A Study on the Minimum Fuel Consumption Route-II : Simulation in the North Pacific Ocean

Abstract

In this paper, the minimum fuel consumption routing in the North Pacific is discussed. The optimal control laws of course and engine power to minimize the total fuel consumption are derived from calculus of variations. Using those control laws, performance curve of a 35,300 G/T container ship and environmental data (wave and current), the properties of minimum fuel consumption route are investigated by numerical simulations. As a result, compared with Great Circle Route, fuel oil was saved by 15.5% in westbound and 5.8% in eastbound voyage, on the average. Furthermore, the following conclusions were obtained. (1) Course control is more effective than engine control for saving the fuel oil. (2) Wave is more influential environmental factor than current in the minimum fuel consumption routing. (3) Minimum fuel consumption route avoids the area of high head seas for which a ship is obliged to alter her course or reduce the engine power.