Nakashima Propellers has acquired a majority shareholding in Becker Marine Systems (BMS) that will drive further co-operation between the two family owned organisations to develop energy-saving devices for optimised manoeuvring and propulsion
No details on the price of the transaction were disclosed between the two privately held firms, which have been co-operating since 1978. Nakashima acquired the majority shareholding in Becker Marine Systems on 30 March.
A global leader in fixed-pitch propellers, Yokohama-based Nakishima Propellers has been selling BMS products into the Japanese market under an exclusive distributorship for more than 40 years and holds a licence agreement for BMS flap rudders.
Nakishima produces fixed-pitch, controllable-pitch and carbon-fibre-reinforced propellers, along with electric thrusters and contra-rotating podded propulsion systems. Auxiliary propulsion systems cover side thrusters and Schottel pump-jets, energy-saving devices such as ECO-Cap devices, BMS flap rudders and Ultimate rudders and shafting.
Hamburg-based BMS, meanwhile, is well known for its energy saving devices, manoeuvring systems and recent expansion into maritime batteries and LNG power technology.
Both firms will retain their distinct brands and management teams but will be able to more easily offer shipowners and shipbuilders integrated, turnkey propulsion solutions for meeting more stringent energy efficiency, higher emissions reductions and fuel-saving requirements under the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), supporting shipping’s move towards decarbonisation.
By joining forces, the two expect to help shipowners in the container ship, LNG carrier, tanker, bulk carrier, cruise ship, tug and towage, roro and ferry sectors, covering both newbuild and retrofit applications.
BMS managing partners Dirk Lehmann and Henning Kuhlmann said the co-operation between the two firms was a “perfect fit” because Becker Marine Systems are “expert suppliers in front of and behind the propeller with well-known products such as the Becker Mewis Duct and the Becker Rudder family” and Nakashima Propeller is a “globally leading propeller manufacturer.”
During a global virtual press conference, Mr Kuhlmann said, “Becker has always been innovative in regards to efficiency (and) emissions savings. Noting Becker Marine Systems’ development of battery systems, Mr Kuhlmann said these systems could be used in combination with Nakashima thrusters. “We can make these for electrical motors, and we can design special propeller energy-saving packages and rudders for this market, too.”
Both organisations have strong inhouse computational fluid dynamics (CFD) capabilities that will underpin new product development, propulsion optimisation and virtual tank testing.
Additional products are expected to be developed incorporating wind technology and electric propulsion as maritime battery technology develops.
“We will make a significant contribution to total optimisation for propulsive performance as well as manoeuvring performance for our customers during the entire lifecycle of ships,“ said Nakashima president Takayoshi Nakashima.
The acquisition majority shareholding in BMS follows closely on the elevation of Mr Nakashima from company board director to company president on 1 February, following the retirement of several board members.
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