Selecting the most suitable propeller systems for cargo vessels operating at speeds above 10 knots by using intuitionistic fuzzy TOPSIS approach

Abstract

Propeller technology has radically transformed ship mobility since the 19th century. The evolution of modern propellers began with the discovery of steam power and has led to complex engineering solutions that enhance the efficiency of maritime transport. The choice of propeller has a critical impact on a ship's performance. This paper aims to determine the most suitable propeller systems for vessels such as tankers, dry cargo vessels, chemical tankers, container vessel operating at speeds above 10 knots. The types of propellers analyzed include fixed pitch propellers, controllable pitch propellers, ducted propellers, Grim Vane wheels, propeller-stator systems, and Z-Drive units. Every propeller system is assessed according to a number of parameters such as high thrust power, high maneuverability, initial investment cost, maintenance and repair costs, construction ease or difficulty, operational or usage ease or difficulty, breakdown risk during the voyage, and an increase in total propulsion efficiency. The selection process utilizes the intuitive fuzzy TOPSIS method, which ranks alternatives based on their similarity to an ideal solution. The IF-TOPSIS method was applied to determine the most suitable propeller types among six alternatives. The closeness scores were as follows: Fixed Pitch Propeller (0.120), Controllable Pitch Propeller (−0.028), Z-Drive Units (−0.073), Propeller Stator System (−0.080), Ducted Propeller (−0.085), and Grim Vane Wheel (−0.162). These scores indicate that the Fixed Pitch Propeller significantly outperformed the others in terms of operational efficiency and reliability, while the Grim Vane Wheel consistently ranked the lowest under off-design conditions.