WO2008118082A1 - A method of manufacturing a hull of a ship and a hull manufactured in accordance with the method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates primarily to a method for constructing, within a dry dock arrangement (2), from more or less prefabricated ship-related units (11, 12) a floatable ships hull construction ('A'), which includes at least a first hull portion (11 ), which surrounds the vessel engine space (13) and a second hull portion (12), which surrounds a cargo space. The invention is based on piaciπg said first hull portion (11 ) in said dock arrangement (2), that has been partly emptied of water, to rest on its supportive elements (2b') and then filling the dock arrangement (2) with water to an extent such that the second hull portion (12) can be floated and displaced into the dry dock arrangement (2) towards and in co action (111, 112) with the first hull portion (11); wherein the dock arrangement (2) is further emptied of water. A peripheral edge surface (111 ) of the first hull portion (11 ), facing towards the forward or bow part of the ships hull, and a peripheral edge surface (112) of the second hull portion (12), facing towards the stern part of the ships hull ('A') is joined together by the aid of a weld (113, 114) to create a floatable ships hull construction ('A'), wherewith the dry dock arrangement (2) is filled with water such that the floatable ships hull construction will float within the dock arrangement (2) as a semi-fabricated vessel. The present invention is based primarily upon that the first hull portion (11 ) is exposing a displacement and/or deep draught exceeding that of the second hull portion (12).

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION:

A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A HULL OF A SHIP AND A HULL MANUFAC- TURED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE METHOD.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a method of manufacturing a hull for a ship and covers also a hulf thus manufactured according to the method, by using a dry dock arrangement within a ship building yard or a plant.

Said dry dock arrangement is in the following description illustrated as a floatable dry dock arrangement, with different deep draughts in relation to its water content. Said water content is pumped in to cause a larger deep draught and pumped out to cause a smalier or shallowed deep draught.

The shipyard plant is adapted to form one or more, more or less completed prefabricated, ship related hull constructions or units and/or a construction of ship related hull units, by using said floating dry dock arrangement, said hull units are each in the form of a semi-manufactured ships hull portions, when this semi-manufacture is to be fulfilled in or completed in different degrees, depending upon relevant and actual circumstances.

The semi-fabricated or -manufactured ships hull shall be completed within the dry dock arrangement to such an degree that it provides fora self floating ships hull construction, so as to be able to be moved, such as towed out, from a water-filled dry dock arrangement and to leave said partly water-filled dry dock into a body of water or sea, adjacent to the ship building yard.

In this regard it is proposed, in accordance with the present invention, that there is used, at least one of a "first" hull portion, which is constructed and formed to surround or carry at ieast one engine room or space, with or without a motor or motors installed.

The present invention is further based upon the use of at least one "second" hull portion, which is constructed and formed to surround a ships hoid or cargo supporting room or space.

The used dry dock arrangement is equipped with, visually exposed in a water emptied state, longitudinally orientated bottom related discrete hull supports, in the form of supportive elements, distributed along the bottom section of the dock arrangement and is adapted to support two or more floatable hull portions, when the dry dock arrangement is dried.

These bottom related supports are each in the form of a pallet-like supportive ele- ment, adapted to support the hull portions in an horizontally aligned position, as these hull portions are permanently joined together in an end-to-end relation, by using common welding processes used for welding steel plates together.

The present invention also includes a semi-fabricated ships hull construction, which is produced in accordance with the method, and which is further supplemented or completed, adjacent said dry dock arrangement, at a so-called equipment quay.

At this supplemental quay the completed ships hull construction, within said dry dock arrangement, is further supplemented with or completed with equipments, requisite piping and wiring, components etc., preferably also readily applied prefabricated complete or semi-fabricated components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Methods, arrangements and constructions, related to the aforesaid technical field and having a function and a nature that fulfil the requirements of constructing a hull of a ship from a number of hull portions or sections, are known in several different forms.

By way of a first example, in the technical background and the technical field to which the present invention relates, it can be mentioned a method of compiling and constructing, within a dry dock arrangement, from more or less prefabricated ship-related units, a floatable and therein completed semi-fabricated ships hull construction.

It is also known to produce more or less completed ships, by using different assembly systems, by utilizing, to a greatest possible extent, measures that enable a production to be successively simplified and made less expensive, particularly in enabling the time duration (slots of time or slot-time), normally required in the use of a dry dock arrangement, to be shortened.

By a "dry dock arrangement" is meant an arrangement, in which certain working steps and procedures in the construction of a ships hull are intended to be preformed, for the construction of a floatable ships hull, which, when water is delivered into the dry dock arrangement, the formed ships hull is able to float and to be moved, such as pulled or pushed, out of the dry dock arrangement into a body of water area and/or to an adjacent oriented equipment quay, either under its own engine speed or with the aid of a tug.

The use of prefabricated modules for the individual units and the functions of a complete cargo vessel have been driven partially to their uttermost limits in the spirit of rati onality, as have also methods and arrangements for constructing the actual hull of a ship.

For example there has been proposed the use of different modules for dwellings, engine designs, the command bridges of seagoing vessels and the iike, where these modules are normally given dimensions and weights, which enable them to be lifted and manoeuvred with the aid of different crane arrangements available.

Efforts have also been made to enable the production of a hull of a vessel and/or the shape of the hull to be rationalized, wherewith, among other things, efforts have been concentrated on automating the design and/or the curvature of the individual metal steel plates of the hull shape, so that the peripheral edges of said plates can be mutually connected and readiiy welded together, in an end-to-end relation, so as to form the desired hull shape.

A hull cannot readily be constructed from a number of individual prefabricated small units that shall be capable of being co-ordinated and welded together, particularly with regard to the construction of large cargo vessels, and more particularly to vehicle carrying cargo vessels.

With regard to the measures and steps, associated with the present invention, it can be mentioned that it is known, in the application of pleasure boats, to encase engine equipment within a cassette so as to reduce a direct propagation of the engine sound to the hull of the boat.

A prior art, related to a method of producing a large cargo vessel within a dry dock arrangement using prefabricated ship-related units in the form of hull sections and in an attempt to reduce the required "slot-time" (the continuous time duration reserved for the construction of the vessel within the dry dockarrangement), is illustrated in and described in the International Patent Application Serial Number WO 2004/037 637 This patent publication discloses a method, in order to reduce the "slot-time" within a dry dock arrangement when producing heavy vessels or ships, especially ships over 40 000 tons, and the method is claimed to offering shorter slot-times within the dry dock arrangement than that previously achieved.

