Details of the transaction have not been released but the two companies, which have been business partners since 1978 through Nakashima’s exclusive BMS distribution rights, will continue to operate under their existing identities.
“This is perfect timing for joining forces with Nakashima as they are market leader for propellers and we are market leader in high-efficiency rudders and energy saving devices,” declared Dirk Lehmann, BMS managing director, at an online press conference today.
Lehmann said that the combination of a Mewis Duct, a propeller and a rudder would enable the supply of a complete package. He said that Becker’s battery technology could also make a difference to Nakashima’s thruster designs as well as the development of propeller energy saving packages.
Takayoshi Nakashima, the propeller company’s President, said: “I am very pleased to announce this strategic partnership between Becker Marine Systems and Nakashima Propeller in Japan. Through this partnership, we will make a significant contribution to total optimisation for propulsive performance as well as manoeuvring performance during the entire lifecycle of the ship.
“We will provide a complete package and engineering services of propellers and different types of energy saving devices and rudders. I believe this partnership could bring new value to the market.”
Nakashima is a major supplier of propellers for ultra large container ships, but the companies have a wide-ranging target market. This includes container ships across the size ranges including feeder vessels, LNG carriers, roro’s and ferries. Tankers and bulk carriers will also be a focus, Lehmann said.
The tie-up comes at a timely moment in advance of an expected spell of renewed contracting and a pressing requirement for existing vessels to comply with new IMO regulations – EEXI and CII.
Lehmann noted that many ship operators are planning to derate ships’ engines as a means of complying with the new rules, but that this would often mean that engines and propellers were not properly coordinated. Likening it to starting off in fifth gear in a car, he said that a design package for retrofits, based on a vessel’s specific operation conditions, would ensure optimal performance, maximum emission savings and easier EEXI compliance.
