Rolls-Royce to supply ice-class CP prop

The new ship, an ice-breaking bulk carrier of 25,000dwt, will be designed and built in Japan by Universal Shipbuilding Corporation. It will meet stringent design and operational requirements including a reinforced hull to allow it to proceed in continuous mode through level ice up to 1.5m thick. It will be operated by Canadian company Fednav, which has recently agreed a long term transportation contract with mining company Canadian Royalties for the shipping of concentrates from the Nunavik Nickel mine in northern Quebec.

The ship will be powered by a 29,000bhp diesel engine. Rolls-Royce will supply a 6.5m diameter nickel aluminium bronze Kamewa propeller weighing 45 tonnes. The propeller will be mounted inside a steel nozzle, to give protection from floating blocks of ice while increasing thrust as the ship pushes through the ice. When travelling in open water, the ship uses one-third of its power to travel at 13 knots, but when breaking through thick ice, it needs all available power to maintain a speed of three knots.

Fednav already operates ice-breaking bulk carrier Umiak I, which is fitted with a Kamewa CP propeller that enables the captain to quickly change direction when ramming ice.

Neil Gilliver, Rolls-Royce, president – merchant said: “We are delighted that Fednav has again selected our high-strength propeller for operating through what must be one of the toughest shipping routes in the world. Our ice-class technology is enabling our customers to operate all year round in the transportation of valuable cargoes to their global markets. Fednav has a proven track record in this specialised type of operation and we look forward to working together during the construction and entry into service of this unique and very powerful ship.”