Hydrodynamic Study on Ship-to-ship Bunkering in Waves and Shear Currents Focusing on Gap Resonances

Other conference contribution, 2026

Ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering plays a critical role in offshore energy logistics, particularly for floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) systems operating in open seas \citep{Zhao2018}. Compared with conventional port-based fueling, side-by-side (SBS) bunkering offers greater operational flexibility but introduces complex hydrodynamic interactions due to the close proximity of vessels. Among these, gap resonance---oscillations of the fluid trapped between adjacent vessels---is a key concern. Under resonant conditions, large free-surface elevations can develop within the gap, leading to increased hydrodynamic loads, violent vessel motions, and potential damage to fuel transfer systems. Understanding the mechanisms governing gap resonance is therefore essential.