Thruster Systems News

Vard Electro will deliver its largest battery package to date as part of a vessel retrofit deal with the Norwegian offshore vessel owner Siem Offshore.The contract covers Vard Electro’s SeaQ Energy Storage System (ESS) with two battery packs and a DC link, which will be installed in the first quarter of 2022 on one of Siem Offshore’s subsea construction vessels lined up for work in the wind sector.The system will enable the vessel to operate in fully electric mode with zero emissions while maneuvering in the harbor or other restricted areas and will deliver estimated fuel savings of up to 20%…

Japan's Nakashima Propeller Co. has taken a majority stake in the German shipbuilding supplier Becker Marine Systems GmbH.“We have gotten to know Nakashima Propeller as a much respected and reliable partner through decades of cooperation,” said Dirk Lehmann and Henning Kuhlmann, the two managing directors at Becker Marine Systems, “and because we are expert suppliers in the area in front of and behind the propeller with well-known products such as the Becker Mewis Duct and the Becker Rudder family…

Marine propulsion systems company ZF has introduced an intelligent Condition Monitoring System for thrusters. The technology monitors the status of the thruster system and helps shipyards, shipping companies and fleet operators maintain the safety and efficiency of their ships as well as extend the service life of the propulsion system. In addition to that, a new oil cleaning system ensures oil quality and prolongs oil service life.ZF’s Condition Monitoring System is equipped with various sensors and an intelligent electronic evaluation unit.

At the 15th Maritime Industry Exhibition in early May in Gorinchem, the Netherlands, ZF Marine Krimpen will debut its Condition Monitoring System. ZF's system is designed to help shipyards, shipping companies and fleet operators maintain the safety and efficiency of their ships. It is equipped with various sensors and an intelligent electronic evaluation unit. The system measures vibrations which indicate the condition of the bearings and gears in the thruster's upper and lower gearbox.

U.S. based power transmission technology and equipment manufacturer Twin Disc, Inc. announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Netherlands based marine propulsion products supplier Veth Propulsion Holding, B.V. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.Twin Disc said the purchase price is approximately $58.6 million plus net cash, with potential adjustments based on Veth Propulsion’s working capital as of the closing date, and will be financed through a combination of cash and new debt facilities.

IMTRA announced today it has provided Offshore series LED deck lights, Exalto and Roca windshield wipers, Side-Power thrusters and Zipwake Dynamic Trim Control Systems to lobster vessels throughout New England. The newly-launched lobster boat Sailor’s Way from Stonington, Maine is the latest fishing vessel to be equipped with IMTRA gear. “The light package the IMTRA team recommended for me works so well,” said Nathan Jones, owner, Sailor’s Way. “Our commercial customersin the lobster industry tie their livelihood to the safe operation of their vessels in some of the most challenging conditions,”said Nate Cabral, Northeast commercial sales, IMTRA.

ZF Marine Krimpen is applying Subsea Industries’ Ecoshield hard coating to the nozzles and underwater components of its azimuth thruster units supplied to vessels operating in inland waterways. The Netherlands-based company, a division of Germany’s ZF Group, is using Ecoshield on thrusters supplied to a number of U.S.-based customers to reduce operational wear and tear in brown waters such as the Mississippi River. The solution was found in Antwerp, in 2015, when ZF approached…

The emergence of the floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) concept has seen an unprecedented focus on development activity and has reinforced the commercial interest in these facilities. However, as the industry strives to make the concept a reality, in addition to the already formidable risks present in conventional projects, a plethora of distinctive risks associated with FLNG have now been added to the mix, with little industry experience to learn from. Simply adapting risk and safety concepts of land-based LNG developments is not the solution…

Birkenhead based SeaKing Electrical has been appointed to a four-year framework agreement for Mersey Ferries. The maritime firm, which has supported the ferry fleet for many years, has been formally accepted onto the marine engineering consultants framework for Mersey Ferries until 2019. SeaKing Electrical managing director Dave Gillam said the business will offer a complete maintenance and support package for the entire fleet – including the Snowdrop, which was recently repainted in the dazzle design of British pop artist Sir Peter Blake.

Canadian shipbuilder Davie held a keel laying ceremony for MV Armand-Imbeau II, marking the beginning of the hull assembly for this first of two sisterships under construction at Davie for the Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ). The two ferries for the Tadoussac‒Baie-Sainte-Catherine route are to built at a total cost of $125 million for year-round navigation on the Saguenay Fjord. The first ferry, MV Armand-Imbeau II, is scheduled to be delivered in Fall 2015, followed by the second, MV Jos-Deschênes II, four months later.

WESMAR (Western Marine Electronics) delivered one of its bow thruster systems to another fireboat this month. This systems will be installed on a ‘super pumper’ for the city of San Francisco. The new fireboat is being built by Vigor Fab, Seattle, a subsidiary of Vigor Industrial, and is scheduled for delivery next year. Per specifications her ability to maneuver and dock in tight situations and to hold steady during fire fighting and rescue operations will be facilitated by WESMAR’s Model V2-20 NS 100 HP stainless steel, dual prop, counter-rotating bow thruster system.

