PROPELLER BLADE SURFACE POLISHING Propeller blade polishing

When marine growth accumulates on a propeller’s surface or surface roughness increases due to aging, propeller efficiency lowers and fuel consumption increases. To lower fuel consumption, fuel-saving polishing, where propeller blades are polished to reduce blade roughness, is effective.

Decrease of Ship speed

The fuel efficiency of the ship begins to fall immediately after going on service. This is caused by secular distortion of main engine and bigger resistance caused by rougher surface on hull and propeller. In some vessel types, its speed downs abt. 0.3-0.5 knot in 10 years after going on service.

Fuel Improvement

The propeller efficiency recovers about 3.5% with Nakashima's own developed ECO Polishing. Using our special polishing tool, roughness of propeller surface can be improved from 50μRz to 15μRz. Consequently approx. 0.2 knots can be expected.

Fuel-saving polishing procedures

Polishing in dry-dock (Polishing can be performed with the propeller attached on the shaft)
Polishing underwater (Polishing can be performed when the ship is anchored or when loading or unloading cargo)