German Partners Target Remote-controlled Tug Operations
A group of maritime industry and technology experts in Germany is working on a project to unlock remote control capabilities for safer and more efficient harbor tug operations.Backed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), the project is being led by Voith in partnership with the Hamburg University of Technology, the Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services, the Federal Office for Hydraulic Engineering, winch and crane manufacturer McGregorâŚ
First Ever Electric Voith Schneider Propellers Ready to Be Installed
Spanish shipbuilder Gondan said it received last week at its main facilities in Castropol, Asturias, the first two electric Voith Schneider Propellers (eVSP) ever manufactured. They will be soon installed in the new offshore wind service operation vessel (SOV), being built for Norwegian shipping company Østensjø Rederi A/S.The first eVSP passed the factory acceptance test (FAT) several weeks ago at Voith facilities in Germany. Gondan will be the first shipyard in the world toâŚ
New Ferry Being Built for Christian Island, Ontario
An infrastructure upgrade project is underway on Christian Island, Ontario, and one of the main components of the project is the construction of a new double-ended ferry (DEF) â a so-called âFloating Bridgeâ from the mainland to the island. Christian Island is located in Canada in Lake Huronâs Georgian Bay. Beausoleil First Nation (BFN) will be the owner and operator of the new ferry.The DEF will be constructed at Fraser Shipyards Inc. in Superior, Wisconsin, on Lake SuperiorâŚ
Interview: Dr. Dirk Jürgens, Heads of R&D, Voith Turbo Marine
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 âVoithâ 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.TheâŚ
INSIGHTS: Edward C. Schwarz, ABB VP of Sales, New Builds
Based in Miramar, FL, ABB Vice President Ed Schwarz is today responsible for developing and leading the newly created new sales team for ABB in North America.He is the firmâs leading advocate for new build opportunities in US and Canada and more importantly, developing the business strategy necessary for bringing hybrid and electric solutions to North America market. A graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering and Shipyard Management in 2000.
Green Shipping: Toward a Clean Future
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced its targets of cutting greenhouse gas emissions from global shipping in half by the year 2050, and to make ships entirely CO2-neutral before 2100. But long before that, the so-called sulphur cap will take effect: From 2020 all oceangoing ships must run on fuel that contains no more than 0.5 per cent of sulphur. According to estimates by classification society DNV GL, up to 70,000 ships will be subject to this requirement.
First Carrousel Rave Tug Delivered to Novatug
Multratug 32, the first new CARROUSEL RAVE TUG (CRT) was delivered to its owner, Novatug B.V. of the Netherlands in February 2018. Multraship B.V. of the Netherlands will be the operator of the new CRT. Multraship and Novatug both belong to the Muller Maritime Group, that has been active in all types of towing operations for over 100 years. The design features the RAVE tug concept, jointly developed by Robert Allan Ltd. and Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG, featuring VSP drives arranged inline on the hull centerline, combined with Novatugâs patented Carrousel Towing System on the main deck. The CRT Carrousel towing system was developed by Novatug in cooperation with Multraship as the groups harbour towage operator. Novatug also cooperated with Machinefabriek Luyt B.V.
Voith Completes First Major Marine Overhaul at New UK Facility
Voith Turbo, a manufacturer of a wide range of products for the marine industry, said it has completed its first major refurbishment project in a brand new U.K. facility. The complete overhaul of a 26-metric-ton Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP) has been carried out for Red Funnel, the Isle of Wight ferry company based in Southampton, at Voithâs Croydon workshop. The refurbishment follows Voithâs investment in specially designed jigs, fixtures, machinery and lifting equipment capable of handling Voith Schneider propellers, gearboxes and other ancillaries.
