Towards Climate Resilient Inland Waterway Vessel Design: Concept of Distributed Thrust for Shallow Water Conditions

Abstract

Inland waterway vessels are critical to the hinterland transportation network, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to road and rail transport. However, climate change poses significant challenges, such as fluctuating water levels and extreme shallow water conditions that lead to increased resistance and reduced propulsive efficiency. These conditions necessitate innovative design and operational strategies to ensure the efficiency and sustainability of propulsion systems. Given the increase in resistance and risk of propeller emergence in shallow water conditions, this study explores the development of climate-resilient inland vessels, by implementing the distributed thrust concept, where multiple smaller propellers replace conventional single relatively large units, offering superior maneuverability, propeller load distribution, and adaptability to varying water depths and conditions. Utilising state-of-the-art resistance approximation and a robust optimisation method, this research proposes a novel shallow-water model that enables optimal configuration of propeller size, number, and placement, considering key performance metrics such as thrust efficiency and ventilation mitigation, contributing to sustainable inland waterway transportation. Results from a case study demonstrate that the distributed propulsion system can effectively shift the operational threshold for propulsion, extending the navigational capabilities and performance in water depths where conventional design would face limitations. The findings highlight the potential of integrating distributed propulsion with advanced optimisation techniques to address climate-induced challenges while ensuring operational reliability.