FuTube, the complete shaft line solution package
The shaft line sits at the core of a ship and is crucial to a vessel’s operation. Any issues with shaft line equipment can render a newbuild vessel off-hire during its warranty period following delivery from the shipyard.
The selection of shaft line equipment that preserves an ideal shaft line throughout a vessel’s entire lifespan is vital not only for the ship operator, but also for the shipyard. If shaft line damage was to occur when a newbuild vessel is within its warranty period, a claim would be raised, and a financial penalty would be incurred by the responsible shipyard. Shaft line equipment failure, or misalignment represents a high risk for a shipyard since a claim against a damaged shaft line would negatively impact the profitability of a newbuilding project and also the shipyard’s reputation.
Traditional approaches to the procurement of shaft line equipment by a shipyard for new building projects leaves shipyards at risk of selecting inadequate shaft line equipment, and/or inadequate combinations of equipment for a shaft line. This is due to the presence of multiple shaft line solutions from multiple equipment suppliers in the market. Selecting the best, fit-for-purpose equipment to achieve the ideal shaft line for a newbuild, on a vessel-by-vessel basis, while maintaining profitability can be a hard task for any shipyard.
However, the procurement of shaft line equipment can be simplified by appointing one company to provide a complete shaft line solution comprising all equipment from one individual supplier. This scenario is now a reality with Wärtsilä Shaft Line Solutions and the new modular shaft line equipment package, FuTube.
FuTube: a story of listening and learning
FuTube was launched in March 2024 and developed based on extensive end user feedback and an approach by Wärtsilä to re-route traditional approaches to the procurement of shaft line equipment by shipyards and enabling end users to specify individual SLS makers for newbuilding projects.
The development of the FuTube SLS package started in 2017 when Wärtsilä Shaft Line Solutions embarked on a project to listen to and learn from the industry. The aim was to develop a new offering that comprises Wärtsilä’s entire portfolio of shaft line equipment in one complete package.
Offering a comprehensive package that can be acquired in its entirety or as individual products, provides flexibility to tailor solutions to each customer’s specific needs.
End user feedback gathered across 3,800 responses moulded the SLS package development. Through end users grading SLS aspects on positive business impact versus negative business impact, Wärtsilä could pinpoint end user pain points. These pain points were identified by layering aspects where the negative impact of a damaging scenario is high and the need for a solution is high. Pain points were taken into R&D activities to develop the new package solution in cross-collaboration between Wärtsilä’s International teams.
Based on the feedback collected, the resounding and encouraging consensus is that, although the current state suffices for our operations, embracing these improvements would undoubtedly elevate our performance and effectiveness. The overarching three principal
needs from end users were lowering operational costs, making the life of the crew easier and avoiding damages that stop vessels from operating.
Modular components for a complete package
FuTube, as a modular SLS package, incorporates all Wärtsilä shaft line technologies.
The Evotube System, a robust, eco-friendly system with a compact design that maximizes cargo space. It supports both oil and water lubrication systems and enables easy transitions between them, ensuring future-proofing for vessels.
The Intellisafe Bearing, a revolutionary smart bearing with advanced sensors and real-time analytics. It proactively responds to adverse conditions, preventing failures, and reducing downtime and costs for clients.
A 10 year AirGuard Seal, an evolution with extended maintenance intervals, cutting costs and promoting sustainability in maritime operations.
Shaft Line Monitoring Equipment which delivers real-time insights into the shaft line’s operational health. By monitoring key parameters such as shaft movements and vibrations, it enables proactive maintenance and early issue detection. This prevents breakdowns, optimizing shaft line performance.
During the development phase, all the individual shaft line technologies were assembled on a test rig at the Wärtsilä Shaft Line Solutions factory site in Spain. This test rig was meticulously designed to replicate real-world scenarios and rigorously validate performance and reliability.
Supporting shipayrds to select the best shaft line equipment
In creating an SLS package, Wärtsilä is positively disrupting traditional approaches to shaft line equipment procurement by the shipyard which starts with the end user specifying a shaft line equipment maker for a newbuilding project.
Currently, it is standard practice for shipowners to write ship specifications but not to specify the shaft line maker. The shipyard chooses the shaft line equipment maker based on price, considering all makers and shaft lines as standard. Finally, the ship manager is the stakeholder in the chain, who buys the shaft line equipment, spares, and services during aftersales.
However, in launching FuTube onto the market, Wärtsilä is making the procurement of complete shaft line solutions as simple as possible by ensuring that an entire shaft line solutions package can be procured from them, as a SLS maker, by the shipyard following a request from the ship owner.
Simplifying shaft line equipment use
Ship design and operation technologies have evolved over the years, creating greater efficiencies and extended lifespans for shaft line equipment. Wärtsilä Shaft Line Solutions have significantly advanced innovation in this technology field, fuelled by insight on market needs collected from end users in a systematic way.
In supporting ship yards and end users to simplify the selection of shaft line equipment for newbuild projects, Wärtsilä is supporting the industry to minimise disruptions caused by shaft line damages, offhire costs, and negative environmental impacts. With the introduction of the FuTube SLS package, end users can simplify shaft lines even further by selecting a complete package of solutions from one provider only that can access Wärtsilä’s global servicing and support network that operates in 75 countries. By supplying products for the whole shaft line, from seals and bearings to couplings, stern tubes and condition monitoring systems, it possible for an entire propulsion system to be delivered at the new building stage and fully serviced throughout a vessel’s lifetime by Wärtsilä.
