VICUSdt has designed the low-noise propeller for the new 74.5-meter oceanographic research vessel commissioned by the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and designed by Skipsteknisk. The vessel is currently under construction at Gondan Shipyard in Spain. Our sister company, Baliño from Vigo, is responsible for the design and manufacturing of the complete shafting system, while VICUSdt handled the hydrodynamic design of the propeller and related shafting calculations. Other key contributors to the propulsion system include INDAR and TSI. The propeller has a 3.6-meter diameter, powered by 3000 kW, and meets DNV ICE C class standards.
Designing propellers for oceanographic research vessels presents unique challenges due to strict requirements for minimizing underwater radiated noise. These vessels must operate silently to ensure optimal performance of hull-mounted acoustic sensors, requiring propellers to run cavitation-free across a wide range of speeds while avoiding strong tip vortices.
For this project, VICUSdt leveraged advanced CFD tools, including “behind” condition optimization via RANSE simulations and a CFD cavitation model.
With extensive expertise in designing silent propellers, VICUSdt has now contributed to seven oceanographic research vessels, six of which meet the stringent ICES 209 underwater noise standards.
