More about the ‘75% more efficient’ ship propulsion system

The original story can be read here. From the original information, and the Lloyd’s Register certificate, which made references to ‘pumps’ as a critical component of the system it seemed reasonably to assume that the technology was related in some way to pump jets. The company’s media agent has told our Australian correspondent Wendy Laursen that “nothing could be further from the truth.”

The agent went on to say, while giving nothing away about the actual technology employed, that “TGPS is a completely new approach that redefines old paradigms about converting power to thrust and does not resemble (even remotely) any current commercially available marine propulsion system.”

A document circulated by Gamma CEO Douglas C. Bruce adds that: “We have already disseminated the technology to some interested shipyards and engineering firms in North America, Oceania, Asia and Europe. As all components are either very easy to build or off-the-shelf components we will further licence as many other suppliers, as many other engineering firms, and as many other shipyards and dry-docks as is necessary for maximum rollout. We suggest that dry-dock capacity, worldwide, will be the only limiting factor.

“For example, we estimate dry-docking for a 10,000hp ship for refit to be less than one week (with proper planning) and this would coincide with its regular haul out. It is a simple fit out, as much of the work can be finished after relaunching. Dry-dock installation for each propulsion unit involves: cut 2 holes in the bottom; weld in the prefabricated propulsion unit and reversing module; and reinforce area to Class.

“It’s a ‘Plug and Play’ philosophy and licensed subcontractors will carry out all the work. We are currently rolling out the technology for fishing trawlers, self-propelled barges, and work boats such as port authority vessels, tug boats and any smaller displacement hull vessels. Once our engineering studies and field trials are completed for maxi vessels, then this market for the propulsion unit will also be rolled out. We are interested in expressions of interest from owners of such vessels to enable us to finish our engineering studies on these ships, and to help us move forward.”

We have to say that inventions like these crop up quite regularly, but the inventors seldom take into account the particular characteristics of the merchant shipping industry, which is closely governed by regulation and the type approval and class systems, and is often ultra-conservative and not particularly receptive to new ideas. In this case, those behind the project seem to have done rather more homework than most, so it will be interesting to see how the project progresses once it is translated into reality.