Berg Propulsion’s feathering controlled pitch propeller has been selected by United Faith (Hong Kong) Group subsidiary Celestone Marine Engineering Co. Ltd, as part of a deal that looks to equip up to four state-of-the-art semi-submersible heavylift vessels with complete propulsion systems.
The deal, which includes firm orders covering two vessels, plus options to equip a further two in the months ahead, will see installation of combination propulsion systems on each ship, involving traditional diesel engine plus electrically powered Azimuth driver systems from Berg, the Berg CPP with feathering capability, two Berg Azimuth Thrusters (BAT), and two Berg CP tunnel thrusters. The estimated delivery time for the Berg equipment is August 2011.
The 50,000 dwt vessels, construction of which will commence in Nantong, China at the end of 2010, are under China Classification Society class and are rated ICE 1B. They will feature a fully open stern, DP-2 dynamic positioning capability and optimised ballast tank design. They will be capable of float-on/float-off, stern load-out and float-over operations.
Wang Xiaohua, General Manager, Berg Propulsion International Trading (Shanghai) Co Ltd, said that the loading flexibility promised by the design of these ships would likely see them become the preferred configuration for future semi-submersible construction. “These ships have been developed by Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute to address the disadvantages associated with existing similar-sized semi-submersible vessels, and have been improved in terms of marine engineering capability, especially in their installation capacity, reliability, efficiency, and their simplicity of operation and maintenance,” he said.
Wang said the combination of the CPP’s feathering capability and the Berg Azimuth Thruster would create opportunities for lower operating costs. Putting a propeller in the feathered position at low speed minimizes drag, with consequent fuel savings, he said.
He added that the CPP design to be delivered by Berg would also feature a low oil pressure solution, specifically developed to ensure lower maintenance costs.