The O-foil is a new propulsion system offering huge benefits to inland navigation. A wide, movable wing as an alternative for the conventional marine propeller, cuts fuel costs by 33 to 50 per cent. At the Maritime Awards Gala on 8 November, O-foil's developer Bas Goris won the VNSI Wim Timmersprijs for this new technology.
Bas Goris was supposed to receive the award from the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment, Melanie Schultz van Haegen. However, as she had cancelled, the award was now presented by jury chairman prof.ir. J.J. Hopman.
O-Foil Technology
The O-foil has been developed by OFD b.v. and validated by Marin and NRC-IOT (Canada). O-foil stands for “oscillating foil”, in other words: a flapping wing. This patented technology is based on the natural swimming motions of animals. The wing generates propulsion by creating lift in the water, just like the conventional screw propeller. But unlike the screw propeller, the O-foil wing covers the entire width of the ship. As a result, the propulsion surface is much larger. This will result in a 50 per cent increase in efficiency and cuts fuel consumption. The O-foil also reduces CO2 emissions.
Nominated
Together with the TU Delft and Damen Shipyards, Peter Madlener developed the sandwich panel connection design for composite ship hulls. The benefits are cost reduction, time reduction and a higher composite quality.
About the VNSI Wim Timmersprijs
The VNSI Timmersprijs focuses on the way a design or parts of ships’ systems come into being. Eligible for the award are for example an original design method for a specific ship type or a ship’s system, a new propulsion system setup, an improved hull form, a new method to quickly create possible layouts that comply with stability requirements, prediction methods for noise and vibration, weight or costs, a model for economic analysis, etc. During a Design Congress a maximum of five designers will present their entry. At the end of the congress two nominees will be announced.
This was the seventh edition of the Maritime Awards Gala. The even took took place at the Cruise Terminal Rotterdam.
