Study on power matching of podded propulsor for polar ships

Objective To enhance the pertinence and applicability of polar ships with podded propulsion design, the power matching problem should be researched.

Methods Based on the overseas classification rules of ice classes and the results of ship investigation, the seaworthiness ranges of ships in different polar classes over the four seasons of the Arctic are confirmed. Based on the Lindqvist formula, the ice resistance levels of three typical podded propulsion ships in the polar regions are calculated, and the required power of a podded propulsion ship is obtained. Based on an investigation of mature pod thruster products on the market, a preliminary selection method for the pod thrusters of polar ships is established.

Results Combined with the current single machine power and arrangement types of pod thrusters, the power matching results and preliminary suggestions for the selection of various ship types under different ice levels are obtained.

Conclusion The results of this study can provide references for thruster selection in the design stage.