Thrusters News

Finnish propulsion expert Steerprop and Seaspan Shipyards have expanded their collaboration on Canada’s next-generation polar icebreaker.Initially selected in late 2023 to supply two advanced ice-classed bow thrusters for the new flagship vessel, Steerprop will now also support the integration of the tunnel thruster into the vessel, ensuring hydrodynamic performance, smoother coordination with the shipyard, and reduced lifecycle costs. Seaspan’s heavy polar icebreaker is one of…

Elomatic, an international consulting and engineering company, has successfully completed the installation of its Elogrid tunnel thruster technology on the 10,000 GT special purpose research vessel, the METEOR IV, built by the MEYER FASSMER spezialchiffbau consortium.As part of a joint venture between FASSMER and MEYER Group, the 125-meter research vessel is being constructed for the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), to support their worldwide multifunctional and interdisciplinary projects, with a focus on climate and environmental research within the Atlantic.

Brunvoll has signed a contract with Samsung Heavy Industries for the delivery of comprehensive thruster and control system packages for nine DP2 shuttle tankers. The order includes a total of 45 thrusters, making it the largest contract in Brunvoll’s history in terms of both scope and value. The vessels, owned by Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd., will be placed on long-term bareboat charter to Transpetro, a logistics subsidiary of Petrobras.Brunvoll’s delivery for each vessel consists of three retractable azimuth thrusters, and two tunnel thrusters.

Finland's Steerprop expanded its range of retractable thrusters with its biggest unit to date. Designed for offshore vessels and workboats that need high-performance station-keeping or thrust boost capabilities, the SP 45 R will be introduced on several offshore, renewables and special purpose vessels.Working with vessel operators and designers, Steerprop identified that the sealing and locking mechanisms are often a weak point for retractable designs. The R series minimizes downtime…

Kongsberg Maritime announced the launch of its new Tunnel Thruster type TTH, the Harmonised series, setting new standards in performance and reliability with a compact, modular design that allows for flexible installation and optimal integration into a wide range of vessel types.Key innovations include:Compact thruster design for easier hull integration and reduced installation footprintModular design with one core module covering several propeller diametersHydrodynamically optimised…

Schottel was selected to supply full propulsion packages for three new LNG bunkering vessels (LNGBV), each consisting of a controllable pitch propeller, a retractable rudder propeller, and a transverse thruster. The ships, with a loading capacity of 20,000 cbm, are currently under construction at the Chinese shipyard Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co. Ltd. and are scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2027. Two vessels have been ordered by UK-based LNG bunkering provider Avenir LNG Ltd and one by Singaporean Vitol International Shipping Ltd.

Subsea Global Solutions has successfully executed a complex in-water thruster installation and rudder bushing replacement, eliminating the need for drydocking and ensuring the vessel remained on schedule.Originally planned for drydock, the repairs were expedited in-water when drydocking availability did not align with the vessel’s operational needs. Subsea Global Solutions was selected based on its extensive experience with in-water technical repairs and its history of successful projects for the client.The project was executed in Portland…

Kongsberg Maritime’s rim-drive azimuth thruster has achieved Silent-E notation from DNV, the first of its kind to receive this certification.Installed on the new commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) Norwind Hurricane and its sister vessels, the thruster demonstrated exceptional performance in reducing underwater noise pollution during a recent trial.To assess the noise levels of the Norwind Hurricane, an extensive underwater noise study was conducted using hydrophones placed on the seabed.

Kongsberg Maritime has launched a new Rim-drive Azimuth Thruster, the RD-AZ-2300.The RD-AZ-2300, with a propeller diameter of 2,300mm, sits between the existing RD-AZ-1900 and RD-AZ-2600 models and is suited for vessels operating in demanding environments such as offshore wind farms, where precise maneuverability and low noise levels are crucial.In adherence to DNV’s Silent R classification, the RD-AZ-2300 also provides significant advantages to underwater research vessels by reducing underwater radiated noise (URN) below sea levels, says Kongsberg Maritime.

SCHOTTEL will equip Guangzhou Port Group’s latest e-tug with two RudderPropellers type SRP 360 in the LE-Drive variant. The new harbor tug measures 37.9 x 10.5m and will be mainly used for berthing assistance, escorting and towing in the Port of Guangzhou, China. Each SRP has an input power of 1,500 kW and a propeller diameter of 2.2m. The 360-degree steerable thruster combines maximum maneuverability and bollard pull with outstanding efficiency during free sailing, providing…

Brunvoll has been contracted to deliver the propulsion, maneuvering and autonomy systems for two hydrogen powered ferries for Torghatten Nord AS.The ferries will operate the harsh route to and from Lofoten in Norway, the Bodø-Verøy-Røst-Moskenes route. The hydrogen fuel cell ferries were designed by The Norwegian Ship Design Company AS. Both ferries included in the contract will be delivered from Myklebust Yard in 2026.The Brunvoll contract includes two azimuth propulsion thrusters, BruCon Propulsion & Thruster Control System, BruCon Auto-Crossing system and BruCon Condition Monitoring System.

