The dramatic increase in post-Panamax containership sizes is being reflected in ever larger rudders, according to Becker Marine Systems. The company said it was being called upon to upsize its twisted leading edge rudders in line with the push by shipowners beyond the 10,000TEU capacity watershed. Having already delivered 67m~2 rudders, Becker recently signed contracts and is designing rudders of 80.2m~2 for 10,000TEU container vessels under construction at DSME, which will be owned by NSB and CMA CGM, as well as 85m~2 rudders for a series of eight vessels at Samsung Heavy Industries for MSC. These full spade TLKSR Rudders have been specially designed to fulfill the demand of highspeed giant container vessels to avoid rudder-induced cavitation and are claimed to save up to 2% of propulsion energy. Becker said it was also expected that the new and larger rudders will show the same positive performance in slow speed manoeuvrability as reported from masters of vessels with 67m~2 rudders.
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