Damen Marine Components Awarded Contract to Provide Energy-Efficient Steering Equipment for Chilean Navy’s Landing Platform Docks

Damen Marine Components has been awarded a contract by Wärtsilä to supply energy-efficient steering equipment to two Landing Platform Docks (LPD) for the Chilean Navy, currently under construction at the ASMAR shipyard. DMC will provide a range of highly energy-efficient equipment for the vessels, which will help in reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

The LPDs are part of the Escotillón IV project and will serve the dual purpose of enhancing Chile’s defense capabilities and supporting humanitarian operations. DMC will equip the two vessels with its Commander™ piston-type steering system, known for its compact and efficient design.

In addition to the steering system, DMC will supply two Atlantic rudders, which will include Silent Bulbs. The Silent Bulb is a fuel-saving device that minimizes the risk of cavitation on the rudder by reducing flow losses from the propeller, thereby extending the rudder’s lifecycle. Moreover, the Silent Bulb increases propeller thrust, enabling the vessel to sail at the required speed with significantly less power output.

Wim Knoester, DMC’s Sales and Marketing Director, expressed satisfaction with being awarded the contract and thanked Wärtsilä for their trust in DMC. He emphasized the important role these vessels will play in Chile and highlighted how the supplied equipment will enhance their efficiency, and performance, and reduce underwater noise, ultimately contributing to improved sustainability during operations.

Simon Riddle, General Manager of Marine Solutions/Navy at Wärtsilä, emphasized the combination of DMC’s energy-efficient rudders with the vessels’ high-efficiency propellers and fairing caps. The addition of the Silent Bulb to the rudders has shown reduced power requirements by 3-4% for the desired sailing speed, resulting in up to 1.5% fuel consumption reduction and considerably increased operational efficiency.