FSG assembles the hull of the new LNG-powered ferry, showcasing its sustainable design
By
Richard Humphreys |
Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG) has started to assemble the hull of Brittany Ferries’ first LNG-powered ship Honfleur at its yard in Germany.
Held to mark a construction milestone and bring good fortune to the ship, the traditional keel-laying and coin ceremony was attended by representatives from Brittany Ferries and FSG. The keel laying is the point when the first hull blocks are lowered onto a slipway, and after they are joined, they will form Honfleur’s complete hull.
The shape of the hull – of which the keel is the very lowest beam running from bow to stern – has a significant impact on a ship’s manoeuvrability in port and its stability at sea. Honfleur’s design aims to reduce vibration to create a comfortable passenger experience.
Billerbeck and the FSG team spent around three months creating a digital model of Honfleur’s hull, and testing it using computational fluid dynamic software. The tests allowed the FSG to visualise the impact waves have on the ship, and how best to conserve energy. FSG also created animations to gauge how Honfleur will perform in heavy seas as well as calculating power statistics to ensure she meets efficiency targets set by Brittany Ferries.
“Technology has transformed the way we design hulls,” said Heike Billerbeck, head of ship theory and hydrodynamics at FSG. “Over the last 20 to 30 years we've reduced wave resistance by between a third and a half.”
Other innovations that will feature on Honfleur will reduce fuel consumption and enhance ride quality for passengers.
“Passengers will never see Honfleur’s hull, but they will certainly feel its benefit,” said Brice Robinson, Brittany Ferries’ naval architect. “Think of your car. It has been designed to slip through the air as cleanly as possible to maximise its fuel efficiency. The hull of a ship is just the same. It’s just a question of hydrodynamics rather than aerodynamics.”
Launching into the Baltic Sea, Honfleur is set to debut in December 2018.