A new bitumen tanker for France-based Rubis Group, currently under construction at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, will feature azimuth thrusters from the German propulsion expert
The 15,000-dwt bitumen tanker will be driven by two Schottel EcoPellers and one transverse thruster. Designed by Swedish FKAB Marine, the bitumen tanker will be deployed in West Africa for asphalt transportation services.
The main propulsion of the carrier consists of two electrically driven Schottel EcoPellers type SRE 560 (2,050 kW each), featuring fixed pitch propellers with a diameter of 3.1 m.
With this configuration, the 145-8 m long, 26.2-m wide vessel will achieve a maximum speed of 13.55 knots at design draft.
Also included in the propulsion package is a Schottel TransverseThruster type STT 2 (600 kW) to ensure maximum manoeuvrability.
This is believed to be a particularly effective combination of powerful propeller thrust and course-stabilising fin, as the Schottel EcoPeller fulfils all the requirements of a modern high-performance propulsion unit.
The hydrodynamically optimised design allows the Schottel EcoPellers to produce maximum steering forces and enables excellent efficiency and course stability, reducing fuel consumption and lowering operating costs and emissions.
Model tests carried out at the maritime consulting company SSPA Sweden confirm the performance of the EcoPeller: when compared with a conventional rudder propeller with nozzle, it demonstrated a 17% increase in propulsion efficiency at an operational ship speed of 12.5 knots throughout testing.
To achieve the maximum ship speed of 13.55 knots at design draft, the Schottel EcoPeller requires 11% less propulsion power than a conventional rudder propeller with a nozzle.
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