New Caterpillar Marine Propulsion System Promises Fuel Savings

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Thursday June 19, 2014

Caterpillar Marine, a division of Caterpillar Inc. [NYSE:CAT] (Caterpillar), says it is launching a new, fuel-saving engine designed for harsh operating environments.

The Cat Propulsion Twin Fin System, available for newbuilds or as a retrofit, protects mechanical parts within the hull profile without reducing cargo space.

The system includes an electric motor and gearbox and controllable pitch propellers, with fins attached to the hull to improve propeller performance.

"We developed the Twin Fin system in partnership with Odense Maritime Technology (OMT) and Scandinavian Marine Group (SMG) initially as a solution to make vessels operating in Arctic conditions less vulnerable to damage to the propulsion system," said Mattias Hansson, Caterpillar Marine senior project manager.

"As the innovative concept has been engineered into vessels, we've been pleased to not only see increased reliability but improvements in fuel consumption and thrust performance as well."

With large propellers running at low shaft speed, and minimal mechanical loss, the system provides increased thrust with lower input power, while the fins ensure consistent water flow to the propellers, contributing to reduced fuel consumption as well as lower emissions.

Caterpillar acquired Swedish marine propulsion and control systems maker Johan Walter Berg AB (Berg) last year, saying the deal would help it produce full propulsion systems rather than just engines.

Ship & Bunker News Team
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