Japanese propeller manufacturer Nakashima Propeller and German Becker Marine Systems say they are expanding their strategic partnership after decades of cooperation. The companies state that their combined product portfolio creates a strong hydrodynamic system provider for propulsion and maneuvering of ships of all sizes for shipyards and shipping companies worldwide. As part of the strengthened partnership, Nakashima is taking a majority stake in Becker.
As its name suggests, Nakashima Propeller specializes in propellers and Becker Marine Systems in highly efficient rudders and maritime energy-saving devices. Thus, the companies can offer efficient combined systems for ships of all sizes.
“We have got to know Nakashima Propeller as a much-respected and reliable partner through decades of cooperation,” said Dirk Lehmann and Henning Kuhlmann, the two managing directors at Becker Marine Systems. “Because we are an expert supplier 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 cooperation with the globally leading propeller manufacturer is, of course, a perfect fit.”
The companies’ stated aim is to offer a well-coordinated set of technologies in the newbuilding and retrofit sectors. This includes Nakashima’s propellers and bow thruster systems and Becker’s maneuvering systems, energy-saving devices and battery solutions. Both companies also have state-of-the-art computational fluid dynamics (CFD) departments, which will be used even more efficiently together.
“Becker and Nakashima started their cooperation in 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 that both families and management teams have built over 40 years have enabled us to reach this agreement successfully. We will make a significant contribution to total optimization for propulsive performance as well as maneuvering performance for our customers during the entire lifecycle of ships,” concluded Nakashima’s president Takayoshi Nakashima.
