2021 RINA – QinetiQ Maritime Innovation Award

The Maritime Innovation Award, which is presented in conjunction with QinetiQ to an individual or organisation,  recognises outstanding scientific or technological research in the areas of hydrodynamics, propulsion, structures, and material, and which offers the potential to make significant improvements in the design, construction and operation of marine vessels and structures. The 2021 Award was presented to Dr. Noriyuki Sasaki.

THE 2021 RINA – QINETIQ MARITIME INNOVATION AWARD

The 2021 Maritime Innovation Award was presented to Dr. Noriyuki Sasaki, visiting Professor at Strathclyde University, for the Development of the Gate Rudder System which has demonstrated not only to improve the manoeuvring capabilities of the system but also achieve significant performance gains, 18% reduction in power, up to 30% fuel saving in normal operation as well a reduction of emitted noise.

In terms of the worldwide exploitation of the technology, Wärtsilä has acquired the Licence for future development, sales and servicing of the gate rudders in 2020 in agreement with Dr. Sasaki and other patent holders that includes Kuribayashi Steamship Co, Kamome Propeller, the National Institute of Maritime, Port and Aviation Technology (NIMPAT, Japan) and Yamanaka Shipbuilding. Moreover, in 2021, European Union has awarded GATE Rudder System as a Retrofit for the Next Generation Propulsion and Steering of Ships (GATERS) project under the framework of Horizon 2020. The GATERS project is in the process of demonstrating first retrofit application of Gate Rudder System on a European Coastal Ship. The GATERS project has designed and tank tested the Gate Rudder System for their target vessel Erge. The preliminary towing tank self propulsion analysis of the designed system has shown more than 10% power reduction from the towing tank tests. Detailed voyage monitoring and sea trials before and after the installation of the Gate Rudder System, which is planned for the first half of the 2023, will be conducted to validate the claimed savings

Dr. Noriyuki Sasaki is indeed a worthy recipient of the RINA – QinetiQ Maritime Innovation Award.