A Comprehensive Review of Geometric Influences of the Bulbous Bow on the Resistance of the KRISO Container Ship

The hydrodynamic resistance of container ships, especially at medium to high speeds, is greatly influenced by the bulbous bow, an essential design element. The KRISO Container Ship (KCS) has been widely used as a benchmark model because of its well-documented geometry and validated experimental data. A brief overview of the literature on the geometric effects and optimization of bulbous bows for KCS-type vessels is provided in this work. A comparative analysis is conducted among empirical prediction methods, CFD simulations, and experimental tests. Important geometrical factors are analyzed in relation to total and wave-making resistance, including bulb length, width, tip height, and volume ratio. The findings show that coordinated multi-parameter optimization, as opposed to discrete geometric adjustments, is necessary for efficient resistance reduction. A move toward integrated, data-driven, and multi-objective design techniques for energy-efficient bulbous bow development is reflected in recent developments in AI-assisted design, parametric modeling, and surrogate-based optimization.