The present work addresses the usefulness of a simple and efficient computer program (ULTSTR) for a sensitivity analysis of ship longitudinal strength, where this program was originally developed for calculating the collapse moment. Since the program is efficient it can be used to obtain ultimate strength variability for various values of parameters which affects the longitudinal strength, viz., yield. stress, Young's modulus, thickness, initial imperfections, breadth, depth, etc. The results obtained with this approach are in good agreement with those obtained by use of a more complex nonlinear finite element program USAS, developed by American Bureau of Shipping. / Master of Science