Becker Marine Systems’ R&D team has always focused on ship propulsion improvement in order to save fuel and reduce the emission of NOx and CO2.

The Mewis Duct® is an elegant and simple optimizer for vessels with high block coefficient. It reduces the propulsion power by optimizing the water flow. The duct and special fins con­centrate and pre-swirl the water stream towards the propeller, greatly enhancing the effi­ciency of both the propeller and the rudder. The Mewis Duct® saves at least 4% of fuel for these types of vessels, has no moving parts and is suitable both for new­buildings or retrofits. Combined with a Becker Rudder, the propulsion improvement and fuel saving is further enhanced, saving up to 8% of fuel.

In general, the return on investment will be less than two years.

The reliable and sturdy concept with fuel saving guarantee for suitable vessels offers significant benefits for the environment by reducing the emission of NOx and CO2. The Mewis Duct® is specifically designed for large vessels with high block coefficient CB and high propeller thrust coefficient CTH (e.g. Tanker, Bulker, Tugs, MPC, Fishery).




How does it work?

The wake field of bulky and full ships with high block co-efficient reduces the propulsion efficiency of the propeller. The water inflow has such an unfavourable characteristic that the propeller does not get enough water. The Mewis Duct® harmonizes and stabilizes the flow and generates a consistent load distribution on the propeller blades.

The integrated fins have a stator effect by generating a preswirl in counterdirection of the propeller operation, this generates a higher load on the propeller and therefore more thrust. The fins are asymmetrically profiled and arranged to generate a perfectly homogenous flow distribution.

Consequent propulsion improvement can only be achieved if several aspects of hydroynamic performance are taken into account. The combination of the Mewis Duct® with a corresponding Becker Rudder dramatically increases the efficiency of the system by means of wake field optimization and less rudder resistance at improved manoeuvring perfomance.

The Becker bundle: Propulsion optimization in front as well as behind the propeller.