EXPERIMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF HIGH-LIFT VORTEX-TRAP AIRFOILS FOR SHIP ROLL STABILIZATION

Miral Michel, Ibraheem Yaser, Mazen El-Bialy, Belal Tarek, Muhammed Salah, Muhammed Mahmoud, Ahmed Ashraf, Ahmed S. Shehata

Abstract


The devastating loss of over 1,900 containers from the ONE Apus in 2020 underscored a critical vulnerability in modern shipping: parametric rolling. This study investigates a practical solution to this instability using high-lift vortex-trap air foil stabilizers, which utilize modified leading-edge geometry to improve lift control. Comparative experiments were conducted in a wave tank using a 1:440 scale hull equipped with wireless motion sensors to capture precise dynamic behaviour. The testing revealed a dramatic contrast in performance; while the un-stabilized vessel quickly developed violent roll, the vessel equipped with the fins remained remarkably stable, maintaining roll angles below ±2°. Ultimately, the stabilizers achieved a roll reduction of over 80% and eliminated dangerous drifting tendencies, demonstrating that targeted hydrodynamic interventions can effectively neutralize parametric roll and improve safety at sea. 

Keywords


Fin Stabilizer, Stability, Shipping, Experimental, Waves.

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DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21622/MARLOG.2026.15.1.94

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Copyright (c) 2026 Miral Michel, Ibraheem Yaser, Mazen El-Bialy, Belal Tarek, Muhammed Salah, Muhammed Mahmoud, Ahmed Ashraf, Ahmed S. Shehata

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The International Maritime Transport and Logistics Journal (MARLOG)

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