Since two oil shocks in 1970s, all of engine makers have persevered in their efforts to reduce specific fuel consumption and to increase engine power rate as much as possible in marine diesel engines. As a result, the maximum pressure in cylinders of these engines has been continuously increased. It causes direct axial vibration. The axial stiffness of crank shaft is low compared to old types of engine models by increasing the stroke/bore ratio and its major critical speed might occur within engine operation range. An axial damper, therefore, needs to be installed in order to reduce the axial vibration amplitude of the crankshaft. Usually the main critical speed of axial vibration for the propulsion shafting system with a 4-8 cylinder engine exists near the maximum continuous revolution(MCR). In this case, when the damping coefficient of the damper is increased within the allowance of the structural strength, its stiffness coefficient is also increased. Therefore, the main critical speed of axial vibration can be moved beyond the MCR. It has the same function as a conventional detuner. However, in the case of a 9-12 cylinder engine, the main critical speed of axial vibration for the propulsion shafting system exists below the MCR and thus the critical speed cannot be moved beyond the MCR by using an axial damper. In this case, the damping coefficient of an axial damper should be adjusted by considering the range of engine revolution, the location and vibration amplitude of the critical speed, the fore and aft vibration of the hull super structure. It needs to clarify the dynamic characteristics of the axial vibration damper to control the axial vibration appropriately. Therefore authors suggest the calculation method to analyse the dynamic characteristics of axial vibration damper. To confirm the calculation method proposed in this paper, it is applied to the propulsion shafting system of the actual ships and satisfactory results are obtained.