A CFD investigation of the propulsion performance of a low-speed VLCC tanker at different initial trim angles

The backbone of global trade is now the maritime sector. In response to worries about global warming, a thorough analysis of ship greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) has been conducted recently. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) claims that trim optimization is an economical way to lower greenhouse gas emissions while increasing the economic efficiency of ships. This study uses computational fluid dynamics to optimize trim in low-speed situations on the KVLCC2 tanker model based on how trim affects propulsion and viscous resistance factors (CFD). This was achieved by simulating the double-body, resistance, and self-propulsion tests in two Froude numbers less than 0.15. The results validated with the available experimental data showed excellent agreement. Based on the analysis, 0.2° trim by bow decreased the total resistance, decreased propeller thrust, and enhanced hydrodynamic propulsive efficiency. •The initial trim, however small, can significantly affect the ship's resistance components even at low forward speeds.•The initial by fore trim positively affects various thrust parameters, such as the wake factor and trust deduction factor.•Results show that trimming by the bow at low speed reduces fuel oil consumption by 10%.