An optimised propeller design makes a major contribution towards making marine propulsion systems as efficient and as eco-friendly as possible. Together with shipping companies, shipbuilding testing institutions and universities, we are therefore constantly working on improving the performance of not only our engines and turbochargers, but also that of our propellers.

MAN has held the patent for controllable pitch propellers since 1903. With this type of propeller, the blades can be varied and adapted independently of the speed, making the manoeuvrability of the ship much easier. The principle has remained, but has been continuously adapted to the requirements of the shipbuilding industry. To achieve the highest possible degree of efficiency and therefore to save fuel as well as cutting emissions, our development engineers in Frederikshavn in Denmark need to know what purpose the new ship is primarily to be used for. Will it often be entering large sea ports, for instance, with very strict exhaust restrictions? Or will it be slowly travelling channels such as that between the Baltic and the North Sea? Based on these specifications, the experts use CAD programs to determine the optimum flow behaviour for the propellers. Essentially, the following applies: the straighter the water flows over it, the better it runs.

We use new discoveries in propeller design not only for new but also for existing ships. The replacement of old propeller blades with high-tech successor models with significantly smoother surfaces bevelled to match the line of flow can save up to ten per cent in fuel – a switch that especially adds up for propellers that are ten or more years old. MAN Diesel & Turbo’s many years of experience enable it to design and build the best propellers for all kinds of ships and for every purpose. As well as the level of efficiency, the main focus lies on the avoidance of noise and vibration that the propeller commonly generates. After all, not only is the electronic equipment on board a ship very sensitive to this type of pollution, but so too are some sea creatures and cruiseliner passengers who feel their comfort is being disturbed by loud noise and vibrations.

Propellers from MAN Diesel & Turbo also offer an additional bonus for the environment – and indeed are the first in the world to do so: they use biodegradable lubricants that will not pollute the sea in the event of accidental leakage. Ships fitted with these propellers can therefore navigate through highly sensitive regions such as the North Sea without worry. In order to ensure the performance and reliability of our products, the oils first had to undergo extensive testing before they were used. These tests were passed so successfully, however, that the oils are soon going to be used in gears too.
 
MAN Diesel & Turbo offers complete propulsion packages comprising the engine, gears, shaft and cp-propeller. These are perfectly coordinated with each other to achieve an excellent degree of efficiency.