Grade 12 – Maritime Economics

November 23, 2016

Modern Steamships

From the earlier steam turbine vessels where coal was the fuel, oil-fired boilers generate the steam that turns the turbines. This principle has been in use since the 1920s, but modified greatly so that propulsion by steam turbine is now more efficient, and remains a propulsion type used in some […]
November 24, 2016

The Change from Steamships to Motorships

The use of the internal combustion engine in ships was introduced in the early 1900s, and the Royal Dutch Shell tanker Vulcanus (built 1910) was probably the first motorship. One of the leading shipyards to design and build motorships was William Doxford at Sunderland in Britain. In 1906, the Doxford yard […]
November 25, 2016

Diesel-electric propulsion system

This system involves generators producing electricity that drives an electric motor unit that turns the propeller shaft or other propulsion device such as azipods (see below). The system that drives most multi-directional tugs uses a modification of this system whereby the electric propulsion system drives the so-called “paddle-wheels” that create […]
November 25, 2016

Nuclear Power in Ships

Although it was tried in the American freighter Savannah and in the German ship Otto Hahn, nuclear power is not used by merchant ships as it is too expensive to install, the nuclear scientists that would be needed to operate the nuclear reactor on board are very scarce and very […]
November 25, 2016

Recent developments in marine propulsion

SkySails wind propulsion system   Engine, hull and propeller design More efficient engines are key to effective propulsion and therefore to fuel saving that ultimately saves money and promotes anti-pollution measures. The shape of a ship’s hull is important in determining how well she passes through the water in terms […]