Objectives
The overall objective of GATERS is to exploit the potential benefits and hence impact of the Gate Rudder System (GRS) on shipping operations at two levels and mainly for the “Retrofit” application of the GRS on ships. The first level is across the range of European Short Sea Shipping (SSS) operations by demonstrating the application and impact on an existing general cargo ship which will be fitted with the GRS and operated.
The second level is to demonstrate its implementation and impact through wider ship types at the concept exploration level, including the Oceangoing Shipping (OS) operations. The combination of both applications will demonstrate if the GRS can be the next generation of propulsion and steering system for green waterborne transport.
Within this framework, the specific and measurable objectives of the GATERS are listed as follows:
- To investigate the current and further technical challenges of the Gate Rudder System (GRS) and to establish the best practice of application as the most cost-effective retrofit system for the representative European Short Sea Shipping (SSS) and the Oceangoing Shipping (OS) operations by using a combination of the computational, experimental and full-scale procedures.
- To design a retrofit GRS at a detailed design level, to manufacture and install on the coastal target cargo vessel. Hence, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the GRS on the target vessel through comprehensive sea trials and voyage monitoring as well as its impact on the existing IMO regulations (i.e. EEDI, EEOI and Minimum power requirements) and the Life Cycle Cost (LCC).
- To assess the overall impact of the retrofit GRS applications to major ship types for the European SSS operations and the Oceangoing Shipping (OS) operations on the existing (IMO) regulations and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) for both individual vessels as well as the fleet-level services.
The above aim and objectives will provide two levels of results for the GRS applications, which will complement each other to cover the European SSS and the Oceangoing Shipping (OS) operations. With the full demonstration of the best “retrofit” practice, GATERS will deliver the full potential of this innovative system for significantly reduced environmental impact on the European coasts/urban areas/ports with the attractive Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) for the European SSS operations. With the concept exploration of the GRS application on broader ship types and Oceangoing Shipping (OS) profiles, GATERS will also provide the guidance and confidence to extend the potential implementation of this technology beyond the short sea shipping (SSS) as the next generation propulsion and steering systems for the waterborne transport.
Impact
- The retrofit solution for GRS will directly improve the vessels performance in energy efficiency.
- Anticipated 10% fuel saving in calm weather conditions and up to 15% in-service conditions in comparison to conventional rudder systems.
- Improved hydrodynamic performance from the GRS which doesn’t rely on any specific engine, fuel, or power source.
- Reduction in CO2, SOX, NOX, and PM emission figures proportionately based on the fuel consumption reduction figures.
- Superior steering: offers the possibility of complex manoeuvring without the need for support vessel or stern thruster.
- Reduction of noise and vibration: positive environmental impact of the GRS associated with improvements of the aft-end vibrations, cavitation and reduced underwater radiated noise.
- Shorelines and seabed friendly: less hull wash generation in comparison to the conventional rudder system. This is particularly important when the vessel is operating over shallow waters, including coastal regions and harbour areas to avoid potential damage to the seabed and the shorelines.
- Safe Operation-Performance in waves: improved performance and reduced roll motions due to favourable keel damping effect and ducted propulsion effect of GRS.