Maersk Tankers' pilot project shows promise

A comprehensive range of sea trials has been undertaken so far, with ballast fuel consumption carefully tested before the devices were installed but following a hull cleaning; then with each device tested separately; and then together. Within the next three or four weeks, one more set of trials will be completed when the tanker is laden.

Thomassen believes that theoretical fuel savings estimated by his engineering team will prove pretty accurate in practice, with total energy gains from these devices and various other initiatives totaling some 8-9%. The other two I-class VLCCs – the Maersk Ilma and the Maersk Isabella – are likely to have similar appendages fitted during the balance of this year, probably also at Keppel, whilst the company's four S-class VLCCs will probably also have retrofit installations. A further 12 VLCCs in the company's fleet will be candidates for similar treatment.

The vessels all trade in the 45-ship Nova Tankers VLCC pool with similarly modern vessels from partners Mitsui OSK, Ocean Tankers, Phoenix Tankers and Samco.

The company is spending up to $35m on the retrofit programme across its tanker fleet. But Thomassen points out that the efficacy of fuel-saving devices depends on hull form. The Becker Mewis propeller duct, for example, is designed to optimise water flow to the propeller of more full-bodied slower vessels. The ducts are not likely to offer the same fuel savings on faster ships with finer hull lines aft, such as the company's LR2 products carriers, for example.

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