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Oil tankers actually run sophisticated on-board economic models to decide what speed to sail at. Depending on the price of oil, the cost of financing capital, t

by qq66 13y ago

Oil tankers actually run sophisticated on-board economic models to decide what speed to sail at. Depending on the price of oil, the cost of financing capital, the depreciation model for the ship, prevailing ocean currents, etc., they decide whether to run faster (ship fuel efficiency drops massively with speed) or slower. As these factors change during the journey, the tanker adjusts its speed on an hour-by-hour basis.

waterlesscloud 13y ago
Any recommended references for this? Sounds like an interesting topic.
- qq66 13y ago
  Not really, since I learned this from my cousin who is a tanker chief engineer. Maybe these guys? http://www.intertanko.com/Members-Information/benchmark/Optimum-speed-calvulator/ http://www.intertanko.com/Members-Information/benchmark/Opti...
- lancewiggs 13y ago
  One of Bill Gates' recommended books (1) was a great read: "Prime Movers of Globalization: The History and Impact of Diesel Engines and Gas Turbines" (2) The very large and very slow rotating diesel engines used to power ships are incredibly efficient. Oil tankers run very slowly, gas a little faster, then bulk carriers, container ships (time value of those containers is higher than commodity oil and bulk, so they move) and fastest and least efficient of all are cruise ships. The size of some of those engines is fantastic. It's really nerdy and awesome. (1) http://www.thegatesnotes.com/Books/Personal/Prime-Movers-of-Globalization http://www.thegatesnotes.com/Books/Personal/Prime-Movers-of-... (2) http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Movers-Globalization-History-Turbines-ebook/dp/B005FL8HOK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393404978&sr=8-1&keywords=prime+movers+of+globalization+the+history+and+impact+of+diesel+engines+and+gas+turbines http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Movers-Globalization-History-Tur...
  - qq66 13y ago
    Another great book about international shipping is "The Box," a history of containerization.

by qq66 13y ago

waterlesscloud 13y ago

Any recommended references for this? Sounds like an interesting topic.

qq66 13y ago
Not really, since I learned this from my cousin who is a tanker chief engineer. Maybe these guys? http://www.intertanko.com/Members-Information/benchmark/Optimum-speed-calvulator/ http://www.intertanko.com/Members-Information/benchmark/Opti...
lancewiggs 13y ago
One of Bill Gates' recommended books (1) was a great read: "Prime Movers of Globalization: The History and Impact of Diesel Engines and Gas Turbines" (2) The very large and very slow rotating diesel engines used to power ships are incredibly efficient. Oil tankers run very slowly, gas a little faster, then bulk carriers, container ships (time value of those containers is higher than commodity oil and bulk, so they move) and fastest and least efficient of all are cruise ships. The size of some of those engines is fantastic. It's really nerdy and awesome. (1) http://www.thegatesnotes.com/Books/Personal/Prime-Movers-of-Globalization http://www.thegatesnotes.com/Books/Personal/Prime-Movers-of-... (2) http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Movers-Globalization-History-Turbines-ebook/dp/B005FL8HOK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393404978&sr=8-1&keywords=prime+movers+of+globalization+the+history+and+impact+of+diesel+engines+and+gas+turbines http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Movers-Globalization-History-Tur...
- qq66 13y ago
  Another great book about international shipping is "The Box," a history of containerization.