SHIP & BOATBUILDING
NEW RUDDER TECHNOLOGY TO SAVE UP TO 30% OF FUEL BURN A more efficient rudder system, designed at the University of Strathclyde, will be demonstrated as part of a €6 million EU-funded research project The GATERS project led by the University of Strathclyde under the Horizon 2020 Fund, will see the ‘gate rudder’ a novel propulsion and steering system - retro-fitted to a commercial vessel as part of a trial. Unlike a traditional rudder which sits behind a ship’s propellers to steer the vessel, the U-shaped gate rudder essentially two separate rudders - sits astride the propeller which, as a result, acts like a nozzle around the propeller and generates additional thrust. Both rudders can be independently controlled to provide better steering as well as providing additional crabbing ability when docking. In early trials, the gate rudder has shown ‘remarkable’ fuelsaving potential of 15% in calm waters, while this can be as high as 30% in rough seas, the team claims. The gate rudder is also quieter than a traditional rudder system, reduces hull wake, and can help to protect the propeller from damage - particularly beneficial in sensitive environments such as the Arctic. Professor Mehmet Atlar, who is the project coordinator from Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NAOME) at Strathclyde, said: “GATERS demonstrates significantly reduced emissions from ships particularly within coastal and port areas, challenging and even exceeding the current and future legislative requirements of the International Marine Organisation and local regulations for emissions. “As a propulsor-based solution, the gate rudder offers a significant amount of power-saving that cannot be achieved by any other single energy-saving device which is currently available in the market. “An important advantage of the gate rudder system is highly-effective manoeuvrability within coastal and port areas as well as navigating more efficiently in waves during oceangoing operations. In addition, the gate rudder system is simple, generic and flexible, and can be installed on new-built
ships or retrofitted to existing ships, as well as integrated easily with other fuel-saving and emission reduction technologies. Based on these features, the gate rudder design presents a great prospect of replacing conventional design.” The project brings together 18 technology experts and prime stakeholders, including the patent holder, Dr Noriyuki Sasaki who is a Visiting Professor in NAOME, to demonstrate and exploit the benefits of this system. The researchers will use data gathered from the sea trials to demonstrate for the first time whether the system could be applied to an existing 90m coastal cargo ship as a “retrofit” and to explore its applications for other oceangoing vessel types and sizes, hence, ultimately become the next generation propulsion and steering system for waterborne transport. The concept has already been licenced to Wartsila for potential future production.
8 In early trials, the gate rudder has shown ‘remarkable’ fuel-saving potential
Electric RIB just got bigger We have already reported our excitement about the RS Pulse 58, the world’s first electric RIB with a fully integrated electric drive launched at Dusseldorf Boat Show last year. Following an ‘overwhelmingly positive response’ to the Pulse 58, RS Electric Boats has further developed the boat’s design and technology to bring out a larger, next generation model - the Pulse 63. Slightly longer at 6.3 metres the new design features a more efficient hull shape to reduce drag and promote quick acceleration. The Pulse 63 also has more open space
30 | MAY 2021
8 Max range is 100NM, although that is at 5 knots
onboard with the drive system set flush into the transom. The 46kw Hyperdrive battery pack provides up to 400v of power to the RAD hubless rim drive, resulting in quicker
acceleration, ample range, excellent manoeuvrability and minimal maintenance. Furthermore, the Pulse 63 is available in four configurations: Leisure, Commercial, Coaching and Superyacht. RS Electric Boats has tailored each specification to suit the different requirements of these four key markets, and buyers can further customise their electric RIBs to suit their own specific needs. Designed to make commercial marine activities productive and on-water leisure time fun whilst also being kind to the planet, the Pulse 63 is built using sustainable materials and is entirely emissions-free.
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