Bulk carriers, tankers and container vessels are the three largest groups of vessels within the merchant fleet and, therefore, these market segments deserve great attention.
Depending on the size of the bulk carriers, these may be divided into the following main sizes:
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Small
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Handysize
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Handymax
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Panamax
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Capesize
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VLBC – Very Large Bulk Carrier
The demand for raw materials like coal, steel, copper, etc., has increased considerably since the turn of the millennium, especially as consequence of the globalisation and the great demand for raw materials in China, owing to the economic growth in this large country.
Also for bulk carrier propulsion there is a continuing demand for propeller designs for achieving the highest possible energy efficiency. In turn, this leads to demands for low speeds of directly coupled two-stroke engines used for propulsion, while also reducing the emissions foot print compared to the past.
The reliability, the versatility and the fuel efficiency of the main propulsion engine used is therefore of paramount importance.