Largest Ever Mewis Duct Records 5% VLCC Fuel Savings

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Tuesday April 24, 2012

Becker Marine Systems (Becker) has said it has measured bunker fuel savings on a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) of about 5% using what it described as the largest Becker Mewis Duct ever made.

The Hamburg-based business delivered the 8.10 meter diameter device to South Korea's Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries as part of a 4 vessel VLCC newbuild project for Singapore's Samco Shipholding Pte Ltd (Samco).

Becker said that initial sea trials of the 319 meter VLCC showed the duct measured bunker fuel savings of about 5%, equating to 2,800 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Samco are planning to fit the ducts to all 4 of the vessels under construction.

Becker, who specialize in high-performance rudders and manoeuvring solutions, say the Mewis Duct is well suited to both tankers and bulkers from 30,000 dwt to 320,000 dwt.

The German business also says it's the only energy saving device that combines wake field equalisation, reduction of hub vortex and contra-rotating swirl in a non-linear interaction.

Interest in the duct appears to have been positive since its introduction in 2008, especially in Korean dockyards.

Hyundai Mipo Dockyard are reported to have ordered 6 of the ducts for 2 separate customers, and STX Offshore & Shipbuilding (STX) has ordered 7 of the devices, three of which will be used on 50,000 dwt bulk carriers destined for a Danish owner.

Ship & Bunker News Team
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