Today, the primary source of propeller power is the diesel engine, and the power requirement and rate of revolution very much depend on the ship’s hull form and the propeller design. Therefore, in order to arrive at a solution that is as optimal as possible, some general knowledge is essential as to the principal ship and diesel engine parameters that influence the propulsion system.

Attached file will, in particular, attempt to explain some of the most elementary terms used regarding ship types, ship’s dimensions and hull forms and clarify some of the parameters pertaining to hull resistance, propeller conditions and the diesel engine’s load diagram.