Sloshing Effects on FLNG and LNGC Side-by-Side Offloading

A side-by-side moored offloading configuration has relatively stronger hydrodynamic and mechanical interactions compared to a tandem moored offloading configuration. For instance, due to the narrow gap between FLNG and LNG Carrier, the trapped water resonance induces higher relative motions between the FLNG and LNG Carrier. In addition, due to the partial filling conditions during the offloading operations, the sloshing loads excite ship motions which induce higher loading on the offloading arms. In this research, a time domain sloshing-ship motion coupling analysis module has been developed for analyzing interactions of the side-by-side moored multiple floating platforms. This paper presents the numerical modeling, the validation analysis results, and the sloshing-ship motion coupled effects on the side-by-side offloading analysis.