What a fricken giant compared to our Great Lakes Bulk carriers and I thought most of them were huge.

Thank you everyone for the nice compliments.
On my site http://scheepsspotter.punt.nl/ # 580881 There are more pictures (including the screw operations) of this particular ship.
You will see clearly that the screw is provided with the blue coating.

Hi,
somewhere I read something about this : http://pbcf.motech.co.jp/index.html

Capt Ted, Patalavaca, holedrille...Thank you!
For your further info, I have more wider explained the application of the SILICONE BASED paint, but for application on the ship's hull.
This explanation is contained under may comments (2) for the ship POLAR ENDEAVOR, photo added on Oct 14,2012.

Holedriller
ships over 15000 GT seldom have pitch props already for the size of it.(specialised in the oil industry for example bigger ones might have) Heard before from a propeller guy that the size gets too big and the forces during operation created through the rotation will destroy the whole prop/shaft assembly. Also economically viewed, a ship like this and any other big vessel with only a few ports a year, a pitch propeller is a rather expensive investment and therefore must be used often for it,s purpose, maneuvering in ports, when possible with no tugs,,which is in the case of bulkers and such not possible,special when they are handsize and bigger.

Really helpful, Jadran.
Anyone know what they are doing to the propellor? A shot on another forum appeared to show them working on the hub or retaining feature, whatever that may be. I presume one this size is not going to be variable pitch.
Holedriller

An excellent photo perspective, and thank you Jadran for the interesting information on propellor painting. I never knew that.
It's always good to learn of new techniques.
Hvala, Rick

Hi jadran
thanks for the update on the propeller technics, much appreciated,, never saw that, always had only the polishing.

Captain Ted
Just to inform you about the today's new technology.
It is absolutely true that today the propellers are painted, when the Owners wish so and have extra money to spend.
The technology is the following:
Gritblasting of propeller to quality SA 2,5 with corundum material (material with great hardness), good protection of the surrounding area and application of International Paint's silicone based paint INTERSLEEK which comes in colors grey & blue.
The silicon based paint on the propeller after application looks smooth as a mirror, achieving less water resistance on the propeller and providing the ship with certain increase in speed.

Holedriller
most probably it,s a blue tarpaulin cover, not a paint on the propeller, they are not painted but a brass/bronze mix and then polished

Why is the propellor blue?
Is it a new one?
Holedriller

Indeed! And i really think Berge Stahl is THE ore carrier.

A truly superb shot!