Structural and Hydrodynamic Impacts of Lengthening a Field Support Vessel: Implications for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

The lengthening of vessels represents an efficient solution to enhance operational performance and reduce environmental impact by optimizing hull design and lowering emissions. This study analyzes the structural and hydrodynamic effects of a 5-meter lengthening for a Field Support Vessel (FSV) intended for offshore operations in Talara, Peru. The structural analysis, conducted with DNV's Poseidon software, confirms the feasibility of the lengthened design, showing a 14% increase in the required sectional modulus and a significant improvement in load capacity. The vessel's maximum allowable length is determined as 76 meters, with an optimal sectional modulus of 0.90 m³. The hydrodynamic analysis, performed with Maxsurf Motion software, highlights significant improvements in seakeeping performance. The lengthened design decrease 10% of rolling amplitude and 5% pitching under critical conditions, particularly in beam and heave seas. Although the calculated freeboard suggests a draft of 5.58 meters, an operational draft of 4.25 meters at a speed of 14 knots is selected to ensure optimal performance under the maritime conditions of the region. This study demonstrates that hull lengthening not only enhances operational efficiency but also contributes to the environmental sustainability of offshore operations.