Greek Market Leader Orders Kappel Propellers

MAN Diesel & Turbo has won the order to supply Danaos Shipping Co. Ltd. with fixed pitch Kappel propellers, propeller boss caps with fins, and Engine-Power Limitation for two container vessels – the 8,500 TEU ‘CSCL Europe’ and ‘CSCL America’.

Mr. Dimitrios Vastarouchas, Technical Director & Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Danaos said: “At Danaos we look forward to have the vessels upgraded. Our R&D Department has conducted very thorough investigations before concluding what the right upgrade solutions for these vessels are and we are confident that the vessels will be highly competitive in the market once upgraded”.

Both container vessels are powered by MAN B&W 12K98MC-C main engines rated at 68,520 kW at 104 RPM. In connection with the propulsion upgrade the main engines will be limited to 44,000 kW at 89.7 RPM however; top speeds of more than 23 knots will still be available.

Along with the upgrade of their propulsion systems, the vessels will also enter dock to rebuild their bulbous bows. Combined with the already installed Turbo Charger Cut Out these comprehensive upgrades are expected to reduce fuel consumption at the new optimization speed of 18 knots by a total of more than 15% compared to the vessels as they were delivered from the new building shipyard in 2004. The upgrade packages will make the Danaos container vessels among the most competitive mid-size container vessels in the market.