ZF Marine penetrates domestic inland waterway markets – enjoying good success with two U.S. majors. The prospects for an even brighter future hinge on the performance of its early entries. So far, so good. It’s no secret that the domestic, inland marine business can be conservative in its approach to adopt new technologies, but then, this can probably be said of the global waterfront, as well. But the market is changing, driven by larger corporate entities moving into these tightly held markets, as well as a myriad of legislative and operational conditions – namely the rapidly rising cost of fuel. ZF Marine – or more specifically ZF Marine Krimpen b.v.…

When German industrial manufacturing giant ZF bought Holland Rudder Propeller nearly five years ago, it was a strategic addition to its ZF Marine portfolio that is now reaping big rewards as it is enjoying strong penetration of its azimuth thruster systems in the U.S. towboat market. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News visited with Frank van der Vegt, Sales Manager, Commercial Craft Thruster Systems, at the ZF Marine Krimpen B.V. factory in The Netherlands for an update. The marine business…

SCI begins a massive rebuild of its Paducah, Ky. simulators used to train mariners for safety on the water. The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) has signed a contract with Kongsberg Maritime for a complete overhaul of important maritime simulator technology at its Center for Maritime Education campus in Paducah, Ky. Installation begins in August to replace existing wheelhouse architecture with entirely new mechanisms and navigation tools that more closely mirror contemporary equipment and construction of modern vessels. The new simulators strengthen SCI’s service to American mariners.

Marine Propulsion Systems, a business unit of ZF Friedrichshafen AG, shared at the sidelines of Marintec China 2013 that China continues to be a key focus for the company and shared plans to strengthen its footprint in the market. ZF Marine has been in China since 2006 and currently operates a sales and services office in Shanghai which serves as a competence center for all marine applications in China. With optimism slowly returning to the global offshore market, the industry is expected to climb steadily and this presents significant business opportunities for ZF Marine…

“Wesmar thrusters are built for the toughest of sea conditions to meet the requirements of work boats around the world. Whether working in the oil fields or elsewhere, the demands to turn in tight quarters, hold position, and dock in challenging environments are standard assignments for our powerful thruster systems,” said WESMAR Vice President Bob Sentz announcing his company’s attendance at the International Work Boat Show October 9-11 in New Orleans, LA. “We will display one of our commercial bow thrusters in the Donovan Marine Booth (#2218), our dealer in the Gulf,” said Sentz.

Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc., a company in the design and manufacture of marine thruster systems, announced several promotions in its top level operations management. Jason Small, B.Sc.Mar.E., has been promoted to General Manager. Mr. Small, a graduate of Texas A&M with a B.Sc. in Marine Engineering, served as Engineering Manager at Thrustmaster for the past six years. Venkat Mudupu, PhD has been promoted to Engineering Manager. Dr. Mudupu has been with Thrustmaster for over five years and is a specialist in design of control systems for propulsion and dynamic positioning applications for marine and aerospace applications. Dr. Mudupu has a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Nevada…

Sentinel Marine orders four multi-role offshore support Emergency Response and Rescue Vessels ERRV’s from Nam Cheong. The new vessels will feature Dynamic Positioning systems, redundancy of propulsion and thruster systems, cargo carrying capabilities and advanced rescue and recovery equipment. Designed to work in the North Sea; one of the harshest environments in the world, particular attention has been placed on sea-keeping, crew comfort and fuel efficiency. The vessels will deliver through Q3&Q4 2014 and there are options for a further four vessels included in the contract. With offices in Aberdeen, Scotland, and Singapore, Sentinel Marine presently has 2 AHTS and 5 PSV’s on order in addition to this latest order.

WESMAR (Western Marine Electronics, Inc.) has announced an order from Hydraquip, Tasmania, Australia, for two commercial bow thruster systems for installation on a steel-hulled car/passenger ferry. The order is for  two WESMAR Model V2-28, 185 HP, counter rotating dual-prop stainless steel bow thruster systems. They will be installed on the 187-foot M/V Queenscliff, a double ended roll-on/roll-off ferry that provides hourly service between the towns of Queensland and Sorento. The Queenscliff has been operating between the two cities since 1993. She accommodates 80 vehicles and 700 passengers.

Roland “Bubba” Benoit – Account Manager, Commercial Craft. Roland’s years of experience as a technician with ZF Marine at our St. Rose, La. facility will serve him well as he works with fleet operators to expand ZF’s presence into the Texas Gulf and Inland River territories. Roland’s appointment reinforces ZF’s commitment to the workboat propulsion market in this region. Jay Denckla – Account Manager, West Coast. Jay, a long time Mathers and ZF Marine Electronics employee moves over to ZF Marine LLC. Jay’s intimate knowledge of electronic controls and thruster systems is going to be a great asset in working with Pleasure Craft customers on complete propulsion system solutions from ZF Marine. Josh Foster – Technical Representative.

ExxonMobil Marine Lubricants introduced Mobilgear SHC MT 68, a fully synthetic extreme pressure (EP) marine gear oil formulated to optimise the performance of equipment operating under extreme conditions. The new product resists micropitting while protecting marine thruster gear drives against conventional forms of wear and corrosion. Mobilgear SHC MT 68 was developed to meet global marketplace demand for a synthetic EP gear oil with excellent wear and corrosion protection, operability at both high and low temperatures and compatibility with industry-standard gearbox seal materials.

WESMAR has shipped six of its large commercial bow thrusters for installation on three, 80-meter Ropax (Ro-Ro) vessels that will be working on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project of historic proportion in Australia. The vessels are part of the Curtis Island LNG project and will be working off Gladstone near Curtis Island. The order is from Ultimate Marine Power, WESMAR’s dealer along the Australian East Coast. According to the Owner/Director of that company, Dave Murray, two each of the six WESMAR 180 KW AC V2-34 (250 HP) Bow Thruster systems will be installed on each Ropax vessel.

Two major propulsion system suppliers, Norway's Brunvoll AS and Finland's Steerprop Ltd. report that the companies have intensifed their cooperation in order to give their common customers; shipyards, ship owners, designers, an attractive “package” option of propulsion and maneuvering equipment. The partnership is not limited to deliveries of mechanical equipment, but also includes cooperation with delivery of control and automation systems and after sales services. The composition of above mentioned “package” solution is that Brunvoll provides tunnel and retractable azimuth thrusters…