D-TROP | One of the most accepted methods of reducing fuel consumption in the maritime industry is trim optimisation. But opinions on it vary widely, some saying it offers a poor input and output ratio, and others that it is one of the most effective tools in vessel performance management. The models required for trim optimisation must be determined for each individual ship. Besides the established trim modelling methods of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or towing tank tests, Germany’s Interschalt maritime systems AG offers the dynamic trim optimisation option D-TROP, which is described in the following by Felix Gärtner, deputy managing director of IS Seacos Asia, Interschalt’s Singapore-based subsidiary.