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Propulsion Equipment News

16 Jan 2024

GE Vernova to Equip UK FSS Ships with Hybrid-electric Propulsion

(Image: Team Resolute)

GE Vernova's Power Conversion business in the UK has been chosen by Team Resolute to supply advanced hybrid propulsion technology for three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships for the UK Ministry of Defense (MOD).Team Resolute is a consortium created by Spanish shipbuilder and defense company Navantia, shipbuilder Harland & Wolff and naval architects BMT to deliver the FSS program, for which Navantia UK, the UK subsidiary of Navantia, is prime contractor.The 216-meter-long ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) will be designed with an emphasis on minimizing carbon emissions.

09 Nov 2023

Yanmar Delivers Its First Maritime Hydrogen Fuel Cell System

(Photo: MOTENA-Sea)

Yanmar Power Technology Co., Ltd. (Yanmar PT), a subsidiary of Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd, has made its first delivery of its newly commercialized maritime hydrogen fuel cell system, introduced in August 2023. This system was supplied to the passenger ship Hanaria, operated by MOTENA-Sea, a company backed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and other investors.The Hanaria is Japan's first hybrid passenger ship to use both hydrogen and biodiesel. The vessel operates with an onboard electric propulsion system that powers the ship’s drive using generated electricity.

11 Oct 2023

Moby Selects Kongsberg Maritime for Ro-Ro Propulsion Upgrade

Source: Kongsberg Maritime courtesy of Moby

Kongsberg Maritime has won a contract to upgrade the propulsion systems on five ro-ro passenger ferries for Italian operator Moby. The vessel upgrades will together reduce CO2 emissions by more than 30,000 tons per year.Moby operates a fleet of ro-ro passenger ferries, operating in the western Mediterranean, including routes between the Italian mainland, Sicily, and Sardinia.Three of the ships, the Moby Vinci, the Sharden, and the Moby Aki, will all receive a Promas Lite propulsion system, which combines rudder and propeller into one propulsion unit.

24 Jul 2023

The Need for [U.S. Navy Shipbuilding] Speed

The world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) steams in the Adriatic Sea, June 23, 2023.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins)

The Navy wants, and needs, more ships; but it can’t build them fast enough.While the U.S. Navy aims to achieve a 355-ship fleet, it is decommissioning older (and some not so old) ships at about the same rate it's adding new ones.A Congressional Research Service report stated that, as of April 17, 2023, the Navy included 296 battle force ships. "The Navy projects that under its FY2024 budget submission, the Navy would include 293 battle force ships at the end of FY2024 and 291 battle force ships at the end of FY2028."But there is progress…

27 Apr 2023

$56m Allocated to Refurbish Three British Research Ships

Image credit Brian Donovan

The National Oceanography Center (NOC) is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the scientific research ship RRS Discovery’s predecessor being designated as a Royal Research Ship (RRS), while the modern RRS Discovery becomes the first Research Vessel to be refitted at Babcock’s Rosyth facility, 35 miles away from the birthplace of the original vessel in Dundee.To mark this 100th anniversary, the current RRS Discovery will also join its ancestral inspiration, the original RRS Discovery in Dundee fromJune 2-4…

09 Mar 2023

Interview: Harry Stewart, President & CEO, The Dutra Group

Harry Stewart, President and CEO, The Dutra Group, at the controls of the Harry S. Photo courtesy The Dutra Group

Harry Stewart recently took the helm as President and CEO of The Dutra Group, succeeding Bill T. Dutra, the man who founded the company at the age of 26 and led it for the last 50 years. With a renewed vigor for national infrastructure, there are myriad opportunities in the dredging and marine construction sectors, opportunities balanced by a similar number of challenges. We recently visited with Mr. Stewart for his insights, covering everything from taking over the seat from an industry legend…

07 Mar 2023

Kongsberg Maritime to Supply Propulsion Systems for Six Philippine Navy Vessels

©Kongsberg Maritime

Norway's Kongsberg Maritime has won an order for six sets of controllable pitch propeller systems from South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries for installation in six new 94-meter offshore patrol vessels for the Philippine Navy.Each propulsion set will consist of twin Kongsberg Kamewa Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) 86 A/5 D-B systems, as well as shaft lines, hydraulic power units, local operating panels, and accessories. The first shipset will be delivered in August 2024.The six new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) are part of a major upgrade to Philippine naval capacity.

