A Fourier-based model for dynamic ship–ship interactions during overtaking in deep and shallow waters

Marine traffic is a critical component of the global economy, with over 90% of the world’s trade transported by sea and inland waterways. The increasing demand for maritime transportation has led to a rise in the number of ships navigating the world’s oceans and waterways, resulting in a growing number of collisions and accidents. Ship–ship interactions, particularly during overtaking maneuvers, are a common cause of accidents, as the hydrodynamic forces and moments acting on the ships can lead to significant maneuvering difficulties. Accurate prediction of these interaction forces and moments is essential for optimizing maritime traffic and ensuring safe navigation. In this paper, we present a Fourier-based model for accurate prediction of the dynamic interaction forces and moments during overtaking maneuvers in deep and shallow waters. This model is developed based on high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and validated against experimental model test data. The model is applied to three different ship types: a theoretical Wigley hull, a Panamax container ship, and an inland waterway ship. The results demonstrate that our model accurately captures the dynamic behavior of the interaction forces and moments, especially on the inland waterway ship, which are characterized by multiple peaks and troughs. To evaluate the model’s performance, we conducted sensitivity analyses on key parameters, such as the Fourier series order, fundamental frequency, and Gaussian damping factors. Moreover, we extensively examined the effects of ship speeds, lateral distances, and water depths on the dynamic interaction forces and moments. With these comprehensive evaluations, our Fourier-based model provides an accurate and reliable tool for predicting ship–ship interactions during overtaking maneuvers in deep and shallow waters.