Completed Materials & Manufacturing Clean Energy

Eco Boss Cap by Econavis Solutions Ltd

Funder InnovateUK (part of UKRI)
Recipient organisation Econavis Solutions Limited
Funding £300K
Period Feb 2025 — Jan 2026

In plain English

AI plain-English summary

A propeller cap with carefully placed holes is being designed to stop the formation of destructive underwater vortices that waste fuel on cargo ships. The problem is a phenomenon called propeller hub vortex cavitation. As a ship’s propeller spins, a low-pressure vortex forms behind the hub, causing bubbles to collapse violently against the rudder and hull. This eats into metal surfaces, increases drag, and forces engines to burn more fuel. Current boss cap designs do not eliminate this vortex efficiently. If the Eco Boss Cap works as designed, it could cut fuel consumption and reduce maintenance costs for the global shipping fleet. The cap neutralises the vortex by channelling water through pressure relief holes into an internal chamber, smoothing the flow behind the propeller. This directly lowers the energy lost to drag and reduces cavitation damage to the rudder and surrounding structures. The project will build and install the cap on a vessel from a major shipping company, then validate its performance against International Maritime Organization regulations. If successful, the device offers a retrofit solution that helps the maritime industry meet tightening emissions standards without replacing entire propulsion systems.

View original technical description
Eco Boss Cap (EBC) project by EcoNavis Solutions is an innovative solution aimed at improving marine propulsion efficiency. The EBC is a novel propeller boss cap designed to mitigate propeller hub vortex cavitation (PHVC), which significantly impacts fuel consumption and emissions in marine vessels. By incorporating strategically placed pressure relief holes and a main chamber, the EBC neutralizes PHVC, reducing drag and enhancing propeller efficiency. This project involves the design, manufacture, and installation of the EBC on a vessel from a major shipping company. Through advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and rigorous cavitation tunnel testing, the EBC has demonstrated the potential for up to 5% fuel savings and reduced maintenance costs by minimizing cavitation-induced wear on the rudder and surrounding structures The EBC's performance will be validated through numerical calculations and performance assessments, adhering to the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) regulations and class requirements. The validation process will include detailed ship specifications and performance assessments, culminating in class-certified performance validation reports. The Eco Boss Cap project aims to lead the way in marine propulsion efficiency, helping the maritime industry meet stringent environmental regulations. By enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions, the EBC offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for the global maritime sector.

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Related Research

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Composite material technology for next-generation Marine Vessel Propellers.

Original classification

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