Double hull conversion increases the lifetime of a vessel as well as makes it environment friendly

The double hull ship is well named with the very existence of double layers of watertight hull surface in both ship’s bottom and sides. Double hull conversions not only increase the life time of older oil tankers but also makes it environment friendly meeting the most recent safety requirements.

Double hull conversion method

During the conversion of single hull vessel to double hull, the second hull shell is placed below the first one, further its elevated upwards to place near the first hull which is finally attached to each other. This process is completed in a dry dock or by using the ship-lifting system.

The space between the two hull layers is used for storing fuel or ballast water and during minor exhaustions double hulls prevent flooding of the inner compartment. The areas to be taken care of in a double hull vessel are always its maintenance, operations, construction, stability and most importantly its design. Double hulls in oil tankers prevent the oil spills but at the same time lot of other arguments arise mentioning about the danger of double hulls like the high risk of its corrosion leading to oil spills and formulation of intoxicating mixtures which may prove very much threatening to the crew. While in submarines the double hull structure comprise of outer light hull and inner pressure hull where the pressure hull maintains both the inside and outside pressure.