DIESELIZING SEATRAIN'S GAS TURBINE CONTAINERSHIPS

Seatrain Lines are converting their container ships from gas-turbine to Stork Werkspoot TM 620 Diesel-engine propulsion. Because of the increase of fuel prices since 1973, several attempts have been made to improve the overall economy of the existing propulsion plant and ship speed was reduced from 26 to 20 knots. However, this was offset by the fact that the specific fuel consumption of a gas turbine increases when operating on part-load. Studies were carried out at the Lips Propeller Works in Holland to improve propeller efficiency, which resulted in the development of a propeller known as "Big Bertha", designed for optimum performance at about 19 knots. This propeller, which has a larger diameter and a smaller blade area than the previous ones, has been in service on the Eurofreighter since Sept. 1976. Sea trials showed that it resulted in substantial fuel savings. However, the continuing escalation of fuel prices made further improvements necessary and led to the present conversion of the four ships involved. It was also decided to increase the load draught from 32 ft 5 in. to 37 ft 6 in., with a maximum service speed of 21 knots fully loaded. Order from BSRA as No. 52,678.

• Corporate Authors:

  Intec Press Limited

  3 Station Parade
  Whyteleafe, Surrey,   England 
• Publication Date: 1980-1

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 27
• Serial:
  • Ship Care and Maritime Management
  • Volume: 12
  • Publisher: Intec Press Limited

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Containerships; Fuel consumption; Gas turbines; Marine diesel engines; Propellers; Propulsion; Ship conversion; Speed control; Traffic speed; Vehicle power plants
• Uncontrolled Terms: Speed reduction
• Old TRIS Terms: Competitive propulsion systems; Engine conversion; Power plant conversion; Propeller efficiency
• Subject Areas: Energy; Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00314995
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Ship Research Association
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 27 1980 12:00AM