Importance of periodical examination and maintenance of propellers for ensuring seaworthiness of cargo vessels
Keywords:
seaworthiness, propeller, periodical survey, maintenance.
Abstract
A vessel as defined by COLREG, is operating in international waters with the assumption that it complies with international conventions adopted by the Flag Administration where it has been registered. In this regard vessels are periodically evaluated by Classification Societies recognised by the Flag, which are confirming fitness for operation of the vessel hull, installation, machinery and equipment. This is also the case of the vessel`s propeller, a vital component responsible for moving the ship, thereby directly contributing to its sea worthiness. Propeller and Shaft are subject to periodical surveys, where different type of assessment is carried out in connection with the vessel age, CSSC Certificate cycle and operational parameters. Any malfunction of the propeller is to be identified in due time and to be rectified by approved procedures in order to avoid unwanted casualty in operation.
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References
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[23] US NTSB, " MIR-24-11 Loss of Propulsion aboard Containership Maunalei", 2024.
[2] P. Zhang, E. Phillips, “Safety first: Reconstructing the concept of seaworthiness under the maritime labour convention 2006”, Marine Policy 67, 2016
[3] IMO, SOLAS Code, Consolidated Edition, 2018.
[4] A. V. Padovan, "The elements of seaworthiness in the context of marine insurance revisited", Book of proceedings of the 4th international scientific conference on maritime law – ISCML, Split, 2023.
[5] LR, Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, United Kingdom, Part 1 Section 3, 2025.
[6] DNV-GL. Rules for Classification, Norway, Part 7, Fleet in service Chapter 2 Periodical surveys, 2025.
[7] RINA. Rules for the Classification of Ships, Italy, Part A, Section 2 Maintenance of Class, 2025.
[8] Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships, Japan, Part B, Chapter 1, 2025.
[9] IACS, UR Z21 Surveys of Propeller Shafts and Tube Shafts, Rev. 4, 2015.
[10] P. Bielawski, “Diagnostics of marine propeller shafts” Journal of Polish CIMAC, 2011.
[11] Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, “Technical Information No. TEC-1277” 2022.
[12] IACS, UR Z3 Periodical Survey of the Outside of the Ship`s Bottom and Related Items, Rev. 8 2019.
[13] Z. Wang, T. Wu, L. Wang, P. Hu, W. Luo, “Impact of barnacle attachment on near-field flow and hydrodynamic performance of marine propellers” Ocean Engineering 342, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2025.122960, 2025.
[14] Hydrex Group, "Ship propeller maintenance - Optimum Solutions", White paper no. 10, 2012.
[15] N. Guo, Y. Gao, Y. Gao, X. Gu, X. Liu, S. Zhang, Y. Fu., “Microstructure and properties of in-situ nickel aluminum bronze coating by underwater wire-feed laser cladding” Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 25:64596471,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.07.100 , 2023.
[16] L. Li, Y. Qiao, L. Zhang, A. Ma, R. Ma, Y. Zheng, "Understanding the Corrosion Behavior of Nickel–Aluminum Bronze Induced by Cavitation Corrosion Using Electrochemical Noise: Selective Phase Corrosion and Uniform Corrosion", Materials, 16, 669, https://doi.org/10.3390/ma160206692023, 2023.
[17] J. Chmiel, "Cavitation-corrosion wear phenomena on CuMnAl ship propeller blades after welding and casting repairs", Maritime University of Szczecin, Faculty of Transport Engineering and Economics, Szczecin, Poland, 2006.
[18] J. Carlton, "Marine Propellers and Propulsion - Fourth edition", Butterworth Heinemann, ISBN: 978-0-08-100366-4", 2019.
[19] IACS, "UR W24 Cast Copper Alloy Propellers", Rev. 5, 2023.
[20] R. Babu, E. Junghans, I. Andersen, Y. Lin, R. Lindstrom, "Additive manufactured marine component – Ni Al bronze propeller" Procedia Structural Integrity 34, 2021.
[21] G.C. Iatan, D.C. Cuculea, G. Ardelean, E.M. Stanciu, A. Pascu, "Optimisation of Pulsed Laser Cladding for Reconditioning of Ni-Al-Bronze (NAB) Marine Propeller", Materials, 18, 4301, https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18184301, 2025.
[22] USCG Ninth Coast Guard District, "Findings of concern 003-23", Cleveland, OH, 2023.
[23] US NTSB, " MIR-24-11 Loss of Propulsion aboard Containership Maunalei", 2024.
Published
2025-12-13
How to Cite
1.
Iatan G, Pascu A. Importance of periodical examination and maintenance of propellers for ensuring seaworthiness of cargo vessels. Annals of ”Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati. Fascicle XI Shipbuilding [Internet]. 13Dec.2025 [cited 15Dec.2025];48:119-26. Available from: https://www.gup.ugal.ro/ugaljournals/index.php/fanship/article/view/9446
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