Arctic tankers: current and future structural design practice

Fleet development and design trends for the Arctic tanker fleet indicate a progressive increase in ship size. The trend to larger ship size is also reflected in feasibility studies considering very large Arctic tanker design concepts. A review of current Arctic tanker structural design practice is offered including an examination of two recent Arctic tanker designs to compare; Steel-weight and benefits of two types of ice belt structures Ice belt scantlings determined to RS ice category and IACS Polar Class rule requirements The Arctic tanker of the future is expected to be a significant step outside of the accumulated design and operation experience base of existing Arctic tankers. For future Arctic tankers it is then expected that new practices for structural design will be required and applied.