Increased Demand for Rudder Conversions

More and more ship owners turn to Becker Marine Systems for rudder conversions of vessels already in service. The easy installation of a new Becker Rudder System can dramatically improve manoeuvring performance and reduce fuel consumption.

Becker Marine Systems’ After Sales Team has long been known for quality and flexibility when it comes to refurbishing Becker Rudders that have been in service for decades. In case of a general overhaul of a Becker Rudder, the Becker specialists turn old rudders into “good-as-new” by exchanging all tear and wear parts and applying a complete makeover to all rudder parts. Such a job has just been done for the cruise ship Mein Schiff 2.

 

The Becker After Sales Team has been faced with an increased demand for conversions of non-Becker rudders. Ship owners turn to Becker for a new rudder solution for vessels already in service to increase manoeuvrability. A good example for such a conversion is the Jaeger Arrow of Gearbulk Norway. The cargo vessel was built in 2001 with a semi-spade Schilling® Mariner Rudder. Within three weeks the Becker After Sales Team cut out the tarnished semi-spade rudder and replaced it with a new full-spade Schilling® Monovec Rudder in June 2011. As almost always when performing a rudder conversion, the Becker Team was able to fit the new rudder to the existing steering gear. The crew of the Jaeger Arrow took the opportunity of a Manoeuvring Training offered by Becker Marine Systems to experience the new and improved course stability of their vessel.

Also, the captain of the 25 year old cruise vessel Thomson Dream was very pleased with the conversion of the semi-spade rudders to a new Becker TLFKSR Twisted Leading Edge Flap Rudder System in 2010. The new rudders enable the captain to perform many harbour operations tug-free. Before the conversion the Thomson Dream needed a frequent tug-assistance, which is now decreased by 80%.

Another success story about the benefit of rudder conversions for ship owners can be told by Stena Line. Their Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica were fitted with new Becker TLFKSR Twisted Leading Edge Flap Rudder Systems during the time the vessels were docked for lengthening in 2007. Also, Stena Danica was fitted with Becker’s TLFKSR Rudders to replace non-Becker rudders, demonstrating improved manoeuvrability during Becker’s Manoeuvring Training for the bridge crew.

The order book of Becker’s After Sales Team illustrates the growing interest of ship owners for new manoeuvring solutions for vessels already in service. Becker Marine Systems is happy to offer all interested ship owners tailor-made rudder solutions for their ships with the option of a Manoeuvring Training to familiarise their crews with the often new and improved manoeuvring performance of their vessels.