Abstract

Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) materials are widely used in the construction of small-length vessels due to their light weight and high strength to weight ratio. However, the use of FRP materials in vessels above 50 m length is only allowed to secondary structural elements of the vessel. Hence, it is necessary to promote the creation of new regulatory frameworks to permit the construction of large-length vessels using composite laminates in all parts of the vessel structure to enable the development of this interesting technology for the reduction of weight. FIBRESHIP proposes to create a new market focused on the construction of large-length vessels based uniquely on lightweight composites. The results of this project are attracting considerable interest within the shipping industry as the extensive use of FRP materials in large-length vessels induces an important reduction of the weight with respect to the conventional steel ships. This significant weight reduction decreases the vessel bunkering consumption, increases the payload cargo capacity, and avoids the corrosion phenomena in the vessel among other identified benefits.