Bulk carrier newbuilds opt for Kappel propellers

The 186.5m ships will be built by New Times Shipbuilding in Jiangsu Province, China. The first four newbuildings will be classified by Germanischer Lloyd (GL) and the remaining four by American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). Deliveries are planned for 2015 and 2016. The propellers will be manufacturerd at MAN’s partner in China, Dalian Marine Propeller Co (DMPC).

The 6.8m diameter, slow-running, four-bladed Kappel fixed-pitch propellers will be tailored to theShanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI)- designed bulk carriers and a drivetrain powered by an MAN B&W 5S60ME-C engine, economy-rated for 8,050kW at 89rpm. The ships are designed for optimised fuel consumption and minimal emissions.

Thomas Leander, senior manager of propeller and aft ship, MAN Diesel & Turbo, said: “The cooperation and optimisation process with the owners and SDARI has been excellent, especially in terms of developing the fully optimised main-engine, propeller, shafting and aft-ship layout. Furthermore, this Kappel order gives MAN Alpha propellers a strong foothold within the medium- to large-sized bulker segment”.