What is meaning and Advantages of Bulbous Bow Fitted on ships ?

• The waterline length is longer than about 15 metres.
• The vessel will operate most of the time at or near its maximum speed .

Note:-

Bulbous Bows are fitted on ships because they can:

• give an increase in speed for similar input of Engine power. This may be up to 1/2kt when fully-loaded and up to C3/4 kt in ballast condition.
• give extra strength at bottom of Fore Peak tank.
• reduce vibration amplitudes in the Fore Peak tank.

However, Bulbous Bows are expensive to install. On small, slow service speed vessels they can actually cause increased resistance to forward motion.