The two different numerical approaches for solving the nonlinear ship wave problem are discussed in the present paper. One is based on a panel method, which neglects the viscous effects. The other is based on a finite volume method, which take into account the viscous effects by solving RANS equations. Focus is laid upon on the advantages and disadvantages of two methods. The developed methods are applied to calculating the flow around Series 60 hull to validate the performance of the present nonlinear methods. Although the two methods employ quite different numerical approaches, the calculated wave patterns from both methods show good agreements with the experiments. However the potential method simu-lates the global wave pattern accurately, while the viscous method shows better performance for the local wave prediction near a ship.