Scandlines expects the upgrade operation to add an additional ten years of service life to vessels originally delivered in 1980 and 1981.

The refit will give both Scandlines and MAN B&W an opportunity to conduct full scale tests and comparisons between the fuel saving Kappel propeller blades and conventional blades.

The Prins Joachim will be fitted with conventional blades while Kronprins Frederik will be fitted with Kappel blades.

Having two similar vessels operating on the same shuttle route will provide an excellent opportunity for propeller performance comparisons.

The new Kappel propeller configuration, with propeller diameters increased from the original 4.3m to 4.5m, will be absorbing 11,000kW per shaftline for a maximum ship speed of approximately 21 knots.

An important aspect of the new propeller design is the set of parameters for achieving high efficiency, reduction in pressure impulses to the hull, low noise and high manoeuvrability. CP propellers applying the Kappel hydrodynamic design give an indicative 3% to 5% increase in efficiency, which corresponds to a similar reduction in fuel consumption.

MAN B&W's Alphatronic 2000 PCS system will be tasked to manage the Propulsion Control for the propellers, which will each be powered by three main engines. Scandlines must anticipate that Kronprins Frederik will produce the better figures for it has taken an option for another eight spare Kappel blades to be retrofitted to Prins Joachim at a later date.

MJ Information No: 195113