Rolls-Royce says it has been selected by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and Vigor Alaska to provide the propulsion systems for two future Alaska-class ferries that will be built by Vigor Alaska in Ketchikan, Alaska. The two ferries will feature a range of Rolls-Royce technology, including reduction gearboxes, tunnel thrusters and steering … [Read more...]
Cat Unveils New ‘Twin Fin’ Propulsion System
Caterpillar Marine is set to formally unveil the new Cat Propulsion Twin Fin System this week at the 2014 ITS Hamburg Conference and Exhibition in Germany. The Cat Propulsion Twin Fin System is based on a new diesel-electric solution that saves on fuel and emissions, while improving overall vessel performance and ease of maintenance. What’s interesting about the Twin Fin … [Read more...]
PHOTOS: 3D Seismic Vessel Gets “Twin Fin” Propulsion Upgrade
In February 2014, the 3D Seismic Vessel ‘Polarcus Naila’ was at Damen Shipyard Group’s ship repair and conversion yard Shipdock Amsterdam for a 6-week propulsion upgrade that included the exchange of two existing azimuth thrusters with the compact “Twin Fin” system. The upgrade, which is described in the video above, was designed by Odense Maritime Technology, Caterpillar … [Read more...]
Downward-Angled Thrusters Show Major Efficiency Gains
In a recent conversation with Wim Knoester, Director of Propulsion at Wartsila Ship Power, he described a new thruster design that his company has been working on targeted to the drillship and semi-submersible drilling rig sector. As the image below shows, the thruster is angled downward at an 8 degree angle. Although the angle of the thruster does give up a portion … [Read more...]
Propeller Technology to Make Your Ship More Efficient
Appendages to the propulsion system at the stern of a vessel can offer ship owners and operators an easy and relatively painless solution to improving fuel efficiency without the need to order new and expensive ‘eco-ships'. With many products offering the prospect of a relatively short return on investment, the path to greater sustainability can be embarked upon sooner … [Read more...]