Speed and efficiency trials help establish whether sister ships perform alike and whether a hull has been built to the intended shape. A poorly shaped hull can lose substantial cruising efficiency even when its installed machinery provides the expected power. That changes the relationship between economical speed and the much greater power needed for maximum speed. Laser measurements can reveal construction deviations ashore, but water pressure can make the completed hull behave differently once afloat. Trials remain necessary even when the hull has passed detailed geometric inspection.
Notable Point · 22:28-23:49
Hull shape determines cruising efficiency
A hull can have the expected machinery power and still consume too much fuel because its shape creates excessive cruising resistance.