The propulsion system behaviour is a key aspect for the overall dynamics of a ship. However
despite its great importance numerical methodologies for detailed investigations on marine
propulsion dynamics are not yet widely covered in scientific literature. This book presents the
main steps for the development of a multi-physic simulation platform able to represent the
motions of a twin screw ship in six degrees of freedom taking into account the whole
propulsion system and automation effects. A number of mathematical sub-models had been
developed and calibrated by a set of experimental tests in model and full scale. Finally the
sea trials campaign of a ship is used to validate and tune the developed simulator. The
proposed simulation methodology can be used in the ship preliminary design phase in order to
plan and test the propulsion system and automation. Further applications can include the design
optimization and crew training.