27 Apr 2022

First China-built Dual-fuel Methanol Powered Tanker Starts Sea Trials

Credit: Guangzhou Shipyard International

Guangzhou Shipyard International  (GSI) has started sea trials of the Stena Pro Patria, the first methanol-powered dual-fuel tanker constructed in China in what has been described as a 'watershed moment' in the development of methanol as an alternative fuel for medium-range tankers.GSI signed the deal to build three 49,990 dual-fuel DWT tankers with Proman Stena Bulk, a joint venture between Sweden-based Stena Bulk AB and Switzerland headquartered Proman in 2019. Stena Pro Marine and Stena Prosperous…

22 Mar 2022

Wärtsilä Propulsion Solutions Chosen for New Faroe Island Trawler

(Image: Vardin Group)

Wärtsilä said it booked an order in February to provide a range of propulsion solutions for the Finnur Fridi, a new pelagic fishing trawler under construction at the Karstensen shipyard in Denmark. The vessel is being built for Faroe Island based Krossbrekka P/F, a member of the Vardin group.The 88-meter-long trawler will operate with a Wärtsilä 31 main engine, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s most efficient four-stroke diesel engine. The engine will be fitted…

24 Aug 2021

Karstensens Shipyard Taps Wärtsilä Power for Newbuild FVs

Gifico’s new fishing vessel, “Ginneton”, will operate with a Wärtsilä 32 main engine and other Wärtsilä solutions. © Karstensens Shipyard

Danish shipbuilder Karstensens Shipyard placed main propulsion equipment orders for two new fishing vessels with Wärtsilä. The first vessel is a custom designed 77-m overall length fishing vessel the ‘Christina S’, owned and operated by the Fraserburgh, Scotland based Simpson family’s Christina S Fishing Company in partnership with P&J Johnston. It will be powered by a Wärtsilä 31 main engine, and will also feature other Wärtsilä solutions including an NOx Reducer emissions reduction system, the reduction gear, controllable pitch propeller, and ProTouch propulsion remote control system.

16 Jun 2021

A Mini-Tractor for the US Navy

(Photo: Alan Haig-Brown)

Moduteh Marine, of Tacoma, Wash., has gained recognition on meeting the stringent conditions of military contracts. In 2020 they completed a contract to build a fleet of five small tugs. These carry the military designation Work Boat Docking.“The mission of the CNIC Work Boat Docking (WB Docking) is to provide waterborne support at U.S. Navy Installations,” said Modutech’s Brian Swindahl. “The boats are required to have the ability to safely assist vessels including submarines for mooring and dry-docking…

05 Jan 2021

Fairbanks Morse Acquires Ward Leonard

George Whittier, CEO of Fairbanks Morse

Fairbanks Morse, a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management, has acquired Ward Leonard Operating, LLC, a provider of motor and control solutions for military applications. This acquisition will expand the scope of power and propulsion equipment and aftermarket services that Fairbanks Morse provides to its core customers, including the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and the Canadian Coast Guard."The acquisition of Ward Leonard expands the Fairbanks Morse product portfolio into complementary technologies, positioning us to serve as a power systems integrator to the U.S. Navy and U.S.

02 Oct 2019

New Pusher Tugs for Hidrovias do Brasil

Two new Robert Allan Ltd custom-designed pusher tugs are now being operated along the Amazon River system by Hidrovias do Brasil S.A. (Photo: Robert Allan Ltd)

Hidrovias do Brasil S.A. has started operating two new pusher tugs custom-designed by Vancouver, Canada based Robert Allan Ltd, pushing barges containing bulk products along the Amazon River system. This HB PIRARARA shallow-draft pusher tug and sister vessel HB PIRARUCU have a Robert allan RApide 4000-Z3 tug design and were constructed by Estaleiro Rio Maguari in Belem, Brazil.Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were used in the early phases of the design work to optimize the hull shapes and minimize total convoy resistance…

18 Sep 2019

Kongsberg Wins Full-Scope Expedition Cruise Vessel Tender

SeaDream's 'Innovation' expedition cruise ship (Photo: Kongsberg)

Kongsberg has just signed a contract with Damen Shipyards in the Netherlands for the delivery of a fully integrated Kongsberg Maritime solution to the SeaDream Yacht Club cruise line.Valued at more than $21.5 million, Kongsberg’s most extensive ‘Full Picture’ delivery for an expedition cruise ship, Innovation, also encompasses the supply and integration of propulsion equipment including the new ELegance azimuth pod system, Bergen engines, stabilizers, bridge and automation systems, accompanied by a comprehensive electrical, navigation and hybrid technology package.