Schottel's Strahberger: One Year at the Helm
Schottel, a ubiquitous German-based maritime propulsion company, is firing on all cylinders and preparing now for the inevitable maritime market upturn. As Schottelâs new Managing Director, Dr. Christian Strahberger, closes in on his first year at the helm, he discusses the strategy with Maritime Reporter & Engineering News. While the maritime industry endures an overall downturn, quality, long-term companies see opportunity amidst the challenge, using lean times to optimize operations and staff while plotting a course for the inevitable turnaround.
New Tug Deliverd to Boluda
Boluda Towage and Salvage has taken delivery of the newly built VB Xaloc, the first tug of the ownerâs multi-boat order from Astilleros Zamakona and first of Robert Allan Ltd.âs TRAktor 3200-V class escort tugs. The TRAktor 3200-V was designed by Robert Allan Ltd. specifically to meet Boludaâs requirements for performance, propulsion equipment, accommodation facilities, tank capacities and all within a gross tonnage (GRT) limit of less than 500. According to the designer, extensiveâŚ
First Carrousel-RAVE Tug Under Construction in Hamburg
Construction of the first Carrousel-RAVE tug has begun at Theodor Buschmann Shipyard in Hamburg. This novel design features the Robert Allan Ltd. and Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG developed RAVE propulsion with drives arranged inline along the centreline of the hull, and the Novatug patented Carrousel Towing System installed on the main deck. This unique combination of propulsion and towing arrangements results in inherently safer towing and escort operations, with enhanced maneuvrability for operations in confined waterways and other generally tight spaces.
MN100: Voith Turbo
Voith Turbo specializes in the design, manufacture and servicing of high performance driveline equipment. From drive components to electronic drive systems, technology from Voith Turbo impacts a wide variety of markets, including ship technology. Voith Turbo is a member of the Voith group of companies, a nearly 150-year-old German business that is one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe. The firm has annual sales $5,000,000,000 and has 20,000 employees. The Voith Water Tractor is the perfect vessel application when compact designâŚ
MN100: Robert Allan Ltd.
With about 82 employees, Robert Allan Ltd. is Canadaâs most senior consulting Naval Architectural firm, established in Vancouver, B.C. in 1930. The company has earned an international reputation for innovative, successful designs for a wide range of ships and has been a leader in creating cost-efficient vessels for service in the marine transportation industry. Ship Design Robert Allan Ltd. has an experienced, professional staff of Naval Architects and Engineers capable of handling any type of ship design, but the company is best known for tackling the innovative and unusual design problem.
First VectRA 3000 Tug Delivered
Sanmarâs first VSP (Voith Schneider Propeller) tug, of the new VectRA 3000 series, named Arie A has been constructed for Italian operator Tripmare Spa of Trieste. The vessel has been delivered by a Redwise crew to Ashdod Port, located some 40 kilometers south of Tel Aviv where it will operate. Particular care and attention has been given to the ergonomics of the wheelhouse and the habitability of the crew accommodation, the builder said. VectRA 3000 series has been designed by the Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd.
Voith Linear Jet Offers Fuel Savings
Crew transfer vessel operators using the new Voith Linear Jet (VLJ) marine propulsion system can save over £75,000 in fuel costs in a season, the manufacturer claims. The cost saving, around 20 percent, is a key figure from the collection of extensive data from four monthsâ operation in a range of sea conditions, working at different speeds and with different loadings. The Voith Linear Jet, unveiled last year as a âworld firstâ in marine propulsion technology, combines elements of two existing technologies: conventional screw propellers and water jets.
Evolutionary Carrousel RAVE Tugs Under Construction
In cooperation with R. Allan Ltd. (RAL) and Novatug B.V., Voith participated in the development of a new tug. The Carrousel RAVE Tug (CRT) is characterized by a towing winch on a ring. This ring can rotate freely around the tug's deckhouse â a unit referred to as the "Carrousel Towing System". This system eliminates the risk of capsizing under a tow load. In combination with two Voith Schneider Propellers (VSPs) arranged in-line, the tug design allows for a slender and highly efficient hull. New and previously unseen levels of tug operation safety and efficiency will be reached with this evolutionary concept. The first two Carrousel RAVE Tugs are currently under construction for Novatug B.V., a subsidiary of Multraship Towage & Salvage.
