The naval architect has to tackle many of the problems, while designing ships for the loading, storage and transport of polymetallic or other nodules, this article focuses on how to assure appropriate hull strength. This author proposes mathematical relationships and operational and design solutions allowing to more effectively reduce shear forces and bending moments during the loading of nodules in the open sea. The suggested solutions may be used in the design of ships intended for such or other functions.

During ship design, its service speed is one of the crucial parameters that determine its future operational profitability. As sufficiently exact calculation methods applicable to preliminary design stage are lacking, the so-called contract speed, the speed a ship reaches in calm water, is usually specified during the draft stage. The service speed obtainable by a ship under real weather conditions (mainly wind and waves) is one of the most important parameters influencing a ship’s profitability on a given shipping route. This paper presents a parametric model of calculating total ship resistance on a given shipping route under actual weather conditions (wind, waves, sea current), that could be useful in the initial design of container ships.