This patent publication is concentrated to and relates to the construction of a specific vessel or boat construction, namely a FPDSO-vessel (Floating, Production, Drilling, Storage and Offloading Sections) claiming the use of a minimum amount of time within a very large dry dock plant or arrangement.

In order to minimize the slot-time it is here suggested to have three separate and fully equipped hull sections, each with a deep draught, based upon a full loaded and fully equipped hull section and each hull section has been allotted the same deep draught as the other.

The complete ship and its hull is produced from three different sections, each aligned with each other along the bottom section of the dry dock arrangement and welded together by a common process technique.

The method here suggested is based upon the construction of at least a very large hydrocarbon production vessel (10), of at least 40 000 tons of steel weight, which has a hull and equipment mounted onto and inside the hull.

This hull (12) is constructed from a plurality of hull sections, including a bow section (20), a stern section (22) and a midship section (24), arranged in between the bow and stern sections (20, 22).

Further one of these sections is to expose a riser coupling (76), for connecting to a riser, extending towards a seafloor reservoir (74). Said three hull sections are each constructed by fastening together large steel plate sections.

This method is comprising the complete construction of said midship hull section (24) in a first fabrication yard (48) and the complete construction of said bow (20) and a complete construction of said stern end sections in at least a second fabrication yard (22).

It is here suggested the floating and moving along a body of water, at least one of said fully completed hull section to a single assembly dry dock (46) and fastening said plurality of completed hull sections together in tandem within said assembly dry dock arrangement.

Especially in Figure 3 in said patent publication it is illustrated a simplified plan view of a large dry dock arrangement, into which all completed and completely equipped three ship-related units, hull sections (as illustrated in Figure 2 therein) are being moved into a, partly with water filled, dry dock arrangement, and when all three sections (20, 24, 22) are within said dry dock arrangement the entry port or lock is closed and the enclosed water content is pumped out in order to raise the floating dry dock arrangement in relation to the surrounding body of water and at the same time the three sections are levelling downwards to an extent where the three sections are simultaneously all resting upon their bottom related supports or pallet-like supportive elements, for welding the sections together in an end-to-end orientation, at illustrated weld lines (14, 16, Figure 1).

Figure 3 also illustrates a simplified plan view of 3 smaller dry dock, with a hull mid- skip section, shown in phantom lines therein. Each of the hull sections (20, 24, 22) is constructed seaworthy, to be towed or shipped to the assembiy dry dock arrangement.

Within said dry dock arrangement the bow and stern ends (30, 32) of the midship hull section (24) are each sealed by steel plates (38) welded across the width and height of the ends of the hull section, to make the midship hull section (24) watertight.

It is here to be expected, and clearly supported by the Figure 2 illustration, that for each of these hull sections they have been constructed with the same deep draught or height to its water line, and that they may simultaneously descend or downwardly by water pumped out to rest towards its related pallet-like supportive elements.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

When considering the technical deliberations that are required by a person skilled in this particular technical field in order to provide a solution to one or more technical problems that may be encountered it is necessary initially to realize that the measures and/or the sequence of measures required to this end may well result in the following technical problems, becoming relevant when applying the present invention.

With regard to the earlier standpoint of techniques, as described above, it will therefore be seen that a technical problem resides in realizing the significance of the advantages afforded by and/or the technical measures and deliberations that will be required in constructing, within a dry dock arrangement, from more or less prefabricated and more or less completed ship-reiated and hull portions, a large floatable semi-fabricated ships hull construction, while affording a situation possible to using a still shortened production time or slot-time within said dry dock arrangement than that expressed in the above cited and mentioned International Patent Publication. A technical probiem also resides in realizing the significance of, the advantages afforded by and/or the technical measures and deliberations that will be required in permitting the possibilities, afforded by a dry dock arrangement, to support, on said pallet-like supportive elements, a first hull portion, in the form of a stern or aft hull portion, as a more or less prefabricated, not completely constructed, hull portion, within said dry dock arrangement, when sufficient free slot-time is available.

A technical problem also resides in realizing the significance of, the advantages afforded by and/or the technical measures and deliberations that will be required in permitting the possibilities, afforded by the dry dock arrangement, to cause a towing along a body of water of a partly or a fully completed prefabricated first hull portion, produced in an other (and usually smaller) ship yard plant, into said dry dock arrangement, as a single hull portion or unit and to descend or levelling downwardly, during a lifting dry docking procedure, said first huif portion to rest onto its related or allotted pallet-like supportive elements.

A technical problem also resides in realizing the significance of, the advantages afforded by and/or the technical measures and deliberations that will be required in permitting the possibilities, afforded by the dry dock arrangement, to have the motor equipment, (with running and steering facilities) installed into the first hull portion.

A technical probiem also resides in realizing the significance of, the advantages afforded by and/or the technical measures and deliberations that will be required in permitting the possibilities afforded by the dry dock arrangement, to tow said first hull portion on a body of water into its place within said dry dock arrangement floating on water and than, by closing the opening of the dry dock arrangement, descending or levelling downwardly this first hull section towards and to rest onto its relevant pallet- like supportive elements by evacuation or pumping out a selected content of water and than to tow said second hull portion, on the body of water, into its place, adjacent said first hull portion and descend or levelling downwardly this second hull portion towards and to rest onto its relevant pallet-like supportive elements in an end-to-end relation. A technical problem also resides in realizing the significance of, the advantages afforded by and/or the technical measures and deliberations that will be required in permitting the possibilities, afforded by the dry dock arrangement, to have the first hull portion to expose a larger displacement and/or deep draught than that of the second hull portion, so that said second hull portion is floatable on the body of water, within said dry dock arrangement, while the first hull portion is supported by its allotted pallet-like supportive elements.

A technical problem also resides in realizing the significance of, the advantages afforded by and/or the technical measures and deliberations that will be required in permitting the possibilities, afforded by the dry dock arrangement, to have said first hull portion exposing a larger displacement and/or deep draught than that of a second hull portion, to have said second hull portion exposing a still larger displacement and/ or deep draught that that of a third hull portion and so on, so that said third hull portion is floatable on the body of water while said first hull portion and said second hull portion are both supported by their allotted pallet-like supportive elements.

A technical problem also resides in realizing the significance of, the advantages afforded by and/or the technical measures and deliberations that will be required in permitting the possibilities, afforded by the dry dock arrangement, in introducing and utilizing prefabricated hull portions or units in order to be successively subject to further construction and to complete a stern part of the ships hull portion, with the aid of cranes and the like, and, when the construction of the stern part is in its constructive development completed, to enable a much larger prefabricated hull portion of the vessel to pass floating into the dry dock arrangement and into co-action with and registration with the partly constructed stern-related hull portion of the vessel.

