Validation of Strength Characteristics in the Modernization of a River Ship

The article examines the issue related to the strength of the ship after its modernization. The modernization involves a change in its purpose from a tanker to a bulk cargo ship intended to navigate on rivers in a third navigation area. Models of the midship sections of both types of ships were developed in the MARS Inland software to validate the quality characteristics. In the initial construction of the ship, it lacks a double bottom. During the modernization phase, a double bottom structure is installed and the height of the frames along the bottom is increased. Constructive changes have also been made to the main deck area, including the addition of hatch comings after removing a significant portion of it, allowing for unrestricted cargo-handling activities. The analysis conducted revealed that the change in resistance moments relative to the deck and the bottom of the ship is insignificant during the modernization, despite the fact that the conversion is carried out when the ship is afloat. Furthermore, the analysis shows that this type of modernization can be carried out without issues in terms of the ship's hull strength.