In the paper a hydrodynamic optimization problem for a ship bulbous bow has been treated and in order to deal with the problem, a genetic algorithm technique has been used. A non interactive procedure has been developed to minimize the objective function, related to the flow past a ship moving with steady forward speed in calm water. The potential flow solver coupled with the genetic algorithm is based on a free surface potential formulation. The paper discusses the application of the genetic algorithm and the potential flow solver to the optimization of the bulbous bow from the hydrodynamic point of view. A perturbation surface, defined by several bulb geometrical parameters, has been used to allow the bulb shape modifications. According to the geometrical constraints, several new optimized shapes of the bulb have been automatically obtained. The obtained bulb modifications have been presented and analyzed in order to demonstrate the ef-fectiveness and validity of the developed procedure.