High efficiency propeller reduces fuel costs

The company said that its research has found that the Sharrow Propeller is 9%-15% more efficient than the industry standard Wageningen B-series design for ship operators preparing to meet the 2020 IMO sulphur regulation to lower to sulphur levels on ships to 0.50%, in effect from 1 January.

“The ability to meaningfully reduce fuel costs is the holy grail for marine transportation companies,” said Sharrow Engineering CEO Greg Sharrow. “One ship can burn millions upon millions of dollars worth of fuel every single year. So, we believe the gains in efficiency that our technology is demonstrating will truly shake this industry up as we get to market, especially as the 2020 sulfur regulations continue to edge closer.”

Wider peak efficiency

Sharrow’s propeller provides a wider peak efficiency curve for greater utility over a wide scope of operational ranges, and a 17 percent reduction in torque while accelerating. It is also designed to be low noise and low vibration.

It can be manufactured in all traditional propeller alloys and materials to match any size and blade number configuration and retrofit without any engineering challenges. The propeller is suitable for freighters, tankers, workboats and even recreational vessels.

Fuels costs are expected to rise by up to a quarter – or $24 billion globally – based on the new regulations.