Propulsion Supplier News

Rolls-Royce and Sea Machines Robotics announced they are working together to deliver remote command, autonomous control and intelligent crew support systems to the marine market.As part of this agreement, Rolls-Royce business unit Power Systems and Sea Machines, the developer of remote-vessel command and autonomous control systems, will join forces on the development and sale of fully and semi-autonomous vessel control systems.Michael Johnson, CEO and founder of Sea Machines, said…

Ten new crab-catching vessels for the Russian crab-catching companies Antey, Merlion and Aqvainvest will be propelled by Schottel. They will be built at different shipyards in Russia and are designed by Damen as design type CC 5712. Eight will be constructed at Nakhodka and a further two at Brothers Nobel shipyard. They are scheduled to enter operation from 2020 to 2024.“For this project we were looking for a manufacturer with outstanding expertise and great experience," said Ivan Mikhnov, President of the Group of Companies Antey.

SCHOTTEL has been chosen as propulsion supplier for two new build Ro-Ro ferries under construction at Damen Shipyards Mangalia, Romania. Each of the vessels ordered by Canadian Seaspan Ferries Corporation will be propelled by two SCHOTTEL Combi Drives and two SCHOTTEL Transverse Thrusters. The new ferries will join the company’s first two hybrid vessels, “Seaspan Swift” and “Seaspan Reliant”, which were commissioned just over two years ago. Seaspan Ferries currently operates a fleet of seven ferries out of four terminals in British Columbia…

EPA Tier 4 regulations (for engines of 804 hp and higher) and propulsion advancements have many manufacturers and vessel designers changing course to adapt to new requirements and customer demands. Jensen Maritime is designing a new 110-ft. harbor class ship assist docking tug with 6,770 horsepower. “It’s a little larger than most. The extra length allows for towing which is secondary use,” says Vice President Johan Sperling. “There will be Tier 4 equipment in it. Bryan Nichols…

Forum Subsea Technologies has officially launched Tomahawk, the latest addition to its range of multi-role remote operated vehicles (ROVs). Tomahawk has been built to be fast and agile and it shares the same 35kw power system and thrusters as Forum’s largest electric, the Comanche. It is manufactured by Sub-Atlantic, a product line of Forum Subsea Technologies, at its facility in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Forum’s Sub-Atlantic product range includes the Comanche, Mohican, Super Mohawk, Mohawk, Mojave and Navajo Electric ROV Systems and subCAN high-speed communications data network system. Forum Subsea Technologies is also a propulsion supplier to work-class ROV builders…

In a move aimed at extending its claim as a single source ship's propulsion supplier, Wärtsilä Corporation and Smiths Group are in exclusive discussions regarding a possible sale by Smiths Group of John Crane-Lips to Wärtsilä. Wärtsilä and John Crane-Lips entered into a strategic alliance in October 2000 to provide total marine propulsion power systems through the Wärtsilä network. The acquisition of John Crane Lips is seen as a valued enhancement to Wärtsilä's position as a leading global ship power supplier. The acquisition would generate additional sales of more than EUR 200 million for the Marine & Licensing division of Wärtsilä. John Crane-Lips is a supplier of integrated marine propulsion systems and marine seals and bearings.

Consolidation of manufacturing and service entities is perhaps the world's worst kept secret. Marine propulsion manufacturers, in particular, have been rapidly consolidating companies, lines and capabilities in order to broaden their organizations to be truly global, while filling any holes in the power range along the way. ZF, a renowned maker of marine transmissions, has done this and more in becoming a single source propulsion supplier. The expansion of the product line includes a complete propulsion systems was part of ZF Marine's strategic plan established in January 1999. It has now become a reality, with the founding of the Propulsion Systems division, based at ZF Padova.

The Finnish maritime market continues to serve the high-tech, high-value end of the marine business with a plethora of engineered solutions and continually evolving marine technology. As the brunt of "series production" shipbuilding (ie. bulkers and tankers) is now firmly embedded in the Far East, dominated by Japan, Korea and China, Finland continues to be a dominating force in specialty markets, most notably cruise shipping. But the industry today is vastly different from that — even five years ago. Finland has not been insulated from the wave of corporate consolidations engulfing the world. In fact, the status of its two signature yards…