The objective of this thesis is structural design of a hatch cover, located around the midship area, for a bulk carrier (deadweight around 300 000 DWT) based on IACS Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers, July 2012. It was required to determine the number and position of primary supporting members, as well as the orientation and number of secondary stiffeners which will result in an optimal topology according to the total mass of the hatch cover. In the initial concept phase, a table calculation based on prescribed Rule calculation, of different, arbitrarily chosen topological variants of the hatch cover was conducted which served as the basis for further analysis. Besides the table comparison, an algorithm based on the isolated beam method according to IACS-CSR was also created for finding the optimal topology variant using the Excel Solver. Preliminary phase includes making coarse mesh finite element models of chosen topology variants using the computer program MAESTRO. Initial scantling determination of structural elements was based on analysis results and all stresses were reduced to the same levels for comparison. Two favorable topology variants from the preliminary phase were modeled with a fine mesh of finite elements. Both models comply with Lloyd’s Register assessment procedures. All structural elements were resized with respect to buckling and yielding criteria according to IACS-CSR. After comparing the total mass of the hatch covers, the most favorable topology variant was chosen. Final sizing of structural elements was conducted for that variant, as well as harmonizing the dimensions of primary supporting members and creating technical documentation.