The Van der Velden rudder design is gaining popularity among vessels requiring low speed or even no forward speed crabbing movements in small ports and tight harbours
Following the news Damen Marine Components is making a contribution to the innovative inland waterway tanker being built for BASF and Stolt Tankers, it has been revealed that the same rudder design is finding application on other vessels.
One such vessel, Arklow Artist, is currently being outfitted at the Ferus Smit shipyard in Westerbroek, the Netherlands. Initially, the vessel and others in the series were going to be equipped with NXA fishtail rudders.
The shipping company asked its captains and superintendents for feedback, which revealed a strong need for the capability of crabbing; the ability of a ship to move sideways without moving forwards.
“An understandable wish,” said Damen Marine Components sales manager Marnix de Bruijn. “The ships need a lot of lateral movement, because they commute from port to port and have to manoeuvre a lot.”
Damen Marine Components has adopted this wish. In consultation with the management boards of the shipping company and Ferus Smit, it was decided to replace the NXA rudders from the original design.
The newbuildings are being equipped with Van der Velden BARKE high-lift flap rudders. With the progressive rotating flap, the BARKE rudder generates high lifting forces at large rudder angles and low drag at small rudder angles. This aids in sideways shifting.
Four similar vessels are being equipped with Van der Velden MASTER rudders. Of a similar design, these have rudder angles of up to 65°, providing high lift. The design can be optimised for many different types of ships, including tankers.
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