Technical art crafting in

Santierul Naval Constanta S.A. (Constanta Shipyard)

For those involved in shipping (sailors, ship-builders, ship repairers) it is a well-known fact that the ship’s propeller is a vital component to ensure the moving of the vessel and her maneuverability.

Unfortunately, while ships are trading, the propellers may suffer damages due to harsh sailing conditions (bad weather, icy, shallow rocky waters, etc).

If this is the case, there is the moment when a shipyard with large experience in ship-repairs will intervene in rebuilding the affected propeller and saving an important amount of money for the Owners, as a new propeller is not a cheap stuff and – most important – is not a stock item, so supplying time may affect the ship’s idle time.

During the month of May 2025, a case like this was challenging the team of Constanta Shipyard and a sustainable effort of a complex team starting with ship’s superintendent, ship’s contract manager, designers, technical staff and - last but not least - the hull & steel workshop team, was rewarded by a complete refurbished propeller of a 52000 Dwt bulk carrier.

A brief description of the case:

   Propeller: 4 blades solid aerofoil section, diameter & pitch: 5.70 & 3.956

   Damages: all 4 propeller’s tips parts missing/ bended areas / extensive ruptured + cavities on each blade;

   Technological steps undergone:

- remove from the ship’s tailshaft, while in dock;

- transport to shipyard’s workshop;

-shaping propeller blade tips (new parts provided by the Client);

- follow the repairs & welding procedure as recommended by the propeller’s maker ( NAKASHIMA PROPELLER Co. Ltd, Japan);

- dye-check & polishing the propeller’s blades;

- balancing the repaired propeller;

- transport back from the workshop to the dock and fitting back on the tailshaft;

Although it was a repair period of about 3 weeks, considering the extent of the damages, the difficulties in shaping the new delivered tips with the existing blades, as well as the timing related to technological steps, at the end we have delivered to the Client a like-a-new propeller ready to safely move the vessel to her new commercial commitments.