Becker Marine Systems at SMM 2018: Energy-Efficient Solutions

Becker Marine Systems is perfectly positioned to present itself at SMM 2018, the leading international trade fair for the maritime industry. With its versatile high-performance rudders and efficient energy saving products such as the Becker Mewis Duct^®, the Hamburg-based company is managing to convince more and more customers of its innovative products. Additionally, with innovative product developments such as the Becker LNG PowerPac^®, Becker Marine Systems is continuing to down the path of a more sustainable shipping industry.

The products offered by the world market leader for high-performance rudders and energy-saving solutions in the field of maneuvering technology feature a successful interaction of economy and ecology. At SMM, being held in Hamburg from September 4 to 7, Becker Marine Systems will also be impressing visitors with both proven and new products at Stand A1.225 in Hall A1.

“Our main Manoeuvring Systems and Energy-Saving Devices divisions continue to develop in a positive way,” say Dirk Lehmann and Henning Kuhlmann, both Managing Directors of Becker Marine Systems, “especially in the field of energy-saving solutions, demand continues to rise strongly, as energy efficiency plays an ever increasing role as a result of rising fuel costs and stricter environmental regulations in future.” 

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has, for instance, decided to reduce the amount of sulfur in marine fuel to a maximum of 0.5 per cent as of 2020. “We clearly feel this requirement - all the slots still available at shipyards for technical conversion of the ships are now being secured,” reports Lehmann.

With the latest generation of high-performance rudders, Becker Marine Systems has succeeded in further improving the efficiency of existing rudders and gaining additional market share. The ship supplier has also developed new product enhancements in the area of digitisation, which can monitor ship operation and detect wear early on. For example, the Becker Intelligent Monitoring System (BIMS) enables energy-saving autopilot operation and improves the effectiveness of ship operation.

Order books well filled

In the current year, Becker Marine Systems can report numerous new orders for the versatile high-performance rudders and successful energy-saving solutions, the Becker Mewis Duct^® and Becker Mewis Duct^® Twisted, including a Becker Flap Rudder Twisted with rudder bulb for an 80,000 cbm LPG carrier built by the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard. The same South Korean shipbuilder has placed orders for 16 Becker Mewis Duct^® Twisted to be installed on a number of different ULCV (Ultra Large Container Vessels) newbuildings.

In addition, further developed Becker Twist Rudders with rudder bulbs for two 2,500 TEU ships owned by the Pasha Group at American shipyard Keppel AmFELS as well as Becker Twist Rudders for 16 ships of the Bangkok-Max class (1,800 TEU each) will be installed at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard shipyard in South Korea. Additional Becker Twist Rudders were ordered for five 12,950 TEU container ships belonging to Greek shipping company Costamare from the Jiangsu New Yangzi shipyard.

“Besides this, we are currently developing a new Becker Mewis Duct® for twin screw vessels that can lower energy consumption by up to four per cent,” report Lehmann and Kuhlmann. This product innovation is of particular interest for LNG carriers, shuttle tankers and large container ships.

Becker Marine Systems expects additional orders in the well developing RoRo market. The company has also expanded its Service and Conversion division to further improve customer proximity and to introduce new concepts such as sustainable fleet and framework maintenance contracts to keep existing ships safe and reliably in service.

Successful new Becker LNG PowerPac^® development

Just two weeks before the SMM, a Becker Marine Systems pilot project was presented, which ensures that large container ships can turn off their auxiliary diesel engines and during downtown obtain the power needed for onboard operations from a new type of mobile generator.

Becker Marine Systems developed the mobile Becker LNG PowerPac® power plant along with its subsidiary, HPE Hybrid Port Energy. A compact system the size of two 40-foot containers, this unit can combine a gas-powered generator and an LNG tank to provide power for ship operations while at port. Hazardous emissions, such as sulfur dioxide, fine dust and nitrogen oxides, which otherwise occur during operation of the ship, can thus be avoided or significantly reduced.

The tests were carried out on Hapag-Lloyd ships at the Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) pier. All parties involved are very satisfied with the results of the pilot project and the accompanying goal of making the shipping business more sustainable. For Becker Marine Systems, the Becker LNG PowerPac® represents an uncomplicated solution for lowering emissions at ports and thus has the potential for international use. “We are in talks with a number of European and Chinese ports and are confident that the Becker LNG PowerPac® can prevail on the market”, says Lehmann.

COBRA maritime battery system further developed

The still new COBRA product line, the Compact Battery Rack system based on lithium-Ion cells, also demonstrates the innovative paths Becker Marine Systems is taking. The company offers the most compact maritime battery system by far on the market. It is constantly being further developed in order to offer customers maximum safety and performance. The COBRA system is currently undergoing type approval by the Bureau Veritas and DNV GL classification societies.

In principle, COBRA can be used on any ship and, depending on type and application, as part of a hybrid/electric drive, peak shaving buffer or energy storage. Possible applications include offshore vessels, harbor and work boats, police and fire brigade ships, passenger ships and car ferries. The system is also appealing for larger cargo ships. The many inquiries confirm that Becker Marine Systems is on the right path and can stand out positively from the rest of market.