Fin propulsion revival
Conference/JournalMARIN Report 144
Date30 Jun 2025
Fin propulsion is experiencing a revival due to its high propulsive efficiency. In early 2025, MARIN successfully tested a new fully electric system – an ABB DynafinTM.
Vertical fin propulsors have been in operation since June 1931 when the first Voith Schneider Propulsor (VSP) was fitted to a ship (Jürgens 2002). Renowned for their superior manoeuvrability and roll-damping capabilities, VSPs were deployed widely over the years. And recently they have attracted attention again. Interest in fin propulsion has resurged, but this time with a focus on achieving exceptionally high efficiency through optimised fin motions.
Vertical fin propulsors have been in operation since June 1931 when the first Voith Schneider Propulsor (VSP) was fitted to a ship (Jürgens 2002). Renowned for their superior manoeuvrability and roll-damping capabilities, VSPs were deployed widely over the years. And recently they have attracted attention again. Interest in fin propulsion has resurged, but this time with a focus on achieving exceptionally high efficiency through optimised fin motions.
Contact
Jie Dang
senior project manager
Rene Bosman
senior specialist
Whale Tail Wheel
Inspired by these early studies, the Whale Tail Wheel (WTW) propulsion system was developed later at MARIN. Instead of vertical fins, this system consisted of horizontally placed fins spanning up to the ship’s width, rotating via orbit discs and following optimised trochoidal motions (Van Manen and Van Terwisga 1996). With its large propulsion area and low thrust loading, combined with low rotation rates to reduce viscous losses, the WTW achieved an impressive 84% open-water efficiency. Subsequent studies confirmed that it had better cavitation performance, noting that low thrust loading also minimised cavitation risks and enhanced practical applicability.
ABB DynafinTM scale model in the MARIN Concept Basin (2025)
MARIN | ABB Dynafin™
MARIN has verified that efficiency levels modeled for ABB Dynafin™ propulsion concept will convert to ship performance gains, following tests at our Concept Basin. The tests verify a high open water efficiency at 0.808 for 18 knots operation for propulsion unit in 3 MW in full scale. The enhanced efficiency correlates to substantial fuel savings and significantly lower ship emissions compared to conventional propulsion set-ups.
Tags
resistance and propulsion