Prediction of ships’ speed-power relationship at speed intervals below the design speed

This study investigates the speed-power relationship of ships, and is based on a combined econometric and naval architectural data-driven model fed with operational data from more than 50,000 noon reports obtained from 88 tankers. It is shown that the speed-power exponent is significantly lower than 3 at speed intervals below the design speed. This finding, including the study itself, affects the environmental discussions related to slow steaming, since it implies that slow steaming will not be as good as often stated. As such, the study imparts attention to speed optimisation, rather than reduction, in the political and environmental debate focused on the reduction of carbon emissions from shipping.