A technical problem also resides in realizing the significance of, the advantages afforded by and/or the technical measures and deliberations that will be required in considerably reducing the production time or slot-time of the semi-fabricated hull portion in the dry dock arrangement used, especially if the time-slot within the dry dock is to be reduced to the towing of the first hull portion and to the following towing of said second hull portion in tandem into the dry dock arrangement, descending or levelling downwardly said two portions to rest onto their relevant pallet-like supportive elements in a time wise sequence, the weiding time required solely to fastened said first hull portion to said second hull portion, to elevate or levelling downwardly said completed ship hull construction by introducing water into the dry dock arrangement and to move, such as towing this completed ships hull construction out of said dry dock arrangement.

Another technical problem resides in the significance of realizing the advantages afforded by and/or the technical measures and the deliberations for enabling the possibilities of the dry dock arrangement to be used in producing and constructing, with the aid of a succession of fabricated units, as a stern part or portion or a part of the stern portion of the ships hull portion, for instance with the aid of cranes and the like, a completed pre-fabricated second hull portion which is able to pass into the dry dock arrangement and into and end-to-end co-action with and in registration with the first hull portion construction as a stern-related hull portion of the vessel, constructed in the dry dock arrangement.

A technical problem also resides in realizing the significance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and deliberations that are required in reducing the duration of time and/or the construction time, required in the dry dock arrangement, in relation to the time required in welding together the ends of the first hull portion to the corresponding ends of the second hull portion, at least beneath a water line for the semi-fabricated ship hull construction.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to realize the significance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical deliberations required in enabling the second hull portion, in the form as a cargo space, as a space for automobiles or similar objects, surrounded by the periphery of the second hull portion, to be towed into the dry dock arrangement at the time at which construction of the first hull portion is more or less completed. Another problem resides in realizing the significance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and deliberations required in enabling the required time, required in laying the requisite electric cables and pipes between a forward oriented and bow related command bridge and an engine room, oriented at the stern, to be simplified and shortened, while ensuring that the electric cables and pipes are properly positioned and installed,

A further technical problem resides in realizing the significance of, the advantages afforded by and/or the technical deliberations required in respect of an inventive method in allowing at least a first hull portion, that is adapted to surround the engine room or space of the vessel, and a second hull portion, that is adapted to surround the cargo space of the vessel, to be utilized, therewith enabling the inclusion of one or more prefabricated modules, that has or have one or more decks for cabins and like facilities.

A technical problem also resides in realizing the significance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and deliberations required for considerably shortening the time or time-slot required in fitting-out and/or constructing the vessel in the dry dock arrangement in respect of merely carrying out a welding operation in order to join its respective stern and bow or cargo supporting parts together, at least beneath a water-line of the, in the dry dock arrangement, completed semi-fabricated hull construction of the vessel.

A technical problem also resides in realizing the significance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical measures and deliberations required in producing the peripheral part of the vessel that surrounds the cargo space or at a considerable water distance from the dry dock arrangement and allowing the thus produces hull part or portion to be towed to the dry dock arrangement at a time when the first hull part or portion has been readily constructed. Another technical problem resides in the ability to realize the significance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical deliberations that are required within the framework of the inventive method, which will enable the provision, between said prefabricated modules and the command bridge, of a tunnel, which rests against the second hull portion and its deck and/or an upper covering and to enable a combination of electrical cables, pipes, and so on to extend through said tunnel.

A technical problem also resides in the significance of, the benefits afforded by and/ or the technical deliberations that are required in enabling at least a first hull portion, that surrounds the engine space or room of the vessel, and a second hull part or portion, that surrounds the cargo space of the vessel, to be partly constructed, while using said dry dock arrangement as a support for said both hull portions.

A technical problem also resides in the significance of, the benefits afforded by and/ or the technical deliberations that are required in enabling at least a first hull portion supported by said dry dock arrangement to be constructed or placed as a unit, that surrounds the stern-related hull portion of a first engine space or a sternward sub construction, wherein the dry dock arrangement is supplied with water to an extent such that said second hull portion, related to a forward sub construction, can be floated into the dry dock arrangement towards and into co-action with said first hull portion to such a degree that said second hull portion or forward sub structure, related to the sub structure belonging to the second hull portion, can be floated into the dry dock arrangement and into "registration" with the first hull portion relative to the second hull portion or vice versa; wherein a peripheral edge surface, that faces towards the most forward portion of the peripheral edge surface, shall at least be located beneath an allocated water line for the thus constructed ships hull construction as a semi manufactured, with respect to the semi fabricated waterline of the thus produced ships hull construction, can be displaced and moved completely out of and away from the dry dock arrangement, wherein the dry dock arrangement can be prepared for a further production sequence. Another technical problem resides in realizing the significance of, and the benefits afforded by and/or the technical deliberations that will be required in providing an inventive method for a stern related hull portion which surrounds the first engine space while the hull portion is supported by a dry dock arrangement so as to enable one or more prefabricated modules, such as one comprising one or more decks for living quarters.

A technical problem also resides in realizing the significance, the advantages associated with and/or the technical deliberations that will be required within the confines of an inventive method of enabling a prefabricated command bridge structure to be lifted up, towards and levelling downwardly on to the bow related deck section of the second hull portion, adjacent to the most forward or bow part of said deck section.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to realize the significance of, the advantages afforded by and/or the technical deliberations that are required to allow the inventive method to include a more or less covered entry passage through a tunnel, such as to facilitate the work of the workman involved.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to realize the significance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical deliberations that are required within an inventive method in order to allow the tunnel to rest against and to be securely mounted onto the deck of the second hull portion.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to realize the significance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical deliberations that are required within the framework of the inventive method in allowing a cargo space, that includes a system, which generates a ventilating forced airflow, to be adapted to allow the passage of air through the cargo space, essentially from the most forward or bow part of the second hull portion to its most sternward or aft portion. Another technical problem resides in the ability to realize the significance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical deliberations that are required within the framework of an inventive method in adapting a thus generated airflow to pass through the cargo space to the free airspace through the medium of passageways, disposed between the aft or stern part of the second hυii portion and the forward parts or subparts of the modules related to said first hull portion.

