(With videos) The Rhenus Duisburg, the new barge combination from shipping company Rhenus PartnerShip, is the first ship outfitted with the Van der Velden Flex Tunnel.
The ship was named Friday, 14 August in Duisburg.
Efficiency Advantages
The Rhenus Duisburg has been put through extensive tests and trials and much data has been collected so as to establish the ultimate efficiency of the Van der Velden Flex Tunnel. The system offers advantages for barges in terms of speed, capacity, propulsion, manoeuvrability and fuel economy.
Flex Tunnel
The Flex Tunnel is an innovative fold-tunnel system designed specifically for inland waterways. Fitted with conventional tunnels, loaded barges sail in deep water for an average of eighty per cent of the time. Then the use of a tunnel system is unnecessary and leads to additional resistance, with reduced propulsion and therefore higher fuel consumption. Van der Velden’s Tunnel system is only used when the vessel is unloaded or in shallow water.
The difference between the Flex Tunnel and conventional tunnel systems lies in the fact that the Flex Tunnel makes it possible to sail without tunnels in deep water, such as the ARA area. In fixed tunnels, which are installed on most vessels, this is impossible. Navigating without tunnels vastly reduces the resistance, and this in turn provides better fuel economy.
Flex Tunnel in three positions.
Innovative in all areas
Van der Velden has also focused on improving the speed whilst using tunnels. The Flex Tunnel ensures that enough water, without air bubbles is channelled towards the propeller. The tunnel has an airtight seal on the jet tubes, which allows larger propeller diameters to be used. The possibilities in the field of hull design are also increased, as fixed tunnels are no longer necessary. This allows further hydrodynamic optimisation. Through the application of the Flex Tunnel the entire design can be tailored to the operational profile and the area where the ship will operate.
The Flex Tunnel system is also one of the four candidates for the Maritime Innovation Award 2015, which will be presented at the Maritime Awards Gala on 2 November this year.
Push-Barge Combination
The German shipping company Rhenus PartnerShip have asked the Development Centre for Ship Technology and Transport Systems, to develop a push-barge combination for transporting coal from Rotterdam, the Netherlands to Lünen, Germany. The vessel will travel with one or more linked barges, but also has to be able to travel along the Rhine with two extra barges on the sides.
Navigation Tests
During the Rhenus Duisburg trials, the Flex Tunnel proved to be fully functional. The reduced resistance on the ship at the collapse of the tunnel system yielded a fuel saving of approximately ten per cent, whilst sailing in deep water with full loads. Apart from the Flex Tunnel, Rhenus PartnerShip has also opted for the use of the friction reducing Van der Velden Dolphin XR++ rudder. This is combined with matching spoilers and a trim plate.
In the following months more tests will be conducted, which will test the performance of operating with full loads in shallow water and how the Flex Tunnel reacts to empty ballast, in both deep and shallow water.
Below two videos: one of the christening of the Rhenus Duisburg, in which much attention is paid to the Flex Tunnel and one which is an animation that shows the workings of the Flex Tunnel.
