A numerical model is introduced to investigate both global and local ice-induced loads on ship hulls in first-year ridged ice fields. Probabilistic ice fields are generated according to the statistical distributions of ridge height and spacing. Based on a semi-empirical method, the cycles of contact, crushing, and bending constitute continuous icebreaking processes by which a numerical model of ship–ice interaction in level ice and consolidated layer in ice ridges can be developed. The ridge keel is regarded as a floating, homogeneous and isotropic granular solid. Keel resistance can be predicted based on ideas borrowed from soil mechanics: the bow component is calculated as an integral of resistance per unit width with a modified Rankine’s plasticity model, including consideration of the effect of ship movement and inertia force of ice accumulation in front of ship bow. The computation in this simulation is time-saving compared to DEM model used to simulate ship and ridge keel interaction in recent years. The numerical global and local ice loads are discussed through results of a case study conducted in a series of different ice conditions. Ship performance and statistics of ice-induced frame loads are analyzed. Comparisons are made of the simulated results against published results of model tests and field measurements in ridged ice fields.