Japan’s Imabari Shipbuilding has developed the Aero-Citadel, a newly designed superstructure that couples energy efficiency with anti-piracy measures.
Imabari’s Aero-Citadel superstructure has a slim, streamlined shape that combines the ship’s accommodations, engine room, and exhaust stack casing.
Developed with the help of wind tunnel testing, the Aero-Citadel will be subject to 25-30 percent less wind pressure than a conventional superstructure during navigation. In the case of a Cape size bulk carrier, that translates into a decrease of about 2 percent in fuel consumption at normal engine output, with about 9 m/sec (Beaufort 5) head wind.
New marine use LED lighting is also used in the accommodation and engine room lighting system, which reduces electric power consumption used for lighting by about 50 percent.
The slim, streamlined shape makes it easy to turn the bow of the ship toward windward during anchorage, and decrease the risk of anchor dragging.
All stairs are placed inside the superstructure as an anti-piracy measure, the entrance on lower level deck has thicker, reinforced steel doors. The accommodation windows are bulletproof, and water cannons are placed on the upper deck to prevent pirates entry into the accommodation structure.
A citadel facility provides a refuge area in the superstructure that can accommodate all crewmembers for several days, protected by double-layer security doors.
The facility is also equipped with:
The accommodation design also includes features in accordance with the SOLAS MLC2006 requirements which will come into effect in thenear future, such as strengthened noise insulation and vibration counter measure. Improved living conditions for crewmembers are provided and the wheelhouse has a widened rearward view for safer navigation.
May 8, 2012
