Lloyd's Register Classification Society (China) [LRCS] and Shenzhen-listed Shanghai Bestway Marine Engineering Design (Bestway) have jointed hands to develop a new fuel-efficient bulk carrier. This is in response to increasing pressure from owners and regulators for shipbuilders to offer environmentally friendlier and more cost-effective vessels. The comprehensive research-and-development project comes as a growing number of yards and owners are using this year's decline in vessel ordering to rethink the designs of the next generation of orders.

The project, which will combine the expertise of Bestway and LRCS will be divided into two work packages: energy-efficiency research into the ship's hull and systems; and technical approval and implementation of the proposed solutions.

Work will focus on finding energy-efficient alternatives for a 35,000-Dwt Handysize bulk carrier. They will research into bow-shape optimisation (to improve vessel-handling and hydrodynamic resistance characteristics), wake-fields in the stern region (to minimise the resistance at the aft end), propeller dynamics (to improve the wake-flow aft of the propeller hub and reduce the drag from fluid flow over the rudder profile), machinery and systems designs (to enhance energy efficiency and to reduce environmental pollutants), etc.

"We are investing in green-ship technology to develop innovative solutions and ensure that we are in a position to meet the demand for the green-ship designs that are increasingly sought-after by owners," said Liu Nan, Bestway bBoard chairman and general manager.