Modelling high speed freight for shallow water
An EC-funded project, PACSCAT has created a novel vessel design for high-speed freight transport along inland waterways. The new design provides environmental benefits of high efficiency and low wash, which allows speed to potentially be doubled. In order to distinguish the key features of PACSCAT and to provide research information, a variable geometry research model was constructed and tested in a shallow water-towing tank. Following this, the features were recorded using a computer program which was able to predict the performance of specific design of PACSCAT vessels, including wake wash profiles. The final design of a river freighter vessel was then confirmed by additional tank tests on a large model. It was also operated with propulsors and in a freely manoeuvring mode. A detailed design and performance assessment for a vessel suitable for deployment in the Rhine and Danube freight logistics market has been proposed.