Another technical problem resides in the realizing the significance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical deliberations that are required within the framework of an inventive method that will enable a vertical space to be provided between the first hull portion and the second hull portion above a water line, such as a space on each respective side of the side-surfaces of the vessels hull.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to realize the significance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical deliberations that are required within the framework of an inventive method to allow the orientation of and the coordination of the edge lines of the first stern related hull portion to be chosen to between 10 to 35% of the total length of the hull, such as from 15 to 25% thereof.

Another technical problem resides in the ability to realize the significance of, the advantages associated with and/or the technical deliberations that are required within the inventive method in realizing the special features in the semi-manufacture process of a ships hull (or in the manufacture of a complete ships hull), in accordance with a ships hull construction, to which the succeeding patent claims, related to a method, are directed.

SOLUTION

The present invention is based upon a method of constructing, within a dry dock arrangement, from two or more prefabricated ship-related units or hull portions, a floatable however semi-completed ships hull construction. Said semi-completed ships hull construction includes at least one, aft related, first hull portion, that is adapted to surround and support an engine room and its engine or engines, of a completed ships hull construction, and a second hull portion, that is adapted to surround and form a cargo space, of the completed ships hull construction.

While using said dry dock arrangement to support said first and second hull portions as separated units and welding these two portions together to form said completed ships hull construction, said method is based upon the following steps; "a" partly filling said dry dock arrangement with a body of water and moving, such as by a towing process, said first hull portion in a floating state, in the form of a stern or aft portion, into said dock arrangement, "b" moving, such as by a towing process, said second hull portion in a floating state, in the form of a bow portion, into said dock arrangement, "c" descending or lowering said first and second portions, by evacuation or pumping out a quantity of water from the dry dock arrangement, towards pallet-like supportive elements to rest firmly on said elements, "d" welding said first and second hull portions to each other in an end-to-end relation, "e" partly filling or pumping into said dry dock arrangement a quantity of water, and "f" moving said completed ships hull construction out of said dry dock arrangement in a floating state.

The present invention suggests, in order to solve one or more of the above mentioned technical problems, and to possibility achieve a still shorter slot-time within the dry dock arrangement as suggested by the above mentioned International Patent Publication, that said first hull portion is to be moved, as a separate unit, into said dry dock arrangement and descends or lowers down towards its supportive elements and supports by said elements in that position by evacuating water from the dry dock arrangement.

Said second hull portion is than moved, as a separated unit, supported by the water content, into said dry dock arrangement and descends or lowers down towards its supportive elements and supports by said elements in that position by further evacuating water from the dry dock arrangement, and align these two hull portions in an end-to-end relation for welding these ends together by a proper and adapted welding process.

According to the present invention it is suggested that the first hull portion is dimensioned with a displacement and/or a deep draught exceeding the displacement and/ or deep draught related to the second hull portion.

The present invention also suggests that into said first hull portion, supported by said supportive elements, is entered units, constructions, motor equipments or the like.

It is further suggested that the first hull portion is to be formed and constructed as a unit, supported by said supportive elements inside said dry dock arrangement.

It is especially suggested that said first hull portion is to expose a higher displacement and/or deep draught that that of a second hull portion, so the two portions are floating at different water levels and when using a third hull portion, the second hull portion is to expose a higher displacement and/or deep draught that that of said third hull portion and so on.

It is further suggested that a difference between the selected displacement and/or the deep draught values may be small and may fall within the area of between 1 ,02 to 1 ,05.

The present invention also discloses a semi-completed ships hull construction.

This ships hull construction discloses a first prefabricated hull portion, that surrounds an engine space or room, exposing a first displacement and/or deep draught, that is connected, with the aid of a vertical, or at least generally vertical connecting line and/ or an edge line, with a second prefabricated hull portion, that surrounds a cargo space, exposing a second displacement and/or deep draught, where said first displacement and/or draught is chosen larger than that of the second displacement and/or draught. Further it is suggested that a sound insulation or silence material may be mounted to or covering the engine space surrounded by the first hull portion and that to said first hull portion is applied, as one or more prefabricated modules, one or more flaws, living quarters, and galleries, working rooms, office spaces and the like.

A prefabricated, fully or compieteiy structured or partially structured, command bridge is supported by the second hull portion on its deck and is secured to the most forward or bow part of said deck.

Prefabricated modules and said command bridge rest on the deck and/or an upper covering on the deck of the second hull portion and in that there extends through and/or along said upper covering a tunnel, which is adapted to compute completely or partially protected electric cables, pipes, etc. that extend there through.

There extends through the tunnel a fully or partially covered walkway, intended to a provide fire and/or weather protection for crewmembers and other persons.

The tunnel is adapted to rest against and to be secured to the deck of the second hull portion via displayed discrete coupling means.

A cargo space includes means related to a ventilating air-stream generating system, adapted to allow a forced airflow to pass through the interior of the cargo space from the most forward or bow part of the second hull portion to its rearward or aft part, via additional compressors.

The generated forced airflow is caused to pass from the cargo space to a free airspace with the aid of passageways, orientated between the most sternward part of the second hull portion and an adjacent most forward subpart of the modules.

A first vertical gap is provided between the first hull portion and the second hull portion above a chosen waterline.

A chosen orientation of the coordination of allotted edge lines, in respect of said first hull portion, is to from 10 to 35% of the total length of the ships hull. ADVANTAGES

Those benefits, that can be considered most characteristic of the present invention and the particular significant characteristic features related thereto, reside in the creation of conditions that enable a floatable semi-fabricated ships hull construction to be formed and constructed from more or less prefabricated huli-reiated units, in a dry dock arrangement.

According to the invention there is constructed at least one stern related first hull portion, which surrounds the stern-related hull part of the ships engine space, and a bow related second hull section, which surrounds the cargo space of the vessel, these hull or vessel portions being mutually coordinated with the aid of the dry dock arrangement as a means of supporting both hull portions during their mutual connection.

The method of constructing, within a dry dock arrangement, from one or more prefabricated ship-related units or hull portions, a floatable completed ships hull construction, where said completed ships hull construction includes at least one, aft related, first hull portion, that is adapted to surround and support an engine room and its engine or engines of a completed ships hull construction, and a second hull portion, that is adapted to surround and form a cargo space of the completed ships hull construction, while using said dry dock arrangement to support said first and second hull portions

Said method is based upon the following steps; "a" filling said dry dock arrangement with water and moving, such as by towing, said first hull portion in a floating state, in the form of a stern portion, into said dock arrangement, "b" moving, such as by a towing process, said second huli portion in a floating state, in the form of a bow portion, into said dock arrangement, "c" descending or lowering said first and second portions, by evacuating water from the dry dock arrangement, towards pallet-like supportive elements to rest on said elements, "d" welding said first and second hull portions to each other in an end-to-end relation, "e" filling said dock arrangement with water in such an extent that the two huil portions are floating, and "f" moving said completed ships hull construction out of said dry dock arrangement in a floating state.

