Page 12 - Introduction to Naval Architecture

1 Introduction

SHIPS

Ships are a vital element in the modern world. They still carry some 95
per cent of trade. In 1994 there were more than 80 000 ships each with
a gross tonnage of 100 or more, representing a gross tonnage of over
450 million in total. Although aircraft have displaced the transatlantic
liners, ships still carry large numbers of people on pleasure cruises and
on the multiplicity of ferries operating in all areas of the globe. Ships,
and other marine structures, are needed to exploit the riches of the
deep.
Although one of the oldest forms of transport, ships, their
equipment and their function, are subject to constant evolution.
Changes are driven by changing patterns of world trade, by social
pressures, by technological improvements in materials, construction
techniques and control systems, and by pressure of economics. As an
example, technology now provides the ability to build much larger,
faster, ships and these are adopted to gain the economic advantages
those features can confer.

NAVAL ARCHITECTURE
Naval architecture is a fascinating and demanding discipline. It is
fascinating because of the variety of floating structures and the many
compromises necessary to achieve the most effective product. It is
demanding because a ship is a very large capital investment and
because of the need to protect the people on board and the marine
environment.
One has only to visit a busy port to appreciate the variety of forms a
ship may take. This variation is due to the different demands placed on
them and the conditions under which they operate. Thus there are
fishing vessels ranging from the small local boat operating by day, to the
ocean going ships with facilities to deep freeze their catches. There are
vessels to harvest the other riches of the deep - for exploitation of
l