The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) is partnering Teignbridge Propellers International Limited (TPIL) on a £3m project to develop a High Efficiency Propulsion System (HEPS) for ships.

One of Teignbridge's staples is its C-Foil marine propeller

One of Teignbridge's staples is its C-Foil marine propeller

This two-year project aims to develop a commercially-viable system that can retrofitted to most vessels to deliver a fuel efficiency benefit of greater than 8%.

David Duncan, the chairman of Teignbridge Propellers International Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have been selected for this technology development and demonstration project, it fits very well with the company's research and development strategy and plans. Teignbridge Propellers has an excellent engineering design team and a background of design development. The project will be helped by the use of the dedicated research test vessel presently under construction for Teignbridge Propellers."

The project is one of a number of demonstration projects the ETI is running which, it said, when used in combination could reduce fuel consumption by up to 30% and cut the carbon emissions from shipping in a cost effective manner.

The ETI recently published an insight which analyses the UK shipping fleet, the potential opportunities for ship owners and operators and identifies the most promising technologies, including HEPS, that could reduce fuel consumption economically.

Read the report Targeting a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency for marine vessels online at http://www.eti.co.uk/

Visit Teignbridge Propellers on stand PB53 at Seawork International 2017.

By Anne-Marie Causer