The principal features related to the present invention is concentrated towards the features, that said first hud portion is to be moved into (or constructed within) said dry dock arrangement and descends down towards its supportive elements and supports by said elements in that position, that said second hull portion is moved into said dry dock arrangement and descends down towards its supportive elements and supports by said elements in that position, whereby the two hull portions are welded together in an end-to-end relation to form a completed ships hull construction within said dry dock arrangement, and the attempt and ambition to reduce the slot-time during which the dry dock arrangement is occupied with the final construction or to adopt the available slot-time with construction efforts.

The present invention is based upon the concept that the slot-time within the dry dock arrangement is to be minimized by distribute large construction work outside the dry dock arrangement and use the dry dock arrangement solely or at least solely by fastening two, or more, huli portions end-to-end by a welding process, and by dimensioning the hull portions with successively lesser displacement and/or deep draught, for successively supporting the hull portions in a tandem sequence by its supportive elements during a stepwise evacuation of the water content within said dry dock arrangement.

The present invention also covers a floatable completed ships hull construction within said dry dock arrangement and a completed ship, built on such a ships huil construction.

The primary characteristic features of a method, according to the present invention are set forth in the characterizing clause of the following patent claim 1, while a ships hull, constructed in accordance with the present invention and based upon the method, is defined by the characterizing clause of the succeeding patent claim 16.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A previously known ship yard plant, including a dry dock arrangement and at present preferred method of enabling a semi fabricated ships hull construction to be manufactured within a dry dock arrangement, and a completed ships hull construction, that has been constructed so as to include the characteristic method features significant to the present invention, will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which;

Figure 1 illustrates an earlier known plant or a dry dock yard for a production of a cargo vessel, partly as a semi manufactured vessel or simply a huii construction in the dry dock arrangement and partly as a more completed semi-fabricated vessel or ship in an equipment quay,

Figure 2 is a side view of a completed ships hull construction, supported by a dry dock arrangement, significant to the construction phases or steps of a semi-fabricated ships hull construction or shape, wherein the dry dock arrangement is shown with one wall section deleted to expose the ships hull construction, wherewith the hull shape has been constructed from a number of two prefabricated hull portions, wherewith a first aft hull portion, related to the stern of the vessel or to a stem located substructure, and a second forward or bow hull portion or forward substructure, of the prefabricated units are mutually coordinated and constructed, in accordance with the directives related to the invention,

Figure 3 is a somewhat enlarged view of the most forward or bow part of a second hull portion or shape, showing its front buib,

Figure 4 is a slightly enlarged view showing a more forward Iy orientated command bridge, supported by said second hull portion,

Figure 5 shows an arrangement of exhaust fans or blows for a cargo space ventilating arrangement or system, Figure 6 is a slightly enlarged view, in relation to figure 2, of the stern or aft part of the first ships hull portion and clarifies the coordination of the welding surfaces of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a side and more diagrammatic view of the first hull portion surrounding the engine space of the vessel or hull,

Figure 8 is a more diagrammatic side view of the cargo space of the vessel surrounded by said second hull portion and wherein the forced airflow, from the ventilating arrangement or system, is illustrated,

Figure 9 is a sectioned view of a tunnel, which is securely fixed to a deck of the second hull portion, and

Figure 10 is showing, in three different illustrations, a sequence of mowing a first hull portion into its location within the dry dock arrangement and its support on its related supportive elements and of moving, in a tandem orientation, a second hull portion into its location within the dry dock arrangement and its support on its related supportive elements, said second hull portion is exposing a lesser displacement or deep draught than that of said first hull portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART AS DISCLOSED IN THE INTERNATIONAL PATENT PUBLICATION SERIAL NUMBER WO 2004/037 637 A1.

This patent publication discloses a method of constructing, within a dry dock arrangement, from three prefabricated ship-related units or hull sections, a floatable and completed ships hull construction, said completed ships hull construction includes one, aft related, first hull section (20), a midship related, second hull section (24) and a bow related, third hull section (22).

The aft section (20) is adapted to surround and support an engine room and its engine or engines of a completed ships hull construction, while using said dry dock arrangement to support said first, second and third hull sections, whereby said method is based upon the following steps; "a" filling said dry dock arrangement with water, exposing a predetermined water level, and moving, such as by towing, said first hull section in a floating state into said dock arrangement, "b" moving, along said water level, such as by a towing process, said second and said third hull portions in a floating state and in tandem, in the form of a midship portion and a bow section, into said dry dock arrangement, "c" descending or lowering said first, second and third sections, by evacuation water from the dry dock arrangement, towards its relevant and allotted pallet-like supportive elements, to rest on each of said elements, "d" welding said first, second and third hull sections to each other in an end-to-end relation aiong each of two welding lines, "e" filling said dry dock arrangement with water, exposing a predetermined water level, "f" moving along said water level, such as by a towing process or system, said completed ships huii construction out of said dry dock arrangement in a floating state.

It is here to be noted that each of the three hull sections is to be more or less fully equipped and is formed with cofferdams (such as shown at 40 and 42 in Figure 2) as the hull sections are exposing a high displacement and/or deep draught.

it is further suggested that most equipment on the vessel is installed in topside packages. The topside packages include a complete drilling equipment set (50) in the midship hull section (24). The bow hull section (20) contains five crude oil storage tanks (81 - 85).

Topside modules (96) are mounted on the top of the bow huii section (20).

The stern hull section (22) includes a plurality of crude oil storage tanks (111 - 115) and a topside module (120) includes a power generating module (122).

Arranging for these hull sections to be introduced into the dry dock arrangement means the use of extremely heavy units, thus each exposing a very high displacement and/or deep draught, and difficulties when mowing each unit into its registration position towards its supportive elements.. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS AT PRESENT PREFERRED

It should be mentioned by way of introduction that there is described below an embodiment of the present invention that is preferred at present and that has significant characteristic features which are clarified in the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein the terms and terminology used have been chosen with the intention of primarily clarifying the concept of the present invention.

It will be observed, however, in this respect that the terms and expressions used shall not be considered to be limited solely to their expressed meaning but shall be understood in the meaning of each selected term that includes, in addition, all technical equivalence that functions in the same or essentially the same manner with which the same, or essentially the same, intention and/or technical effect can be achieved.

