South Africa’s Transnet, Union in Talks to Avoid Strike
(Bloomberg) — The biggest labor union at South Africa’s state-owned port and rail company are starting final talks with a third-party arbitrator to resolve a wage dispute and stave off...
PSV Juanita, image courtesy Helge Brandal/Kleven Verft
Kleven Verft’s Ulsteinvik shipyard delivered the 5,000 dwt PSV Juanita this month to shipowner J.J. Ugland, with a very unique feature.
This ship was designed by Salt Ship Design in Norway and is powered by a pair of in-line contra-rotating propellers which are controlled independently by two highly efficient permanent magnet motors. This propulsion system was designed as a joint effort between Salt Ship Design and Scana Propulsion.
Salt Ship Design notes, “Contra rotating propellers are in their nature more efficient than similar single propellers. Motors directly connected to the propellers gives fewer components, and improved energy conversion make the solution more efficient and safer compared to alternative solutions.”
The permanent magnet motors feature an integrated electrical motor and gearbox which Scana says, “eliminates mechanical efficiency losses in the gearbox while simultaneously increasing the efficiency of the electrical motor.”
Salt anticipates a 25 percent savings on fuel costs with this propulsion system as compared to conventional designs.
The ship is also powered by a pair of thrusters located in the bow and stern.
The U.S. Navy is also experimenting with permanent magnet motors on the recently christened USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000).
Watch the launching of the Juanita last September:
Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
Stay informed with the latest maritime and offshore news, delivered daily straight to your inbox
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up