Maritime systems supplier Brunvoll has signed a contract with Simon Møkster Shipping to deliver upgrades for Stril Mermaid and Stril Mariner vessels.In addition to replacing the existing DP2 systems for the two vessels, Brunvoll will also replace the current propulsion and thruster control systems, as well as the independent joystick system.The systems will be replaced with Brunvoll's BruCon DP2, BruCon PTC (Propulsion & Thruster Control), and BruCon JS.This will ensure even better…

ABB has received an order from the Guangzhou Shipyard International to supply an Azipod® DI propulsion system for the new compact icebreaker of China’s Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering. The ship is expected to be delivered in 2025, after which it will begin to carry out operations in the Arctic and Antarctic Ocean.A complete electric propulsion system including two 4.5MW Azipod® units will drive the vessel through harsh weather and thick first-year ice to enable research on behalf of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Kongsberg Maritime’s US Series thrusters will be installed on 16 new ASD tugboats to be built in Turkey by Med Marine ShipyardKongsberg Maritime (KM) reports that it has signed "a sizeable contract" with Med Marine in Turkey to deliver 32 US series thrusters for installation on new Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugboats.KM’s US series thrusters now offer project-specific Computation Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling capabilities, while the range of achievable propeller and nozzle combinations ensures the highest possible standards of operational efficiency.

The Schottel TransverseThruster with elastically mounted well installation reduces sound emissions by up to 11 dB, according to the manufacturer, with the added bonus of minimized underwater noise, too. The particularly low-vibration design of the STT is suitable for vessels of all types and sizes.In addition to reduced sound generation from the propeller and its surrounding structure, the well installation brings another advantage: since the propulsion unit is not welded to the vessel structure, flexible access to the unit is possible.

A new bitumen tanker for Rubis Group of France is currently under construction at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard. The 15,000-dwt ship will be driven by twoSchottel EcoPellers and one TransverseThruster. Designed by Swedish FKAB Marine, the vessel will be deployed in West Africa for asphalt transportation services.The main propulsion of the carrier will include two electrically driven Schottel EcoPellers type SRE 560 (2,050 kW each), featuring fixed pitch 3.1m-diameter propellers. With this configuration, the 145.8 x 26.2-m ship will achieve a maximum speed of 13.55 knots at design draft.

The main propulsion package for Jan De Nul’s latest heavy-lift crane vessel Les Alizés has left the German production plant in Wismar to reach the CMHI Haimen shipyard in China. The full propulsion package from Schottel consists of four rudder propellers, two retractable rudder propellers, and two transverse thrusters. The Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV) is currently under construction and will be deployed for the construction of offshore wind farms after its delivery.The…

Schottel supplied main and auxiliary propulsion units for China’s first ice-breaking beacon vessel. Haixun 156, which will perform a wide range of tasks, has recently been launched by the contracted shipyard Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group, Hubei Province, China. It was ordered by the Tianjin Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) and is scheduled to enter operation in September 2021.The main propulsion of the beacon vessel includes of a pair of diesel-driven Schottel EcoPellers type SRE 460 (1,800 kW each) featuring a four-bladed 2.4 m-diameter propeller.

Singapore-based Sembcorp Marine chose Schottel’s azimuthal hybrid drive system SYDRIVE-E to power the world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) hybrid tug. With this first in a series of 12 vessels, Sembcorp Marine will build the world’s first hybrid LNG-fueled tug fleet that will replace its existing diesel-powered tugs. The vessel is designed by LMG Marin, a wholly owned Sembcorp Marine subsidiary, and a leading naval architecture design house in Bergen, Norway, which provides…

To enable a fast mobilization throughout the entire Rotterdam port without delaying a ship’s commercials operations, Hydrex dive support vessels are stationed in Rotterdam. These workboats are fully equipped with hydraulic cranes, winches, a dive spread and control room.This allows Hydrex to offer simple maintenance operations as well as repairs on all parts of the underwater ship propulsion system and the hull. Hydrex operations are class approved and carried out alongside or at anchorage while commercial activities continue without disruption.

Dr. Dirk Jürgens heads R&D at Voith Turbo Marine, a part of the family owned Voith conglomerate which employs more than 19,000 people in 60 countries. Voith Rudderpropellers were chosen as the propulsion system for the three new Staten Island Ferry vessels, and Dr. Jürgens discusses the evolution of the system.The ‘Voith’ name is a well-known one in the maritime industry, but to start please provide an overview of the product and service you offer to the maritime industry.The…

ZF Marine Propulsion Systems Miramar, LLC announced that Drew Orvieto has been promoted to the position of Senior Manager, Commercial Fast Craft and Engineering – North America. Orvieto, a 4+ year member of the ZF team first worked with the company as an intern in 2011.Orvieto returned to ZF in 2015 after completing a Master’s degree in engineering, followed by a period as a naval architect at a large American boat builder. Upon his return to ZF, Orvieto took a position as naval architect…

Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam has finished repair work on the 156m Diving Support Vessel (DSV) Deep Arctic. The shipyard reports that it was a complex project with a total of 2198 work permits issued, an indication of the large number of individual jobs that were completed and the number of stakeholders involved. The TechnipFMC-owned Deep Arctic came to Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam (DSAm) primarily for a main class renewal (intermediate) docking and for maintenance including the renewal of the steel plates to its box coolers.