The accompanying figures 2 to 10, and its Figures 10A, 10B and 10C of the drawing thus illustrate diagrammatically and in detail not solely the present invention but also the significant features of the invention that have been concretized by the proposed embodiment of the invention described in more detail below.

The following description takes as its starting point a detailed description of the method and the method units associated with the present invention, although the description also includes the construction of a semi fabricated ships hull construction in various steps up to the completion of a manoeuvrable cargo vessel.

For example, Figure 1 illustrates an earlier known plant (A) for the production of a cargo vessel, partly as a semi-fabricated structure, in a dry dock arrangement 2, and partly as a completed or semi-fabricated structure at an equipment quay 4, as illustrated above. A method of constructing, within a dry dock arrangement 2, a floatable ships hull 10 with the aid of more or less prefabricated ship-related units, in the form of a semi-fabricated structure, including a first stem-related hull portion or stern sub construction 11 and a second hull portion or forward Iy located sub construction 12, which surrounds the cargo space 14 of the vessel, with the use of the dry dock arrangement 2 (only partly shown in figures 2 and 10 and deleted in the accompanying figures 3 to 9) as a support for both of the hull portions 11, 12.

The method is carried out by initially using the following steps.

The inventive method of constructing, within a floatable dry dock arrangement, from one or more prefabricated ship-related units or hull portions, a floatable completed ships hull construction "A", is based upon that said completed ships hull construction is to include at least one, aft related, first hull portion, that is adapted to surround and support an engine room and its engine or engines of a completed ships hull construction, and a second hull portion, that is adapted to surround and form a cargo space of the completed ships hull construction, while using said dry dock arrangement to support said first and second hull portions.

The expression of a "first hull portion" is to be interpreted as a hollow floatable hull portion, without any inner equipments, to a hull portion exposing and carrying different equipments.

The expression of a "second hull portion" is to be interpreted as a hollow floatable hull portion, without any inner equipments, to a hull portion exposing and carrying different equipments.

The expression of a "completed ships hull construction" is to be interpreted exposing two (or more) hull portions, welded together within the dry dock arrangement, and leaving the dry dock arrangement exposing hollow floatable hull portions, without any inner equipments, to a hull portions exposing and carrying different equipments. Said method is than further based upon the following steps; "a" filling said dry dock arrangement with water and moving, such as by towing, said first hull portion in a floating state, in the form of a stern or aft portion, into said dock arrangement, "b" moving, such as by a towing process, said second hull portion in a floating state, in the form of a bow exposing portion, into said dock arrangement, "c" descending or lowering said first and second portions, by evacuating water from the dry dock arrangement, towards pallet-like supportive elements to rest on said elements, "d" welding said first and second hull portions to each other in an end-to-end relation, "e" filling said dry dock arrangement with water, and "f" moving said completed ships hull construction out of said dry dock arrangement in a floating state.

The present invention is suggesting the following steps of action, namely, said first hull portion 11 is to be moved into said dry dock arrangement 2 and descends down towards its supportive elements and said first hull portion is supported by said elements in that position, that said second hull portion 12 is moved into said dry dock arrangement 2 and descends down towards its supportive elements and supports by said elements in an end-to-end relation, which means that said hull portions are to be dimensioned with different displacements or more exact different deep draught.

This is illustrated more in detail in the enclosed drawing and Figure 10 and will be describe hereinafter.

Thus the present invention makes use of a floating dry dock arrangement 2 and covers the embodiment placing said first hull part or portion 11 , surrounding the engine space 13, in said dry dock arrangement 2, preferably as a fully prefabricated unit, or alternatively by excessively while constructing the hull part or portion with the support of the dry dock arrangement 2.

It is proposed that the hull part 11 in its simplest form includes solely the engine spa whereas a more complex embodiment ailows living quarters 15 or the like to be placed over the space 13 in the form of prefabricated units.

When the hull portion 11 and its mounted engine equipment 13a and propeller 13b has a desired completed form, resting on the bottom portion 2a, via pallet-like supportive element 2a', of the dry dock arrangement 2, it is proposed, in accordance with the present invention, that water should be caused to flow into the dry dock arrangement 2 to an extent at which the second hull portion 12 will float and therewith enable it to be displaced into the dry dock arrangement 2 and into co-action with the first hull portion 11.

It is to be expected that at least said second hull portion is to be loaded with ballast and/or equipments so as to expose the minimum deep.

The second hull portion 12 may be produced at some other geographical place or site than that of the geographical position or site of the dry dock arrangement 2 and towed over a body of water to the dry dock arrangement 2.

It is an ambition, related to the present invention, that a major part of the hull portions 11 and 12 are to be more or less completed at smaller ship yards and towed towards a larger ship yard, exposing a dry dock arrangement 2, having sufficient capacity to support more than one hull portion, and that the time of arrival of these two hull portions is time wise synchronized toward the reserved time-slot.

The second hull part 12 shall be watertight and be provided with a bow portion with a bulb 12a', which extends over a waterline "L1" for an empty hull portion 12.

When the hull portion 12 has been floated on water into the dry dock arrangement 2, mentioned above, the dock shall be emptied of water so that both hull portions 11 and 12 are to rest on the bottom part 2a and their pallet-like supportive elements 2a' resp. 2a".

It Is particularly recommended that the hull portion 11 will be heavy enough and exposing such a deep draught to cause it to rest against the bottom part 2a and its supportive elements 2a' of the dry dock arrangement 2 the water level is to be high enough to enables the second hull portion 12 to be floated and towed into said dry dock arrangement 2.

A waterline "L2" for the hull portion 11 alone is also located over a wateriine "L1" relating to the hull portion 12 alone.

The hull portion 11 shall include a bow oriented bulk head 11a.

Situations may arise in which the hull portions 11 and 12 do not precisely match one another, as a result of an oblique orientation with respect to one another, so as to require lateral displacement of the hull portion 12 so as to bring the same into precise registration, by moving the second hull portion 12 in relation to the first hull portion 12, or vice versa, which may be most appropriate to carry out while the second hull portion 12 is afloat within the dry dock arrangement 2.

Means suitable to this end are known to the art.

