Feature 2
more capital intensive but less innovative
and less ‘knowledge specific,’ and
although reasonably healthy currently, is
not the strongest sector of the shipping/
shipbuilding sub-cluster.
Much has been made of recent tax changes
proposed by the Norwegian government
but, said Mr Jakobsen, although deeply
unpopular with shipowners, viewed in a
long term perspective, the changes would
not be that important, and there would,
he anticipated, be no crisis of confidence
among owners or relocations.
As for the overall productivity of the
shipbuilding and marine industries, there
would, said Mr Jakobsen, probably be
an improvement, as a result of further
innovation, economies of scale, and a Norway’s ‘maritime cluster’ – which links yards, equipment manufacturers, and many
growing employee skills base. Even so, other players - remains dynamic, and continues to produce innovative products.
recruiting and retaining sufficient skilled
employees would be a ‘huge problem’,
he said, and given the intense level of
competition from yards in low cost Promas wins plaudits
countries, more and more shipbuilding
concerns were likely to become centres of
expertise, building a few vessels themselves, rolls-royce has secured the first contracts for Promas, its integrated
and exporting expertise, designs, and bulb, propeller hubcap, which was recently nominated for the Best
associated skills and technology. Engineering Achievement of the Year in Norway.
‘Yards know that a downturn will come, Promas is designed to improve overall propulsive efficiency and
and that when it does it could be rather reduce environmental impact. The slipstream from the 5.2m diameter
sharp,’ said Mr Skår. ‘The orders are still Kamewa CP propeller flows on to the leading edge of the rudder,
coming in, and in the year to September the which is twisted so that some of the swirl energy in the propeller wash is
order intake amounted to Nkr24 billion, so converted to useful forward thrust. A bulb is incorporated in the rudder,
a few yards have work until 2011, but we and a hubcap is attached to the propeller. The nose of the bulb and
know that this is a cyclical business.’ the shape of the hubcap have been the subject of an intensive r&d
By the end of 2007, said Mr Skår, he programme to ensure that smooth water flow is maintained as the
expected the orderbook to be in the region rudder is turned.
of Nkr28-30 billion. The vessels being built The initial order for Promas is for a quartet of bulk carriers being built
are also increasingly sophisticated and of in China, but Rolls-Royce believes that the concept could be equally
high value. Orders taken in 2006 amounted applicable to other vessels, including passenger vessels.
to Nkr43.5 billion. the main advantage of Promas is that the propeller and rudder are
The maritime cluster in Norway designed as one, tightly integrated solution. The rudder is designed to
remains internationally competitive and work with the propeller and the propeller with the rudder. This results in
is still growing fast, because it is dynamic, a bulb/hub/twisted rudder concept in which the flow from the propeller
innovative, and competent, but overall is very well controlled, and from the hub and blade, root region flow is
Norway is not an attractive location for directed smoothly over the hubcap on to the bulb, which forms part of
shipping due to the unfavourable tax the spade rudder.
regime. ‘However, countries compete to as the rudder in Promas turns, the rounded forward edge of the bulb
attract activities – not companies – and moves sideways, but without negative effects on the flow in the range
Norway is competitive for attracting of rudder angles encountered when in transit. The rudder has a twisted
knowledge intensive maritime activity, and leading edge, which allows some of the swirl energy in the propeller
there is every reason to believe that the slipstream that is normally wasted to be recovered as useful thrust.
Norwegian cluster will remain competitive rolls-royce says it believes that Promas is suitable for use on a wide
and that, in particular, the Oslo region will range of single screw vessels. Some twin screw vessels may also benefit
strengthen its position as an international from using it too, and on vessel types where reduced levels of noise and
knowledge-based maritime hub.’ NA vibration are important – such as passenger vessels.
The Naval Architect January 2008 41
NA Jan - p40+41.indd 41 04/01/2008 15:32:53
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