SHIPLOAD

Onboard Loading Computer

Equilibrium in a grounding situation

Through continuous development of software related to hydrostatic and stability, MARINTEK has created a set of calculation functions which enables us to develop software systems suitable for a variety of uses. One of the main areas of use is related to onboard loading computers dedicated for a range of marine vehicles, such as tankers, container vessels, crane vessels, rigs etc. These loading computers may be furnished with highly sophisticated functions such as seakeeping performance, damage stability/grounding calculations, ballast simulation, decision support etc. Some of these systems have previously been marketed as different versions of LODIC (Load Distribution Control).
 
Based on a specific loading condition, all versions of SHIPLOAD performs calculation of

• equilibrium, (displacement, trim, draught and list)
• initial stability, GM
• righting levers, GZ
• stability margin

 

Loading condition view

For specific vessels, additional functions may be added, such as:

• longitudinal strength, shear force and bending moment distribution
• longitudinal strength control
• damage stability calculations, both predefined according to requirements or user specified
• grounding calculations
• hull girder deflections
• residual strength calculations
• squat calculations (sinkage in narrow seaways)
• volume calculation for tanks based on ullage/sounding, trim and list
• ballast simulation

SHIPLOAD may be integrated with gauging systems for ullage/soundings and draughts to perform on-line/surveillance calculations.

To ease the use of the system, SHIPLOAD may be set up with input possibilities dedicated different types of weight items. For example, to enter load in a crane the inputs are outreach, sleewing angle and hook no. instead of LCG, TCG and VCG. An image taken from the system shows the input environment of the system. This very same image is used throughout the entire input process to establish the loading condition.

Screen image for loading condition input and general results.

On the upper left side, the different item groups are listed, the active one being Cargo Tanks. The main part of the image shows a list of the items connected to Cargo Tanks, with the different fields for input made available, such as weight, filling degree, density, API, temperature etc. In the lower right part, further details related to active item are shown. In the lower left part, equilibrium data is shown, automatically being updated. Finally, in the upper part, stability and longitudinal strength control results are displayed. Different graphical views as shown on previous page may be active while working with the loading condition.

Once the loading condition is established, further calculations may be performed to verify details related to equilibrium, stability and strength, and finally to produce necessary reports.

With the possibility of performing damage and grounding calculations, the system may be used for emergency response purposes. Together with the ballast simulator and a hierarchy of possible incidents, the user will have in hand a powerful system for getting advice on how to cope with critical situation. Operating on-line, this system may continuously come up with possible ballasting solutions according to the progress of the situation.

System requirements:

SHIPLOAD is a fast system that exploits the computational power of a 32-bit processor.

Minimum requirements are:

• Pentium processor
• 64 Mb RAM

Operating system:

• Windows NT

SHIPLOAD is developet at MARINTEK, - marketing and sale is handled by LODIC a.s.

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