The paper proposes an alternative method totally dependent on the use of CFD simulation to solve ship hydrodynamic problems as an alternative to the classical tank tests. The case study for this paper is the modified ship model of the Kriso Very Large Crude Carrier (KVLCC2). A series of numerical investigations are performed including: ship resistance computations with and without rudder, free-surface flow prediction for the design speed, wake flow structure investigation in the stern, propeller open water simulation and finally the self-propulsion prediction for ship with and without the rudder. Results are presented and compared with the available tank test results provided in the Gothenburg 2010 Workshop on CFD in Ship Hydrodynamics to investigate the accuracy of numerical simulation in comparison with the classical methods. A comprehensive study is brought into focus for clarifying various issues such as the wake flow structure, propeller open water test, self-propulsion with and without the rudder, all aimed at achieving a better understanding of the interaction between the ship hull, propeller and rudder. The results show an encouraging overall agreement with the available experimental data.
