German company Becker Marine Systems has introduced two new product segments, the Becker Daggerboard for wind assisted vessels and a hydraulic steering system for smaller vessels.
Becker MD Henning Kuhlmann said: “One of the key principles of product development at Becker is continuous research aimed at driving innovation to optimise the hydrodynamic performance and efficiency of all vessels. The new product segments, Becker Daggerboard and Becker Steering Gear are an embodiment of this commitment.”
The Becker Daggerboard is an anti-leeway fin designed for ships equipped with wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS). The daggerboard offers advantages in reducing drift and features a slim design that can be integrated into various types of ships. Reducing leeway can save power and make navigation more efficient. When using WAPS, the desired thrust ahead components drive the ship. Depending on the wind direction, there can also be stronger or weaker lateral force components leading to leeway from the desired course. Using a Daggerboard reduces these force components, requiring less compensation by the rudder. This increases efficiency and minimises power consumption. There are two available models: a vertically retractable Daggerboard with an adjustable fin angle and a fixed fin Daggerboard that can be folded out from the hull. Both Daggerboard models can be completely retracted into the hull, avoiding interference in shallow waters, during engine-powered navigation, or while manoeuvring in harbours.
To complement Becker’s rudder systems the company is introducing matching steering gear. The Becker Steering Gear is equipped with a low-pressure hydraulic system, designed for efficiency, space-saving and is suitable for small steering gear compartments. The integrated bearings and rudder carrier of durable synthetic materials offer long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance. There are eight types of Becker Steering Gear available, with torques ranging from 160kNm to 500kNm, designed for smaller vessels such as offshore or fishing vessels. These high-performance steering systems offer single-source provision, ship safety, compliance with classification societies‘ regulations as well as easy installation, handling, and low maintenance.
Recent orders won by Becker include five Full Spade rudders with twisted leading edge, with each rudder having an area of 125 m2, for VLCCs. These are the largest that the company has provided so far. The VLCCs are currently under construction at Qingdao Beihai shipyard for Euronav. An order has been placed for Becker Twist rudders for a series of 10 container vessels of 24,000 TEU under construction at Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding for CMA CGM. An Odfjell 37K chemical tanker will be retrofitted with a Becker Mewis Duct and a Nakashima propeller for optimised hydrodynamic performance. Since the introduction of the Becker Mewis Duct in 2008, more than 2,500 vessels have been equipped with Becker energy-saving devices, resulting in a claimed 18.7m tons of CO2 saved. Three ro-ro vessels, being built at Wuchang shipyard for Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA), will feature a wind-assisted propulsion system with Becker Daggerboards and Becker Flap Rudders with twisted leading edge and rudder bulb.
Image: Becker steering gear actuator (source: Becker Marine)