Rober Allan, Sanmar Launch New Tug Design
Robert Allan Ltd. The new VectRA 3000 Class Tug is a high performance VSP Tractor tug designed by Robert Allan Ltd in close collaboration with Turkish ship builder Sanmar and Voith Turbo Propulsion. The tug is designed for maximum efficiency in the performance of towing, harbor ship-handling and escorting of large ships. Performance has been verified with extensive model tests at the commencement of the design cycle. The unique propulsion arrangement features high speed diesel engines connected to the Voith units via reduction gearboxes with integral clutches.
Sanmar Launches First VectRA 3000 Tug
Sanmarâs first Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP) tug of VectRA 3000 series, M/T ARES, being constructed for Italian tug operator Tripmare S.p.a. of Trieste, has been launched to sea at Sanmar Shipyard, Altinova last week. The vessel has been carried from the tugboat production hall to the floating dock by the shipyardâs modular transport system. VectRA 3000 series has been designed by the Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd. This design, developed exclusively for SanmarâŚ
Voith Turbo CEO Reinhardt Resigns
Carsten J. Reinhardt, President and CEO of Voith Turbo and member of the Corporate Management Board of Voith GmbH, has resigned Tuesday in order to pursue other interests, the company announced. Dr. Uwe Knotzer will become the new Chairman of the Board of Management of Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG and member of the Corporate Board of Management of Voith GmbH with immediate effect Dr. Knotzer has been on the Board of Management of Voith Paper since 2012, where he is in charge of the Products & Services business line.
Voith Turbo Names Calhoun VP of O&G Sales
Shawn Calhoun has joined Voith Turboâs Power, Oil & Gas Division as Vice President of Sales â Oil and Gas, to be based at the companyâs new Houston, Texas office with the mission of supporting existing customers and expanding Voith Turboâs footprint in the oil and gas sector. Prior to joining Voith, Calhoun served as Director of Worldwide Sales and Marketing at Lufkin Industries, a division of General Electric. He previously served as General Manager of Lufkinâs Gear Repair Division. Calhoun graduated from Centenary College with a Bachelor of Science degree in geology.
Voith Opens HQ in Houston
Voith Turbo opened a new Houston, Texas headquarters for the Power, Oil & Gas Division for the region Americas. Located in the heart of Houstonâs Energy Corridor, the new office furthers Voith Turboâs commitment to expanding its presence in North America and supporting its oil and gas customers. âOpening a beautiful new location in the heart of Houstonâs Energy Corridor shows our commitment to the oil and gas sector,â said Ron Wilson, President Americas of Voith Turboâs Power, Oil & Gas Division.
Suarez Named VP at Voith Turbo
Javier Suarez will be Voith Turboâs new vice president Americas for the power, oil and gas divisionâs marine group. Suarez will be based at the divisionâs regional headquarters in Houston, working with Ron Wilson, who is President Americas. Suarez will also be a member of the global Voith Marine management team. He has extensive experience in the marine industry, including four years at Voith Turbo as sales area manager for Voith Schneider Propellers, based in Germany. âWe look forward to Javier helping us expand our business in the AmericasâŚ
9 new Voith Water Tractors for safety at Mexican OTs
Mexicoâs state-owned petroleum company PEMEX (Petróleos Mexicanos) invests in a modern tug fleet. Voith was awarded to supply the propulsion for nine new Voith Water Tractors (VWT) which are to enhance the safety of oil tankers entering and clearing port at several terminals as of 2016. During an extensive selection process, the vessels powered by two Voith Schneider Propellers (VSP) stood out with regard to their low susceptibility to debris. The Spanish Shipyard ARMON (Astilleros Armón) will provide the project with itâs own in-house design using VWT configuration, project management, technical advice on location and the supply of all main equipment.