An International Project from ITU: Gate Rudder

The first trials of the innovative propulsion and manoeuvring system named “Gate Rudder”, designed with the contributions of ITU, were carried out. Measurement and test results are successful.

Sea Trials of the GATERS European Union Horizon 2020 project, one of its important milestones, were held in January, on April 30, May 1 and 2 in Yalova Çınarcık, Marmara Sea. The principal investigator of the project on behalf of ITU is Faculty of Naval Architecture and Marine Sciences, Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering faculty member Prof. Dr. Emin Korkut.

The project coordinated by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Atlar and led by the University of Strathclyde from the United Kingdom (Scotland), is carried out by 18 stakeholders from 10 different countries, including ITU.

The Gate Rudder system was designed by Prof. Noriyuki Sasaki at ITU Ata Nutku Ship Model Testing Laboratory and Cavitation Tunnel (ITUCAT), CNR-INSEAN (Italy) and University of Strathclyde with significant contributions from ITU.

The first retrofit application of the system was installed on the "M/V ERGE", a cargo ship belonging to Turkish CAPA Shipping. As a result of the measurements and tests, it was seen that the Gate Rudder system provides more than 15% energy saving in fuel consumption compared to the conventional rudder system, reduces emissions, increases the maneuverability of the ship and reduces underwater noise levels by reducing cavitation and vibration characteristics. Thus, the Gate Rudder System was proven to be the next generation propulsion and steering system for ships.