Modularity is often mentioned as a method to make a vessel’s design flexible during its lifetime. However, literature often focuses on ways to apply modularity to naval vessels instead of asking if modularity improves the vessel, or the organizational process, at all. This paper aims to build a framework to give the naval architect valuable insights into the possible benefits and the technical impact of modularity application. When a system is
deemed a feasible module, a final evaluation is performed to assess if the modular variant of the system actually improves the vessel or the organizational process.

This research presents a framework consisting of a Modular Function Deployment (MFD), Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), and Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) model to assess the suitability and technical feasibility of modular systems. The MFD aims to identify high-potential modular systems based on modularity drivers defined and rated by the naval architect. Next, the AHP aims to map the most important functions of the vessel. Since modularity always comes with increased weight, the naval architect can use the AHP to ask
themselves if the system fulfills a function that is important enough to embrace the increased weight. With the KBE model, the technical impact of modular systems can be assessed in terms of weight, estimated draft, and stability. When a system scores high on the MFD, it indicates the system would benefit from modularity. When its accompanying function scores high on the AHP, it indicates the system fulfills an important function. The technical impact of making the system modular can be assessed with the KBE model. If the technical impact is
deemed acceptable, the system can be labeled as a ‘feasible’ module. The final effectiveness assessment will indicate if the feasible module actually improves the vessel’s design or the organizational process. This way, a framework will be developed which gives the naval architect valuable insights into the potential benefits and costs of modularity.

A case study will be presented on a landing platform dock and the future air defender (FuAD) of the RNLN. Results show the FuAD has higher-potential systems for modularity, so the KBE model is applied to only the FuAD. In the KBE model, an air surveillance radar and Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) are modeled as a non-modular system and then as a modular variant. This way, the impact of making a system modular is assessed. The KBE model results in a technically feasible module for the air surveillance radar and LDEW. The final effectiveness assessment results in a preference for a non-modular air surveillance radar and a modular
LDEW. This shows that modularity does not necessarily improve the system and a structural way to approach modularity and compare it to a non-modular variant is required.

The framework can be applied to a wide variety of vessels, including commercial vessels. The framework uses generally applicable methods, and by combining them in a structural way the decision-making on whether to use modularity or not can be improved. For naval vessels, the effectiveness depends on the intentions of the end user. By qualifying the expert opinion using AHP, both by identifying the most important functions and the final evaluation, this intention is integrated into the framework. This also personalizes the outcome: based on the intentions of the end-user, completely different outcomes can be retrieved from this framework. After computing the framework for a specific vessel type, the results can partially be applied to other vessel types, within the same organization due to the end-user intentions mentioned above, as well. If a modular system is preferred over the non-modular variant, this implies the other vessel types will also benefit from this system as a module. Since this system is already defined as an HLP in the KBE model, the system can easily be imported into another
design. The hull form can be easily changed as well since this already is an external Rhino file imported into the Python file. These factors make the framework applicable to a wide variety of different vessel types.

The current global fleet is still dependent on conventional fuels as energy source to transport goods to various places in the world. These conventional fuels, such as MGO or HFO, emit large amounts of greenhouse gasses and other pollutant emissions. Regulation concerning these emissions becomes stricter every day, therefore institutions and governments have established reduction targets. To accomplish these reductions, net zero alternative fuels are serious candidates to investigate. As a result of these developments, Thecla Bodewes Shipyards is interested in solutions to reduce these emissions for their general cargo vessel series.

Therefore, the objective of this research is to select the most suitable alternative fuel power- and energy system for a 7000 DWT general cargo vessel. In order to accomplish this objective, a literature review concerning potential alternative fuels is performed. After the selection of methanol as alternative fuel, the object of study is defined with specific boundaries and assumptions of the model. For the comparison of the current power- and energy system with future power- and energy systems, performance indicators are established and calculated. Subsequently, a case study is performed in which three concept designs for storage of methanol and two power plant configurations are proposed based on suitable
energy converters on methanol and electrical load balance of the vessel. This research concludes that the fuel consumption of the vessel increased by a factor 2.1-2.4, range decreased by respectively 35% and 45% and payload decreased by 70 tonnes. Concerning the application of a methanol power- and energy system on board of a 7000 DWT general cargo vessel, a SI-ICE power plant with methanol as main fuel seemed most feasible.