SHIP CONSTRUCTION

Instructor: Sachindra Ruwandi Thotage

Lecture No 1: Introduction to the ship construction
Topics discussing:
• Types of hull
• Stern tube sealing arrangements
• Thrust block
• Intermediate bearing
• Shaft current grounding system
• Introduction to corrosion control and antifouling systems
• Nature and forms of corrosion - Atmosphere, electrochemical nature, bimetallic, stress, corrosion allowance
• Corrosion control
Cathodic protection,
protective coating
• Antifouling systems
• Impressed current,
• antifouling paints
Painting ships
• Surface preparation,
• temporarily paints,
• paint systems on ships
Introduction
The Ship Building Process.
• Preliminary design
• Detailed plans ------→ Steel ordered
• Approval of plans
• Loft work/Offset
• ---- Steel delivered
• Issue of steel
• Material preparation
• Manufacture of plates and sections
• Subassemblies and Assemblies produced
• Units fabricated
• Units erected, faired and welded
Preliminary Ship Design
• Type of Ship --→ Purpose, Functions and Operation
• Cargo
• Fishing
• Service Ship owner(s)
• Naval

Naval Architects Classification Society

Parties
Involved

Consultants
Ship Builder
Outcome of preliminary design
• Main Dimensions
• Displacement
• Stability details
• Propulsive characteristics
• Hull form
• General arrangement
• Principal structural details
• The key requirement of a new ship is that it can trade profitably, so economics
is of prime importance in designing a merchant ship. An owner requires a ship
that will give the best possible returns for the owner’s initial investment and
running costs.
Basic Nomenclature
• Bow and Stern: The forwardmost contour of the ship’s hull is called the bow, and the aft-most, is its stern. The stem is the
forward most contour part of the bow.

• Forward Perpendicular: If a perpendicular is drawn at the point where the bow intersects the waterline, this imaginary
perpendicular line is called the forward perpendicular. For most hydrostatic calculations, the forward perpendicular is used as
the forward reference of the hull.

• Aft Perpendicular: Depending on the designer, the aft perpendicular can be the perpendicular drawn through the rudder
post's aft side or through the rudder pintles' center-line. The aft perpendicular is the aft reference line for all hydrostatic
calculations.

• Length between Perpendiculars: The length between the forward and aft perpendiculars is the length between
perpendiculars. The LBP is a very important parameter in all stability calculations, hence calculation of the LBP at various drafts
becomes an important step in carrying out stability analyses.

• Sheer: The upward curve formed by the main deck with reference to the level of the deck at the midship, is called sheer. It is
usually given to allow flow of green water from the forward and aft ends to the midship and allow drainage to the bilges. The
forward sheer is usually more than the aft sheer to protect the forward anchoring machinery from the waves.

• Summer Load Line: The summer load line is the waterline of the ship at sea water when it is at its design weight and ballast
conditions. It is also called the design draft ; this forms the reference for all other load lines of the ship.
• Length on waterline: the length of a ship or boat at the level where it sits in the water (the waterline).
• Length overall is measured from the tip of the bow in a straight line to the stern of the vessel.

Molded dimensions
• these are taken to the inside of plating on a metal ship
Different types of weights in a ship

• Sea vessels operating in the maritime industry are made of steel to give structure to the
ships and add stability and malleability.
• Maritime vessels are made of steel and built on the lower part of the hull, responsible for
floating the ship on the water.
• Manufacturing companies can calculate the structural weight of a cargo ship by adding its
components, including hull, decks, and superstructure. There are different types of cargo
ships, and their weight may vary depending on their design and materials used for
construction.
Fundamental Mechanism
Architects use Archimedes’ principle to calculate the weight of the ship. The ship’s
weight exerts pressure on the water but keeps floating due to buoyancy (upthrust
force exerted by the water on the ship that keeps it floating). Therefore, a ship’s
design, construction, and weight are optimized to match its buoyancy.
The different types of weight in a ship are expressed in terms of tonnage.

• Types of weights in a ship

1. Gross Tonnage (GT)– It measures the volume of closed spaces in a vessel, including the engine rooms, crew
accommodation compartments, area for the cargo hold, etc. 1 gross tonnage is expressed as 100 cubic feet. The
formula for calculating gross tonnage in ships is GT = K1V, where K1 is a constant expressed as 0.2 + 0.02 log10 V, and
V is the volume of enclosed space and is expressed in cubic meters. The value of gross weight is essential while
drafting regulations such as SOLAS ( Safety of Life at Sea).

2. Net Tonnage (NT)– As opposed to gross tonnage, net tonnage measures a vessel’s cargo-carrying capacity. It is
calculated by subtracting the volume of spaces such as crew, machinery, and fuel accommodation alongside the
engine room space by the gross tonnage value. Net weight is beneficial in assessing a vessel’s efficiency and
profitability.

3. Deadweight Tonnage (DWT)– The overall capacity of a ship to carry weights, including cargo, crew, water, fuel, and
machinery, is expressed as deadweight tonnage. Different designs of vessels vary in deadweight tonnage. It is a
crucial parameter for defining a ship’s efficiency in carrying cargo without exceeding its safety limit.
4. Cargo Tonnage– It describes the cargo space in the ship where shipping companies load
the container according to the vessel’s stowage plan. It is the sum of all sorts of cargo with
their containers, vehicles, and equipment for loading and unloading.
5. Lightweight Tonnage– It describes the weight of a well-built empty ship and is calculated
using the Archimedes principle. The amount of water displaced by an empty ship is the
calculation of its lightweight tonnage. While measuring this, no fuel, water, cargo, or
passengers must be on board. It is, therefore, the measure of the actual weight of the ship
with all its structures intact.
** For Container ships:
TEU and FEU: Indicate the cargo-carrying capacity of container ships. TEU (twenty-foot
equivalent unit) indicates the number of standard shipping containers that may be carried on
some shipping routes; container ships may carry standard containers that are 40 feet in
length. FEU is forty-foot equivalent unit
Types of Different Ships and their development