Speed optimisation is an important energy efficiency practice, which can bring good economic and environmental benefits. The methodology of the speed optimisation and dynamic programming of ships are firstly investigated. With the total fuel consumption as the objective function and main engine speed as the decision variable, a novel multi-stage speed optimisation model of ship is then developed based on dynamic programming algorithm. A Yangtze river ship is selected as a case study, the actual operational data are acquired through sensors installed onboard the ship. Using the operational data, regression analysis is applied to establish the relationship models of ship fuel consumption and speed in relative to main engine speed. Finally, simulating calculation and comparative analyses are carried out. The results indicate that the velocity and direction of water flow is a key factor affecting the speed optimisation of ships in the Yangtze river; the proposed multi-stage decision making method is effective in the speed optimisation for ship with a long-distance and changing-environment voyage. This study can provide methodological support for ship navigational optimisation.

速度优化是重要的节能实践，可以带来良好的经济和环境效益。首先研究了船舶速度优化和动态规划的方法。以总油耗为目标函数，以主机转速为决策变量，基于动态规划算法，建立了新型的船舶多级转速优化模型。选择长江船作为案例研究，通过船上安装的传感器获取实际运行数据。利用运行数据，进行回归分析，以建立船舶燃油消耗和速度相对于主机转速的关系模型。最后，进行了仿真计算和比较分析。结果表明，水流速度和方向是影响长江船舶航速优化的关键因素。提出的多阶段决策方法对于长距离变环境航行的船舶速度优化是有效的。该研究可以为船舶航行优化提供方法学支持。