Steerprop to Deliver Azimuth Propulsors for Series of RAmparts Tugs
UZMAR Shipyards has chosen Steerprop to deliver six SP 20 WD azimuth propulsion units for a series of three Robert Allan Ltd. designed RAmparts 2300_UZM tugs being built.
The contract for the six SP 20 WD azimuth propulsion units, delivering 1,610 kW of power each, was signed in April 2021 and will be delivered in the third quarter of 2021.
“The Robert Allan designed RAmparts 2300_UZM tugs with 50+ ton of bollard pull are very efficient and agile tugs, providing a lot of performance in a compact package,” said Donato Agostinelli, Sales Manager at Steerprop. “Since the tugs will be operating in challenging conditions and performing very different tasks throughout their life, the propulsion units must be efficient and reliable under all circumstances. For these reasons, the units also come with our Condition Monitoring system as standard.”
Electrical steering
To increase the achieved BP and to improve the maneuverability of the tugboat, the azimuth propulsors have an electrical steering that enables more efficient use of the main engine’s power compared to hydraulic steering.
“The agile electrical steering system in our Z-drive azimuth propulsion increases overall performance and reduces the running costs of the vessels,” Agostinelli said.
“The electrical system can also be upgraded with a battery pack to enhance performance even further, while at the same time lowering the environmental footprint of the system.”
The propulsors’ robust and accurate electric steering gears also offer a constant steering speed, which is essential when performing sensitive tasks like escorting tankers.
“Since the steering uses power only when actively turning, it is very energy-efficient,” Agostinelli said. “In addition, the electrical steering also produces significantly less noise than hydraulic steering systems and requires little service due to its mechanically simple construction.”
“We identified a clear customer need and saw that we could make the necessary changes to our base design in the short time we had at hand,” Agostinelli said. “We think this is a great reference to make a re-entry in a segment that is not new to us, but in which we have not been present for a while.”