EMEA News
Raytheon Anschütz Shows Fuel Saving Autopilot System
German nautical equipment manufacturer Raytheon Anschütz has exhibited a new autopilot and navigation system that it says can save fuel at the Shipbuilding, Machinery and Marine Technology (SMM) trade fair in Hamburg, Germany.
The NP 5000 autopilot uses a touch-screen interface that the company says allows even untrained users to adjust autopilot settings, allowing for more efficient rudder steering.
Raytheon Anschütz said the system is a response to increasing demands for emissions reduction and fuel savings.
Its features include integrated weather charts, allowing ships to avoid rough waters to maximise their efficiency and offering insight into the fuel use implications of different routes.
Andreas Lentfer, Raytheon Anschütz's Director of Business Development explained that the system has two modes of operation. In Economy mode rudder movements are significantly reduced to save fuel, whereas operation in Precision mode provides highest accuracy for safe navigation.
"Formerly it was a wide spread thinking, Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) weather chart overlays were to increase comfort and safety for passengers and loading only," said German sea weather expert Dr. Meeno Schrader of WetterWelt, who joined Raytheon Anschütz in its presentation. "But with [the] increasing importance of emission reduction and fuel savings, weather consideration during route planning [demands] significant attention."
Raytheon Anschütz said it installed the first of the systems on the Overseas Fran for Overseas Shipholding Group in October 2011, resulting in more economical and gentle rudder movement.
