So how is X-bow design different from a conventional hull design?

X Bow Hull Design vs Conventional Hull Design

X-bow is a “backward sloping bow” or an inverted ship bow design which is used for increasing the fuel efficiency
and safety of the vessel at sea. As the name suggests, the inverted bow design has its farthest point at the extreme
point of the vessel (towards the waterline) which gives a continuous sharp bow shape to the hull. The sharp design at
the extreme front helps the vessel to cut through the waves and improve overall stability, especially in heavy waves.

In a conventional bow design, the farthest point of the bow is at the extreme front (topmost part) of the vessel and it
then tapers down, pushing the start of the bow backwards at the waterline. As the shape of the conventional bow is
less sharp, a certain amount of energy is used to push the ship forward and this considerably slows down the speed
of the vessel.

According to comparative tests done by Ulstein, the X bow design with its sharp hull does not generate a spray as it
cuts through the waves. As the ship parts the waves efficiently, the wave energy transfer is less and the loss in vessel
speed is negligible. Moreover, as the X bow cuts through the waves instead of pitching over them, there is
considerable less amount of green water on the ship’s deck as compared to the ships with conventional hulls. This
also implies that there is almost negligible bow flare and slamming resulting from the same in the front part of the
ship.

The X bow hull design ships provides smoother movement of the ship with less slamming, which also makes living
and working environment on the vessel better and reduces the chances of cargo shifting. According to a study, X
bow design reduces the movement of the ship by almost 20% even in the roughest seas. A ship with an X bow
design can thus easily sail through heavy waves with better speed and less movement. Opinions taken from seafarers
who have worked with X Bow reflect much better living and operating conditions. Some of the officer even
mentioned that unlike in ships with conventional bows, speed in X bow ships didn’t require to be reduced when
facing rough sea weather.
X bow design was first introduced to acquire higher speed with reduced slamming and vibration problems during
adverse weather conditions. However, according to the makers, the X-bow design offers several other advantages
over the conventionally designed bow. Bourbon Orca was the first ship launched by Ulstein with an X bow design in
2006.
Though mainly used for offshore support and supply vessels, the X bow design has seen a considerable increase in
demand across various types of vessels and are now designed even for container and naval ships.