New KR EEDI Guidelines: CFD-Based Numerical Calculation for Vessel Efficiency Verification - News and Statistics

May 19, 2026

Korean Register (KR) has introduced new technical guidance for calculating the Attained EEDI via numerical methods, resulting from a collaborative research effort with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI).

These guidelines create a uniform approach for numerical analysis employing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), offering a substitute for the traditional physical model testing that was formerly required to confirm a vessel’s energy efficiency.

With the International Maritime Organization (IMO) intensifying rules on greenhouse gas emissions, shipbuilders are increasingly adopting various energy-saving technologies, such as air lubrication and wind-assisted propulsion, to boost efficiency and cut carbon output. In the past, proving the effectiveness of these technologies depended on physical model tests using scaled-down vessels in large towing tanks or wind tunnels, which incurred substantial time and expense.

CFD-based numerical analysis, which relies on computer simulations to accurately compute water and air flow around a hull, has become a viable alternative. Yet, discrepancies in analysis conditions and simulation parameters can cause result variations, underscoring the necessity for impartial and uniform verification standards.

The newly released guidelines organize the process for establishing the EEDI reference speed (Vref) through CFD-based numerical calculations into three phases: qualification; validation and calibration; and main computation. They also clearly outline analysis methods and reporting standards to guarantee result reliability and reproducibility.

A key feature is the inclusion of detailed modeling specifications and classification verification criteria for assessing air lubrication and wind-assisted propulsion systems—areas that remain insufficiently covered in existing guidelines from the IMO or the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS).

Developed in partnership with HD HHI and SHI, the guidelines integrate practical design knowledge and validated performance data from actual ship design and engineering work. This is anticipated to streamline the classification approval process and help shorten design and analysis timelines at shipyards.

KR Executive Vice President Kim Daeheon remarked that this joint effort has produced an advanced technical standard allowing the maritime sector to proactively address international regulatory demands. KR intends to broaden its technical assistance to bolster the shipbuilding industry’s digital engineering capabilities and take the lead in the market for eco-friendly vessels.

Customers can access the guidelines through KR’s technical support services.

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