Container vessels outfitted with Becker Twisted Fins
In October, 2012, Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam (Damen) won the contract for installing the first Becker Twisted Fin units on seven container vessels of Hamburg-based liner shipping company Hamburg Süd.
To complete the project on time, the vessels were routed in such a way that they could each be dry-docked for a maximum of six days every consecutive week. All ships have now been re-delivered.
The first vessel starting the cycle, MV 'Santa Catharina', was expected on December 30, 2012. However, the vessel was operationally delayed, reducing the available service time to three days.
Due to extensive preparation characterised by smooth co-operation between owners and shipyards combined with an efficient and refined method of fitting each prefabricated Becker Twisted Fin to the vessel, Damen managed to re-deliver each vessel just before the next vessel was ready for docking.
The last vessel, the MV 'Santa Rosa', was re-delivered in the last week of February.
Becker Twisted Fin
The Becker Twisted Fin was developed to improve the performance of the vessel in combination with the propeller and aft body of the vessel. Extensive testing in the Hamburg Ship Model Basin (HSVA) saw a reduced fuel consumption of up to four per cent.
"Now that the Becker Twisted Fins are installed, both Hamburg Süd and Damen Shiprepair have contributed in a small, but significant way to environmental protection," Damen commented.
"With this project, Damen also contributed to the requirements of the ISO 14001-2004 accreditation."
