Japanese propeller manufacturer Nakashima Propeller has bought a controlling stake in Hamburg-based Becker Marine Systems (BMS) after decades of co-operation.
The combined product portfolio of both companies will create a strong hydrodynamic system provider for propulsion and manoeuvring of ships of all sizes for shipyards and shipping companies worldwide, including ropax and cruise ships.
Propeller manufacturer Nakashima Propeller and BMS, a manufacturer of high-efficient rudders and energy-saving devices will now market each other’s technical solutions, either separately or as a complete package for the aft sections of medium-sized and large ship types.
“We have gotten to know Nakashima Propeller as a much respected and reliable partner through decades of co-operation,” said Dirk Lehmann and Henning Kuhlmann, joint BMS Managing Directors, “and because we are expert suppliers in the area in front of and behind the propeller with well-known products, such as the Becker Mewis Duct and the Becker Rudder family, the co-operation with the globally leading propeller manufacturer is, of course, a perfect fit.“
Both family owned companies will aim to be able to a co-ordinated set of innovative technologies in both the newbuilding and retrofit sectors.
The equipment on offer includes Nakashima’s propellers and bow thruster systems and Becker‘s manoeuvring systems, energy-saving devices and battery solutions. Wind sails are also on the cards.
Both companies also have computational fluid dynamics (CFD) departments, which will be used even more efficiently together, they said.
“Becker and Nakashima have been co-operatng since 1978. This time, we are pleased to enhance the strategic partnership with Becker Marine Systems through this agreement. I strongly believe that the relationship and trust which both families and management teams built over 40 years enables us to reach this agreement successfully.
“We will make a significant contribution to total optimisation for propulsive performance, as well as manoeuvring performance to our customers during entire lifecycle of ships.“ said Nakashima‘s President Takayoshi Nakashima.
There will initially be no change in the management of either company and more products aimed at greater ship efficiency will be developed jointly.
One are to be targeted is South Korean shipyards, as BMS already has a manufacturing site in China and Nakashima has agreements with Imabari, JMU and several Japanese shipowners.
Among the ship types to be targeted are ro-ros, ferries and cruise ships once the market picks up again, Lehmann said.
