Local MAN Alpha CP Propeller Assembly and Test Facility Agreed for China

Short deliver times and greener footprints

The purpose of the new agreement is to expand the propeller business even more into the Chinese market by establishing a local CPP Assembly & Test facility. The target is to double the market share – and the plan is to start assembling the first systems in the middle of 2020.

Jan Zebitz, Head of Aft Ship & Propeller, said: “There are several reasons for us to move closer to the Chinese market. Businesswise, this setup will help us to fulfill the upcoming local content requirements in China. At the same time, our competitiveness for the MAN Alpha Propeller brand will increase since we will reduce our delivery time with up to 10 weeks for the Chinese market, and we expect quite a significant cost reduction when we have finalized a complete supply chain in China.”

He continued: “Already from day one, we will see shipping savings because we will not be buying components in China, which we ship to Denmark and then after tests - all the way back to our Chinese customers. From an environmental point of view, we will leave a greener footprint when avoiding the transportation between China and Denmark. Now finally, we have all the formal steps approved and now it´s time to make it real.”

Pitch ahead for China

Stjepan Kucifer, Managing Director MAN Energy Solutions, China Production, said: “It was clear to me that MAN Energy Solutions could gain an even better market position in China if we created a CPP Assembly & Test facility here in Changzhou. At the same time, I feel confident that this additional business segment will complement existing segments such as Turbomachinery, Turbocharger and RENK bearings production. In general, I am sure this step will contribute to the further development of MAN Changzhou and I am looking very much forward to seeing the first CPP system being delivered from our plant.”

Poul Knudsgaard, Head of Four Stroke Denmark, MAN Energy Solutions, said: “The cooperative spirit and the enthusiasm from all participants in this project has been truly amazing, making it a real pleasure to follow the project. I’m sure that this important step will enable the whole Aft Ship & Propeller team to increase our sales of MAN Alpha-branded products in the Chinese market.”

Propeller and propulsion competence center

MAN Alpha propellers and aft ship solutions are designed in Denmark and date all the way back to the 1902-production of the first CP Propeller-based propulsion package – and the first Alpha CPP with mechanical pitch control, which was patented in 1903.

Over the years, more than 7,000 propellers have been delivered for the propulsion of ships at all corners of the globe – operating under various and extreme environments ranging from tropical fresh water to ice-packed arctic climates, and the more ordinary and dominating trades in oceanic, coastal, inland waterway shipping or workboat services via shallow waters, lakes, channels, rivers and harbours.

Today, dedicated Propeller R&D departments with hydrodynamic, mechanical  experts and design engineers located in Frederikshavn and Copenhagen are cooperating with the world’s leading test tanks and research institutes for verification of performance optimization related to e.g. fuel savings, speed, efficiency, cavitation and noise.

System solutions for the entire engine portfolio  

The core portfolio of MAN Alpha CP Propeller and aft ship solutions integrates perfectly with the wide programme of MAN engine designs. Tailored propulsion solutions are available for individually optimized applications ranging e.g. from MAN high-speed-powered patrol boats and naval vessels, medium-speed-powered dredgers, container feeders and fishing vessels – to MAN B&W low-speed-powered Ro-Ro’s and tankers.

The associated Alphatronic 3000 Propulsion Control System controls both straightforward CP Propeller plants (and FP Propeller plants, which are not included in the above assembly and test agreement) and can be customized for various propulsion application combinations of single- and multi-propeller diesel-mechanical, hybrid or diesel-electric propulsion setups.