09 Jul 2019

Wärtsilä to Optimize PLSVs of Sapura Brasil

Subsea services specialist Sapura Brazil has signed a five-year optimized maintenance agreement with Wärtsilä.As per the agreement the the Finnish tech major will support Sapura’s fleet of six pipe-laying support vessels' (PLSV) operational performance and increase both its efficiency and reliability by accurately predicting maintenance requirements. This will also help lower operating costs.The Wärtsilä solution includes asset diagnostics of the vessels’ main engines and thrusters to define the actual condition of the equipment. This enables a predictive maintenance strategy whereby servicing activities and overhauls are carried out according to the known condition of the equipment components…

27 Feb 2019

Schottel Propels Trawler “Argos Cíes”

Photo: SCHOTTEL

The trawler Argos Cíes, built in Spain at Nodosa shipyard, is equipped with propulsion equipment from Schottel including a controllable pitch propeller and atransverse thruster.Measuring 74m long, Argos Cíes is the largest fishing vessel ever built at the Galician shipyard. Operated by Jupiter Fishing Company, the trawler is mainly used to fish for squid in the South Atlantic. The project was realized in close cooperation with Reintjes España, Schottel's partner inthe Spanish maritime market.Argos Cíes is powered by a 3…

21 Jan 2019

Wärtsilä Chosen for State-of-the-art Fishing Vessel

The new Wärtsilä designed ‘Resolute’ will represent the state-of-the-art in fishing vessel efficiency. (Photo:Wärtsilä )

The technology group Wärtsilä will provide the ship design, as well as the main engine and other propulsion equipment, for a new state-of-the-art fishing vessel. The ship will be built at the Balenciaga shipyard in Spain for Castlehill, the Fraserburgh, Scotland based owners. The order with Wärtsilä was booked in November 2018.The 69.8 meters long ‘Resolute’ will replace an existing trawler of the same name in the owner’s fleet. When delivered in 2020, this innovative vessel will provide high efficiency, and will represent the latest in ship designs for fishing industry purposes.

17 Jan 2019

Glosten, Bieker Boats Design Ultra Fuel-Efficient Vessel

The provider of naval architecture and marine engineering services Glosten and marine craft builder Bieker Boats have joined forces to bring modern composite hydrofoil technology to the passenger vessel community.This collaboration draws on Bieker Boats’ years of experience designing fast foil-born boats and Glosten’s design of passenger vessels for public and private clients over the past 50 years, said a press note from Glosten."This ultra-efficient vessel requires less than half the installed power of a typical passenger catamaran, resulting in a 50% reduction in fuel consumption. When compared to the latest foil-assisted low-wake small passenger vessels…

27 Oct 2018

Maritime's Push Toward "Net Zero Carbon"

IMO’s 2050 deadline to reduce GHG emissions 50% from 2008 levels has set off a gold rush to develop Zero Emissions SolutionsClimate change is the biggest issue facing [all aspects of] the maritime industry, said Kitak Lim, IMO secretary general, in an interview earlier this year with Maritime Reporter & Engineering News. He predicted that shipping could experience as much change in the next 10 to 20 years as it has in the last 100 years, as the industry races to meet a number of challenges…

05 Oct 2018

New Thruster Solutions Developed for Arctic Shipping

© Alexey Nagaev / Adobe Stock

A team of European marine research institutes and companies have developed creative technologies for thruster solutions that are specifically engineered for ships operating in the Arctic.With the new solutions created under the three-year ArTEco project led by Finland's VTT and Wärtsilä, thruster lifetimes can be increased, their maintenance need can be decreased and their reliability improved, particularly in extreme conditions, the project partners said.While at sea, a ship must overcome tough resistance as it displaces water masses from its path.

07 Jun 2018

Twin Disc Celebrates 100 Years

Marine power transmission and propulsion technology company Twin Disc is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a wide range of local, national and international events that kicked off in May and run throughout the year.Twin Disc began in Racine, Wisc., in 1918 with P.H. Batten's introduction of the twin disc farm tractor clutch. In the 1930s, the company entered the marine market, manufacturing countershaft reduction gears with 100 percent reverse power. During WWII, it converted all its operations to the production of essential war materials…

31 May 2018

Wärtsilä to Equip Environmentally-friendly Dredger

The new Damen dredger featuring Wärtsilä propulsion equipment will be one of the most environmentally sustainable vessels of its type. (Image: Wärtsilä)

Wärtsilä said it bagged a contract in March to provide the engines, propellers and control system for a new, large-size hopper dredger being built by the Netherlands-based shipbuilding company Damen Shipyards Group. The vessel has been ordered by Cemex UK, supplier of building materials.Wärtsilä will prepare the engines ready for use with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to reduce emissions, making the vessel compliant with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Tier III regulations.

20 Mar 2018

Corrosion Control and the Autonomous Ship

(Photo Source: ThinkStock)

The remarkable success of autonomous and remotely-controlled vehicles on land and in the air and the interest in this technology being shown within maritime circles suggests that it is only a matter of time before autonomous ships are deployed at sea. Although the fuel costs represent, by far, the majority of shipping costs compared to onboard crews, there are yet substantial benefits to be reaped from autonomous ships. The potential economic benefits are too great to ignore this emerging technology.