Propeller

MAN Diesel Expands CP Propeller Portfolio

In response to the market demand for very large CP propellers up to and beyond 30,000 kW and with diameters over eight meters, MAN Diesel is expanding its propeller portfolio to add two new, propeller hub-sizes – VBS2080 and VBS2240 (2080 mm and 2240 mm hub diameters respectively). These propeller sizes are typically destined for ConRo vessels, shuttle tankers and special vessels with high ice classes, and powered by MAN B&W two-stroke MC-C or ME-C main engines that directly drive a CP propeller. As the potential for improving propeller propulsive efficiency aft-ship optimization is far greater than that for improving diesel-engine fuel-oil economy, MAN Diesel has devoted more resources to its CP propeller program and associated aft-ship systems in recent years, with the aim of improving total propulsive efficiency by 8-10% within the next three to five years. Backed up by industry demand, MAN Diesel focuses on low environmental impact and optimal fuel-oil consumption. While these two factors can play against each other in diesel-engine design, they go hand-in-hand with propellers since an increase in propeller efficiency results in lower propulsion power and fewer emissions. Where the correct approach to the vessel-design process is taken and MAN Diesel are involved at an early stage in propeller and aft-ship optimization

Wärtsilä Opens Propeller Factory in China

Propeller in the new factory Wärtsilä's joint venture company in China, Wartsila CME Zhenjiang Propeller Co Ltd., inaugurated its new propeller factory at Zhenjiang in Jiangsu province. The new factory is expected to double Wärtsilä's capacity to manufacture this type of propellers. During the past ten years the output has increased by 500 percent. In 2007 up to May, there are 425 vessels contracted in China, which is 45 percent of the global vessel order intake

Wärtsilä Acquires Propeller Repair Business in the U.K.

Wärtsilä has acquired the UK-based propeller repair company McCall Propellers Ltd. The company's net sales are $12.7m with 33 employees. McCall Propellers is the largest marine propulsion support services company based in the U.K. specializing in emergency repair of propeller equipment. The acquired company has purpose-built repair facilities next to Glasgow Airport, and work is carried out either in the workshop or on site anywhere in the world.

Mercury Marine Acquires Teignbridge Propellers

Mercury Marine announced today that it has acquired Teignbridge Propellers Ltd., headquartered in Newton Abbot, United Kingdom. Teignbridge Propellers produces bronze and Nibral (nickel, bronze, aluminum) propellers for yachts, patrol boats and commercial vessels. In addition to its line of standard and custom propellers, Teignbridge also produces a complete underwater package of stern gear for inboard-powered vessels, which includes rudders, shafts, struts, seals, logs and bearings.

Container Ship Propellor Damage Fixed by FN Diving

Heavy shaft vibrations led  a container shlp owner to call in FN Diving in Rotterdam for underwater repair of the propellor. The inspection of the propeller revealed a deformation on one of the blade tips due to impact damage, the blade was found bent up to a 70 degree angle towards pressure side, while the tip of the next blade was broken off. In cooperation with the Propeller manufacturer, FN Diving determined an in situ repair plan.

Propeller Retrofits Saves 10 Percent Fuel

Benefits of fitting CLT propellers include fuel savings of around 10 percent while maintaining the same speed, according to Geneva-based shipowner Cargill International SA, which has recently released consumption figures for two of its Panamax bulk carriers. The 70,000 dwt Powhatan and Paiute had CLT propellers retrofitted in February and March 1998, after Cargill had already benefited from more than two years' first-hand experience of the CLT propeller concept developed by Madrid-based

UMC and MPR Join Forces

Worldwide underwater ship maintenance specialists UMC International and Dutch based marine propeller repair specialists Maritime Propeller Repairs (MPR) have signed an agreement to cooperate for workshop and in-water propeller repairs.   The agreement was signed in Asperen, The Netherlands on 23rd September 2011, at an open day hosted by MPR.  More than 300 visitors attended the event, and all were very enthusiastic about the new joint service

Cleaning a Propeller

From the desktop of Luis Velarde, courtesy Rice Propulsion A propeller is exposed to all sorts of attacks underwater, such as rusting and adhesions of the sea. It is the key piece of the ship’s propulsion system, and thus deserves special attention.  The propeller is the element that allows the transformation of the mechanical energy of the engine into propulsion. A propeller in poor state is a disaster

Wärtsilä' Starts Prop Production in China

The joint venture company set up by Wärtsilä and CSSC (China State Shipbuilding Corporation) in China to design, manufacture and deliver Fixed Pitch Propeller (FPP) packages has officially started operating at the beginning of June 2004. The new company, called Wärtsilä-CME Zhenjiang Propeller Co. Ltd, is 55%-owned by Wärtsilä and 45%-owned by Zhenjiang CME Co. Ltd (CME), the latter being a wholly owned subsidiary of the CSSC.

MAN Reports Breakthrough in China

The new super long-stroke MAN B&W S90ME-C9 engine to be built in China Seaspan Corporation has placed an order for 7 + 18 newbuildings of 10,000 teu container ships at Jiangsu YangZiJiang Shipbuilding. These will be powered by the new super long-stroke engine type MAN B&W 10S90ME-C9, which will be built by the Chinese engine builder CMD. Traditionally, MAN Diesel & Turbo K98-type engines have been used as prime movers by 8,000-10,000 teu capacity container vessels