6 - Engine and plant selection

Abstract

This chapter discusses the importance of choosing a propulsion engines and the most suitable plant configuration for a given new-building or retrofit project. It summarizes several key factors that influence the choice of an engine. Some of the factors are capability to burn heavy fuel of poor quality without detrimental impact on the engine components and hence maintenance/spares costs, the maintenance workload, suitability for unattended operation by exploiting automated controls and monitoring systems, propulsive efficiency, size and weight of the propulsion machinery, and cost of the engine. Significant economic and technical benefits in ship design, construction and operation can be achieved through electric podded propulsors. A podded propulsor (or pod) incorporates its electric drive motor in a hydrodynamically-optimized submerged housing that can be fully rotated with the propeller(s) to secure 360° azimuthing and thrusting capability. The pods offer freedom that is more creative for ship designers as the propulsors and the prime movers require no direct physical connection.