Utilisation of data base in preliminary design of marine power plant

The paper presents general rules of utilization of database, called „significant ships list,” for preliminary design of ship’s propulsion and configuration of power plant. Knowledge collected in the database is related to new buildings classified according to type, displacement, shipping class etc. It encompass general dimensions, characteristics of mobility ,propulsion’s power and type of main engines and propulsors, electric power plant, boilers and main mechanisms of a power plant. In the paper is presented method of utilization of the significant ships list during design of a container ship with capacity of 1300 TEU and speed of 18 knots. The first step of propulsion and main engine’s selection is determination of main dimensions, i.e. displacement, length, draft and breadth. That dimensions cannot be selected random way, due to hull’s mobility, stability and durability constraints. The list of significant ships consisted of 30 units, and amongst them, 17 were selected and analyzed. Others were rejected because of significant difference from mean values what could be due to different class of the ships.