A peripheral edge surface 111 of the first hull portion 11 that faces towards the forward or bow part of the ships hull and a peripheral edge surface 112 of the second hull portion 12 that faces towards the stern or aft part of the hull shall be watertight with respect to at least beneath the relevant waterline, with the aid of a bulk head 11a and a bulk head 12a and a weld 113, 114 for instance, therewith creating a floatable ships hull construction in the form of a semi fabricated structure, which can then be floated out as a single unit of the dry dock arrangement 2. Water shall now be delivered to the dry dock arrangement 2 to an extent with which the buoyant ships hull portions 11 , 12, welded 113 together to form a completed ships hull construction "A" will be afloat within said dock arrangement 2, therewith enabling the completed ship hull construction to be moved completely out of and away from the dock arrangement 2 and therewith leaving the dock arrangement 2 free to be used for the construction of another ships hull during another and succeeding time-slot.

The dock arrangement 2 can then be emptied of water and a new and a further first hull part portion may be placed therein as a unit, or the hull portion can be built up successively with the aid of prefabricated modules. One or more floors that include prefabricated modules intended for living quarters and the like can be of prefabricated modules, with one or more floors onto the hull portion surrounding the first engine space can be provided when the first hull portion, is supported by a dry dock bottom part by supportive element 2a'.

The completed ships hull construction "A" or 11 , 12, coordinated within the dry dock arrangement 2, or at said equipment quay 4, can be supplemented in different respects with regard to a complete cargo vessel.

For example, it is possible to allow a prefabricated command bridge 16 (see figure 4) to be lifted onto or be constructed on the deck 12b of the second hull portion 12 in connection with the most forward part of the deck.

Mounted between the prefabricated modules 15 and the command bridge 16 is a tunnel 17 (see figure 2), which is comprised of several parts and which rests on the deck 12b of the second hull portion 12 and/or an upper covering, said tunnel 17 having extending therein electric cables 17a, pipes 17b, etc., as shown in figure 9. A cupboard walkway 17c for crewmembers and the like extends through and along the tunnel 17. The tunnel 17 may rest on and be secured to the deck 12b of the second hull portion 12.

It is also proposed that a cargo space 14 will include a ventilating system 18, which causes a generated forced airflow 18' to pass through the cargo space, essentially from the most forward or bow part of the second hull portion 12 to its sternward or aft part 12a thereof.

The airflow 18' generated is adapted to pass from the cargo space 14 to the free air space through channels 20 (figure 5) orientated between the most sternward part 12a of the second hull portion 12 and the forward part or parts of the modules 15.

There is formed between the first hull part 11 and the second hull part 12, in relation to a distance "a", above an illustrated waterline "L", relevant at full cargo weight, a vertical space 21 wherein orientation of the coordination of the edge surfaces 111, 112 in respect of the first hull portion are chosen at a distance "b" corresponding to 10 to 35 percent of the total length "c" of the ships hull 11 , 12, here represented as the total length of the hull portions 11 and 12.

With reference to Figure 10, and the figures illustrated by Figures 10A, 10B and 10C the method is here illustrated in different steps.

It is however to be noted that the first hull portion 11 may be more or less equipped with details, units, modules, equipments, motors, rudder, etc. before it is moved into the floating dry dock arrangement 2 or that said first hull portion 11 may be more or less equipped with details, units, modules, equipments, motors, rudder etc., during the slot-time within the dry dock arrangement 2. It is however to be noted that the second hυll portion 12 may be more or less equipped with details, units, modules, equipments, etc. before it is moved into the floating dry dock arrangement 2 or that said second hull portion 12 may be more or less equipped with details, units, modules, equipments, etc., during the slot-time within the dry dock arrangement 2.

In an ambition to reduce the slot-time within the dry dock arrangement 2 it would be desired to reduce this slot-time towards minimum, such as the time required for the welding 113, 114 process only to secure the first hull portion 11 to the second hull portion 12, during which slot-time the first and the second hull portions 11, 12 may be equipped with details, modules etc.

Thus Figure 10A is illustrating that the first hull portion 11 has a water line or deep draught "L2" in line with the water level "W" and that the second hull portion 12 has a water line or deep draught "L1" in line with the water level "W", and that said first hull portion 11 is to be moved into the dry dock arrangement 2 and in tandem is the second hull portion 12 to be moved into the dry dock arrangement 2.

When these two hull portions 11 and 12 are within said dock arrangement 2 the water within said arrangement is pumped out and said first hull portion 11 is descending down towards its supportive elements 2b' to rest firmly thereon and the first hull portion 11 is in its "registered" position.

When these two hull portions 11 and 12 are within said dock arrangement 2, and the first hull portion 11 is resting on said elements 2b', the water within said dry dock arrangement 2, is further pumped out and said second hull portion 12 is descending down towards its supportive elements 2b", to rest firmly thereon and the second hull portion 12 is brought and/or moved into a "registered" position in relation to said first hull portion 11. In Figure 10B it is illustrated that the first hull portion 11 is in its registered position within the dried dock arrangement 2 and is there subject to construction by mounting said motor, motors, rudder, etc. and that the second hull portion 12 is waiting outside the dock arrangement 2 to be moved into the dock arrangement 2 towards its registered position, both resting on the supportive elements 2a' and 2a".

Figure 10C is illustrating that a first hull portion 11 is in its registered position within the dock arrangement 2 and that the second hull portion is floating within the dock arrangement 2, towards its registered position, just above its supportive elements 2b". Figure 10C is illustrating that the first and second hull portions 11 , 12 are in an almost completed form.

The present invention thus also relates to enabling a ships hull to be constructed, preferably in accordance with the method described in the accompanying claims 1 to 15.

A significant feature of such a ships hull, either has a semi fabricated hull or a complete hull for motor vehicle cargo vessel, is that the engine space 13, surrounded by the first prefabricated hull portion or sub construction 11 , shall be joined to a cargo space, surrounded by the second prefabricated hull portion or sub construction 12 via a vertical or at least essentially vertical edge surfaces 111, 112 and connection lines or wedd 113, 114 and that the first hull portion 11 is exposing a deeper draught "L2" than that "L1" of the second hull portion 12, in order to reduce the slot-time within the dry dock arrangement 2.

Several tanks that can be used as ballast tanks may be provided with respect to the stern part of the second hull portion 12 adjacent two or beneath the waterline "L1" and adjacent said surface 113. It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the embodiment described above by way of example, and that modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept as illustrated in the accompanying claims.

it will be noted in particular that each illustrated unit and/or circuit can be combined with each other illustrated unit and/or circuit within the framework of the invention in order to achieve desired technical functions.

