Lets make it clear at 1st, azipod is registered product of ABB, while generally they are referred as podded propeller, if it can rotate about an axis known as azimuth truster.
I cant really understand, but the pictures you have shown , simply a conventional open shaft configuration. The point is there is no use of a mechanical transmission via shaft if electric engine is utilized (unless ship is going high speed regime like frigates) . Its funny to hear you are calling military ships to be less complicated , so its about to end our debate in here.
In terms of efficiency, open shaft systems consume about 3-5-7 pct depends on shaft length, including additional brackets and shaft itself as drag source increases total resistance, so calling open shaft system more efficient makes no sense, podded systems are way efficient in terms of transmission ,also in hydrodynamic efficiency. Plus, that configuration ends up with shaft bourne and propeller bourne noise on ship.
Let me say that, maneuvrability is also improvised with a podded propeller.
Their choise concerns for other matters than efficiency, the total cost might be cheaper now thanks to the oil prices and in future they would go for podded propellers with no doubt.
You have been to a cruise ship for vacation and i have been in trial tests, let me state that sometimes diesele engines failure to start, and those air bottles are awaited to be filled, this is the main reason why departure is delayed , and you never sense it.
I wouldnt even mention why a naval vessel is way more complicated. Everyone knows the fact.
Militaryships are far less complicated simply because tehy dont have that enormous complex systems a liner needs to have instaleld., Its absicly a giant autonomous city. Entertainment, propulsion, sanitary, theatres. The energy output of a cruiseliner is magnitudes greater than that of a military ship.
You have 3900 paying passengers who expect absolute luxury + 1500 crew. You have giant suits, dozens of elevator systems, pools, spa areas and environmental aspects you have to consider.
Mitsubishi for example is a very good ship builder. It builds carriers, freighters, military vessels. Now it got its first cruise ship the Aida Prima and went to its knees. Mitsubishi was unable to meet the obligations because a military vessel is no liner. The maiden voyage was delayed almost 2 years. Mitsubishi made almost 1 billion $ negative and gave up on building a liner in the forseeable future again.
As for the Azipod systems, the QM2 has them and has regulary issues. They fail because the complex rotation mechanics break.
The kitchen alone of a liner has more technology than an entire military vessel.
Of course you lack the funds to ever cruise so you only know from the outside.
yes.
cruise liners are bigger, filled with entertainment systems, must provide luxury, cost effectiveness.
military vessels house their crew like scum.
Show me a military vessel that has 130.000 tons mass is 309m long, has hundres of luxury suits , a theatre, dozens of bars, entertainment systems, could power an entire city, has to make 2500 different finest meals at same time ready and orders cooled down vine of evry sort:
This is Costa Diadema. We sailed on her maiden voyage in 2014. She is italias pride and the largest vessel ever under italian flag. The technology behind her is plain and simply awesome.
Some pics of the Diadema:
How do you imagine a kitchen in a liner? That makes 4500 high quality luxury meals 4 times a day at exactly the same time, for 8 restaurants + 2 giant dining rooms?
