Joint study examines

As Tanker Shipping & Trade was going to press, Lloyd’s Register and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co announced that they have completed an investigation into the use of radiused hopper knuckles versus welded types for the connection of hopper tank sloping plates in large VLCCs.

The study examined whether radiused knuckles might increase productivity during construction, due to the faster fabrication process involved. Additionally, the team examined whether there might be benefits to owners and operators in terms of easier maintenance.

The study was based on finite element analysis of a 300,000 dwt double hull VLCC, utilising both global and zoom models to identify potential stress hot spots.

A full report on the study will appear in the November/December issue of Tanker Shipping & Trade. TST