Parametric CFD-FEA Study on the Aerodynamic and Structural Performance of NaviScreen for Wind Resistance Reduction in Medium-Sized Commercial Ships

Meeting the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2050 targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions requires cost-effective solutions that minimize wind resistance without compromising safety, particularly for medium-sized multipurpose vessels (MPVs), which have been underrepresented in prior research. This study numerically evaluates 20 bow-mounted NaviScreen configurations using a coupled high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA) approach. Key design variables—including contact angle (35–50°), lower-edge height (1.2–2.0 m), and horn position (3.2–5.3 m)—were systematically varied. The sloped Type-15 shield reduced aerodynamic resistance by 17.1% in headwinds and 24.5% at a 30° yaw, lowering total hull resistance by up to 8.9%. Nonlinear FEA under combined dead weight, wind loads, and Korean Register (KR) green-water pressure revealed local buckling risks, which were mitigated by adding carling stiffeners and increasing plate thickness from 6 mm to 8 mm. The reinforced design satisfied KR yield limits, ABS buckling factors (>1.0), and NORSOK displacement criteria (L/100), confirming structural robustness. This dual-framework approach demonstrates the viability of NaviScreens as passive aerodynamic devices that enhance fuel efficiency and reduce GHG emissions, aligning with global efforts to address climate change by targeting not only CO2 but also other harmful emissions (e.g., NOx, SOx) regulated under MARPOL. The study delivers a validated CFD-FEA workflow to optimize performance and safety, offering shipbuilders a scalable solution for MPVs and related vessel classes to meet IMO’s GHG reduction goals.