The Tender and Design Process

Tendering

Prior the beginning of construction a ship building or repair company will respond to a tender. A tender is a way for an owner (who may be an individual, corporation, or government) to assess who can build the best product for the best price. Responding to a tender can be onerous, with requirements for a design, budget and project plan. Large shipbuilding companies will have individuals or departments dedicated to responding to tenders. All this work is done without payment or the guarantee of a contract.

Part of the tendering process includes the owner considering several different bids from several different shipbuilding companies. Once a company has been selected a process of contract negotiations begins to finalize the design, price, and construction timelines.

Most ships are custom built according to specific requirements and plans. Increasingly however, ships are being built to a standard design which makes series-production possible. The advantages of building a standard vessel are that the design is proven, and costs can be reduced. The disadvantages are that there is less opportunity for innovation and the end-product might not meet the exact needs of the client.

Specifications

Part of a tender will include an outline of specifications (characteristics the ship should have). For example:

• The desired carrying capacity and tonnage
• Desired service speed and trial speed
• Types of cargo the ship must be able to transport
• System of hatches/hatch covers
• Cargo gear required and its type, number of crew and passengers
• Number of cabins and general accommodation
• Composition of the crew
• Operational area
• Operational range to determine the size of the fuel tanks and storage compartments
• Required certification, classification society, and flag of registration.
• Identification and procurement strategies for spare parts for new machinery;
• Identification of oils and lubricants to keep machinery within warranty parameters;
• Maintainance/servicing routines for the new equipment; and,
• Identification of a FIELD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (FSR) that would assist the ship in foreign ports if repairs are needed.

Design

Every detail of the final design is prepared by the engineering department of a company. Today most engineers use computer aided engineering software to develop drawings that specify the mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems. The drawings are submitted to the Classification Society, and the Regulating Body of the country where the ship is to be registered (flag state).

World Shipping Register - Ships Classification Societies website

The design process for keel and frame is very similar to the process used for modular/block construction. Potential owners can either have their organization draw up plans for a vessel, or they can contract a firm that specializes in designing ships.

The advantage of designing in-house is that the costs will be significantly lower. The disadvantage is that external engineering firms will have a greater pool of talent and access to new technologies and approaches.

Once the design process is underway, initial plans are drafted and passed by the owner for review. Many new mechanical, electrical and electronic features may be showcased and some may or may not be included in the final build, but there are basic safety requirements that are required if the vessel is to be registered and used on the open seas. These safety requirements cannot be compromised and are always updated to meet stringent international laws. The design process is iterative and preliminary drawings may pass back and forth between the owner and the design agency many times before being approved.