A simulation-based ship design methodology for evaluating susceptibility to weather-induced delays during marine operations

ABSTRACT In this paper, we present and test a discrete-event simulation approach for evaluating the inherent susceptibility to weather-induced delays during marine operations as a consequence of limitations in vessel response characteristics. The simulation routine replicates the execution of operations in a long-term perspective by applying weather data time series and vessel response-based operational criteria. Weather windows are taken as the basis for the operation startup criterion. A case study is presented where we examine the capabilities of the simulation methodology towards reflecting the inherent weather challenges in operational scenarios and the ability to distinguish between alternative design concepts. Comparison is performed towards the percentage operability method and integrated operability factor to uncover advantages of the presented approach. Application of the simulation methodology is found to yield further knowledge of the inherent operational persistence and weather delay susceptibility of proposed vessel designs in the early phases of ship design.