Dimensioning of Fairway Bends—Kinematic Method of Numerical Simulation

The article presents a new kinematic method of numerical simulation intended for establishing dimensions of safe manoeuvring areas of bends in various types of fairways for vessels of specific parameters. The method consists of multiple numerical simulations of a ship’s passage (ship’s centre of gravity) through a bend, representing the entire physically possible movement of the ship, and an analysis of simulation results. The developed method was verified on the bends of the Świnoujście–Szczecin fairway, by comparing the results to the exact simulation method of a ship’s movements. The relatively high accuracy and low costs of the method allow it to be used in a concept design of built or modern waterway systems.