GATE RUDDER™ by Wärtsilä reduces a vessel’s fuel consumption by replacing the drag of a traditional rudder system with a thrust-generating arrangement. The arrangement also provides excellent manoeuvring capabilities and improves the noise and vibration signature. Placing the high-lift rudder foils on either side of the propeller enables turning at higher speeds, faster course changes and quicker crash stops.
Wärtsilä’s collaborative partnership with Kuribayashi Steamship Co., Ltd. will accelerate the deployment of gate rudder technology across many vessel classes. The combination of Wärtsilä’s propulsion and machinery integration expertise and the Japanese patent holder’s gate rudder technology and know-how will enable ship owners throughout the marine sector to benefit from the technology concept.