Main propulsion of modern cruise liners and main propulsion power estimation

This paper describes development trends of modern cruise liners and their main propulsion plants as well The growing size of such vessels and growing power of propulsion plants is observed in the population. Diesel-electric propulsion plants, combined propulsions plants CO D AG type (diesel and gas turbines) and COGES type (gas turbines and steam turbines) are mostly used on this class ships. In this types of propulsion diesel engines, gas turbines and steam turbines drive generators thus creating central electric power station to supply electric power to main propulsion electric motors and to ship electric network as well. Medium speed diesel gear type main propulsions are used on older cruise liners only. The paper presents the method of preliminary estimation of ship energetic system parameters i. e. main propulsion power, onboard electric power station power and auxiliary boilers capacity. The method is based on statistic analysis of cruise liners being in service and under construction. Statistic methods are elaborated in Department of Marine Propulsion Plants of Gdynia Maritime University. These methods make possible in simple and quick way to estimate parameters of ship energetic system. The estimation is carried out with good correlation coefficient and high coefficient ofregression determination. Statistic methods make also possible to forecast energetic systems parameters for ships to be built in the future.