Claims

1. A method of constructing, within a dry dock arrangement (2), from one or more prefabricated ship-related units or hull portions (11, 12), a floatable completed ships hull construction, said completed ships hull construction includes at least one, aft related, first hull portion (11), that is adapted to surround and support at least an engine room (13) and its engine or engines, and a second hull portion (12), that is adapted to surround and form a cargo space, while using said dry dock arrangement (2) to support said first and second hull portions (11 , 12), whereby said method is based upon the following steps; "a" filling said dry dock arrangement (2) with water and moving, such as by towing, said first hull portion (11) in a floating state, and in the form of a stern portion, into said dock arrangement, "b" moving, such as by a towing process, said second hull portion (12) in a floating state, in the form of a bow or similar portion, into said dock arrangement, "c" descending said first and second portions, by evacuating water from the dry dock arrangement (2), towards pallet-like supportive elements (2b', 2b") to rest on said elements, "d" welding (113, 114) said first and second hull portions (11, 12) to each other in an end-to-end relation (111 , 112) to form a completed ships hull construction, and "e" moving said completed ships hull construction out of said dry dock arrangement in a floating state, characterized in that, said first hull portion (11) is floating and moved into said dry dock arrangement (2) and descends down towards its supportive elements (2b') and is supported by said elements in its registered position, that said second hull portion (12) is floating and moved into said dry dock arrangement (2) and descends down towards its supportive elements (2b") and is supported by said elements in an end-to-end relation with said first hull portion (11) and in its registered position and that said first hull portion (11) is exposing a deeper draught during its movement than that of said second hull portion (11).

2. A method as stated in the preamble of claim 1 , characterized in that, to said first hull portion, supported by said supportive elements, is entered units, constructions, motor equipments or the like.

3. A method as stated in the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that, the first hull portion is formed and constructed as a unit, supported by said supportive elements, inside said dry dock arrangement.

4. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, said first hull portion exposes a higher displacement that that of said second hull portion.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, the difference between the two draught and/or displacement values are falling within the area of between 1,02 to 1,05.

6. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that to the dry dock arrangement (2), delivers water to an extent at which said first hull portion floats and can thus be moved into the dry dock arrangement and into co-action with its supportive elements, emptying the dock arrangement from water and, when necessary, "registering" the first hull portion relative to a second hull portion or vice versa, wherewith a peripheral edge surface (111) of the first hull portion (11), that faces towards the forward or bow part of the ships hull, and a peripheral edge surface (112), that faces towards the stern- ward or aft part of the completed ships hull shall be watertight at least beneath a waterline, for instance with the aid of a weld (113, 114) so as therewith to provide a floatable semi-fabricated ships hull construction; wherewith water is supplied to the dry dock to an extent such as to allow a floatable ships hull construction to float within the dry dock arrangement; therewith to enable the ships hull construction, with its mutually joined hull portions, to be moved completely out of the dry dock.

7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by providing the first hull portion, that surrounds the first engine space, with prefabricated modules, one or more decks for living quarters and the like, when the first hull portion is supported by said dry dock arrangement.

8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by lifting a prefabricated command bridge onto the deck of the second hull portion in the vicinity of its most forward or bow part.

9. A method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by providing, between said prefabricated modules and the command bridge, a tunnel, which is adapted to rest against the deck of the second hull portion and/or an upper covering, intended for placing electric cables, pipes, etc. within the tunnel.

10. A method according to claim 7, 8 or 9, characterized by providing the tunnel with a covered walkway, intended for the use by crewmembers.

11. A method according to claim 7, 8, 9 or 10, characterized by resting and securing the tunnel to a deck section of the second hull portion.

12. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by providing within a cargo space, within said second hull portion, a ventilating system (18), which is adapted to generate a forced airflow (18') and which airflow is adapted to pass through the cargo space, essentially in a direction from the forwardly located part of the second hull portion (12) to its stern or aft oriented subpart.

13. A method according to any of the preceding claims, and especially claim 12, characterized by causing the forced airflow to pass from the cargo space to a free air space through the medium of channels, located between the stemward sub part of the second hull portion and the most forward sub part or sub parts of the modules.

14. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by forming a vertical space, oriented above a waterline, related to the first hull portion and the second hull portion.

15. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by orientating the coordination of opposing edge lines in respect of said first hull portion to from 10 to 35 percent of the total length of the ships hull, such as 15 to 25%.

16. A ships hull, such as a hull constructed in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims with respect to the method of manufacture, characterized in that a first prefabricated hull portion (11), that surrounds an engine space or room, is exposing a first displacement and/or deep draught, and connected, with the aid of a vertical, or at least generally vertical connecting line (113,

114) and/or edge iines (111 , 112), with a second prefabricated hull portion (12), that surrounds a cargo space, exposing a second displacement and/or deep draught, where said first displacement and/or draught is chosen larger than that of the second displacement and/or draught.

17. A ships hull according to claim 16, characterized in that a sound insulation or silence material is mounted to or covering the engine space surrounded by the first hull portion and that to said first hull portion is applied, as one or more prefabricated modules, one or more floors, living quarters, galleries, working rooms, office spaces and the like.

18. A ships hull according to claim 16, characterized by a prefabricated fully structured or partially structured command bridge is supported by the second hull portion of its deck and is secured to the most forward or bow part of said deck.

19. A ships hull according to claim 16, characterized by prefabricated modules and a command bridge rest on the deck and/or on an upper covering on the deck of the second hull portion and in that there extends through said upper covering a tunnel, which is adapted to compute completely or partially, protected electric cables, pipes, etc. that extend there through.

20. A ships hull according to claim 16, characterized in that there extends through the tunnel a fully or partially covered walkway, intended to a provide fire and/or weather protection for crewmembers and other persons.

21. A ships hull according to claim 16, characterized in that the tunnel is adapted to rest against and be secured to the deck of the second hull portion via displayed discrete coupling means.

22. A ships hull according to claim 16, characterized in that a cargo space includes means related to a ventilating air-stream generating system (18), adapted to allow a forced airflow (18') to pass through the interior of the cargo space from the most forward part of the second hull portion(12) to its rearward or aft part.

23. A ships hull according to claim 22, characterized in that the generated forced airflow is caused to pass from the cargo space to a free airspace with the aid of passageways orientated between the bow part of the second hull portion and adjacent a most forward subpart of the modules.

24. A ships hull according to claim 16, characterized by a first vertical gap (21) is provided between the first hull portion (11) and the second hull portion (12) above a chosen waterline.

25. A ships hull according to claim 24, characterized by chosen an orientation of the coordination of allotted edge lines or surfaces (111 , 112) in respect of said first hull portion (11) to from between 10 to 35% of the total length of the ships hull.