp (m)

51
0.339

y = 14.66x
R2 = 0.89

300
IHS Fairplay data
DTU-SDU model
Statistical outliers
Additional data (<8000 TEU)
Power (IHS Fairplay data)
Poly. (Additional data (<8000 TEU))

270

240
4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

48
45
42
y = 0.0013x + 32.51

39

R = 0.82

36
4000

16000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

Container capacity (TEU)

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. C1 Length between pp as function of TEU

Fig. C2 Breadth as function of TEU

16000

17

32

y = 0.0002x + 12.73
R2 = 0.30

16

29
Draught (m)

Depth (m)

15

26

13

IHS Fairplay data

DTU-SDU model
Statistical outliers

23

20
4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14

IHS Fairplay data

DTU-SDU model
Statistical outliers
Linear (IHS Fairplay data)

12

14000

11
4000

16000

6000

Fig. C3 Depth as function of TEU

10000

12000

14000

16000

Fig. C4 Maximum draught as function of TEU

6.6

0.80

0.75

6.4

Lpp/Depl.vol1/3

0.70

Block coefficient

8000

Container capacity (TEU)

Container capacity (TEU)

0.65

0.60

6.2

6.0
IHS Fairplay data
DTU-SDU model
Statistical outliers
Power (IHS Fairplay data)

IHS Fairplay data

Statistical outliers

0.55

5.8

DTU-SDU model
Power (IHS Fairplay data)

0.50
4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

5.6
4000

16000

6000

Container capacity (TEU)

10000

12000

14000

16000

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. C5 Block coefficient as function of TEU

Fig. C6 Length displacement ratio as function of

TEU

15

0.12

0.10

IHS Fairplay data

DTU- SDU model
Statistical outliers
Power (IHS Fairplay data)

14

0.08

Dw/TEU (t/TEU)

Lightweight/Lpp/B/D (t/m 3)

8000

y = -0.00000115x + 0.104

0.06

R = 0.05
0.04
IHS Fairplay data
DTU-SDU model

0.02

13

-0.16

y = 50.43x
R2 = 0.29

12

11

Linear (IHS Fairplay data)

0.00
4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

11000

10
4000

12000

Container capacity (TEU)

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. C7 Lightweight coefficient as function of

TEU

Fig. C8 Deadweight/TEU as unction of TEU

Appendix D Water plane area coefficient and draught change

The water plane area coefficient, Cw, at maximum draught, for container ships is shown in Fig. D1
for ships in the IHS Fairplay data base.
Cw depends on the block coefficient, Cb, as follows:
Cw = 0.55 + 0.45 Cb
where Cw and Cb are calculated on basis of the length between pp.

0.95

Waterplane area coefficient (-)

Waterplane area coefficient

0.95

0.90

0.85

0.80

y = 0.45x + 0.55
0.75
0.55

Cb = 0,66

Cb = 0,61

Cb = 0,68

Cb = 0,65

Cb = 0,60

Cb = 0,64

Cb = 0,62

Cb = 0,65

0.90

0.85

0.80

0.75

0.70

0.65
0.60

0.65

0.70

0.75

0.80

50

60

Block coefficient

Fig. D1 Water plane area coefficient as function

of the block coefficient for container ships (IHS
Fairplay)

70
80
Relative displacement (%)

90

100

Fig. D2 Water plane area coefficient as

function the relative displacement

In Fig. D2 is shown the water plane area coefficient as function of the relative displacement for
some container ships, for which more detailed information has been available. Based on the
results in Fig. D2, the water plane area coefficient at a displacement
can be approximated as
follows:
(

It is important to know the how the water plane area coefficient depends on the displacement as it
is used to calculate the draught change due to change of the displacement.
Maximum/scantling draught and design draught
All data presented in this report are presented as function of the maximum deadweight.
Normally two draughts are specified for container ships, namely the design draught and the
scantling draught. The design draught is the draught at which the ship is expected to operate
normally, while the scantling draught is the maximum permissible draught according to the class
rules. Comparison of scantling draught data (Significant Ships, 1990 2010) with summer load line
draught data (denoted maximum draught in this report and in the IHS Fairplay data base) shows

10

that the summer load line draught is nearly identical with the scantling draught (Fig. D3). The
summer load line is the maximum permitted draught at which both stability and strength
requirements are fulfilled, i.e. it is maximum draught approved by the Maritime Authorities.
The design draught is less than the scantling draught, which is shown in Fig. D4 based on data for
255 container ships from Significant Ships (1990 2010). Regression formulas for determination of
the design draught as function of TEU have been developed as follows (see Fig. D5):
= MIN(12; 1.188 * TEU0.279)

for Panamax and feeder ships

Design draught

= 4.83 * TEU0.11

for Post Panamax ships

16

16

13

13

Draught (m)

Draught (m)

Design draught

10

10

Max. draught (IHS Fairplay)

7

Design draught (Significant Ships)

Scantling draught (Significant Ships)

Scantling draught (Significant Ships)

4
0

3000

6000

9000

12000

15000

3000

Container capacity (TEU)

6000

9000

12000

15000

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. D3 Maximum draught for container ships

(IHS Fairplay) compared with scantling draught
according to Significant Ships (1990 2010)

Fig. D4 Design draught versus scantling

draught for container ships according to
Significant Ships (1990 2010)

16

16
0.279

y = 1.188x
2

R = 0.89

13
0.11

y = 4.83x
2

Draught (m)

Design draught (m)

13

R = 0.27
10
Panamax ships (Significant Ships)

10

Maximum draught (IHS Fairplay data)

Post Panamax ships (Significant Ships)

Design Draught (DTU-SDU model)

Potens (Panamax ships (Significant Ships))

Maximum draught (DTU-SDU model)

Potens (Post Panamax ships (Significant Ships))

4
0

3000

6000

9000

12000

15000

Fig. D5 Design draught for container ships

according to Significant Ships (1990 2010)

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

Container capacity (TEU)

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. D6 Design and scantling draught according

to DTU-SDU model

11

For container ships, the design displacement is 85 % to 90 % of the maximum displacement which
means that Cw ~ 0.45 Cb + 0.55. The design deadweight can then be calculated according to this
approximate formula:
)

The resulting design deadweight is shown in Fig. D7, where it is compared with design deadweight
data from Significant Ships (1990 2010).

160000

150000

Maximum deadweight (t)

Design deadweight (m)

120000

90000

60000

Panamax ships (Significant Ships)

30000

120000

80000

40000

Panamax ships (Significant Ships)

Post Panamax ships (Significant Ships)

Post Panamax ships (Significant Ships)

DTU-SDU model

DTU-SDU model

3000

6000

9000

12000

15000

Container capacity (TEU)

3000

6000

9000

12000

Container capacity (TEU)

Fig. D7 Design deadweight

Fig. D8 Maximum deadweight

12

15000