Damen to supply 5-m Optima nozzles for ALP/Teekay ocean tugs
Damen Marine Components will supply a total eight 5,050 millimetre propeller nozzles for four ultra long distance towing and anchor handling vessel newbuildings. They are the largest nozzles that DMC will have manufactured with its spinning machine technique to date. The order was granted by Caterpillar Propulsion of Gothenburg, the shipbuilding group said Thursday in a press release.
Caterpillar is to provide the complete main propulsion units and has commissioned Damen Marine Components, a member of the Damen Shipyards Group, to design, engineer and produce the nozzle and head box sets.
The four sister vessels are under construction in Japan for ALP Maritimes Services, a recently acquired Teekay Offshore Partners subsidiary. The 300+ tonne bollard pull, 24,400 BHP ocean towing and anchor handling vessels will have two propulsion units each in a CPP stern-drive and rudder configuration.
“We’ll manufacture the nozzles with the spinning machine in our plant in Jiang Yin, China”, DMC director Steef Staal says about the novel manufacturing technique which includes one single weld only. The nozzles – of DMC’s Optima design - have a 5,050 millimetre inside diameter to accommodate a 5,000 mm CP propeller. They will outsize any nozzle manufactured with DMC’s first spinning machine in the plant in Gdansk, Poland. The nozzles’ 0.5 L/D indicates a length of 2,500 mm, half their diameter. Steel S355J2+N will be used.
“In co-operation with the vessels’ designers, and under Caterpillar Propulsion auspices, we’ve also engineered the streamlined head box bodies, which are part of the complete nozzle construction”, Staal adds. “But significantly, we’ve also conducted the FEM calculations to assess the nozzles’ right frequency profile in order to prevent amplification of frequencies from snowballing with engine and propeller. The nozzles are designed with a relatively narrow head box and strut connection, but stiff enough to secure the frequency profile. This requires a high power computer system, which is available in the Damen organization. This is one edge over other nozzle builders, DMC’s director emphasizes. “We do not just blindly copy the propeller manufacturers’ specs. This is why the prominent OEM’s are our main clients.”
About 85 per cent of Damen Marine Components’ business production is third party (non-Damen) business.
About Caterpillar Marine
Caterpillar Marine, with headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, groups all the marketing and service activities for Cat and MaK™ marine engines and propulsion systems within Caterpillar Inc. The organization provides premier power solutions as well as a comprehensive portfolio of propulsion solutions.
Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 32 ship- and repair yards, employing 8,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 5,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers approximately 180 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship design concept Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality. Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale value and reliable performance. Furthermore, Damen vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology. Damen offers a wide range of products, including: tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high-speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and super yachts. For nearly all vessel types Damen offers a broad range of services, such as maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. Finally, Damen offers a variety of marine components, especially nozzles, (flap-type) rudders, steering gear, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.
Damen Marine Components is specialised in the design and production of propeller nozzles, special towing winches and rudder installations.
Damen Shiprepair & Conversion
In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion offers a network of 16 repair and conversion yards worldwide, with dry docks ranging up to 420 x 80 metres. Conversion projects range from adapting vessels to meet today’s requirements and regulations to the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DS&C handles 1,500 repair and maintenance jobs annually.
