North Star Shipping Chooses ZF Thrusters

Three years ago, North Star Shipping installed ZF thrusters in the Grampion Don, the first in a series of new Emergency Response and Rescue Vessels (ERRVs). After three years in service, the craft’s ZF 4011 RT thruster passed without any problems at its first drydock inspection.

North Star Shipping, part of the Craig Group, provides 24/7 support to more than 30 offshore installations in one of the world’s most hostile marine environments. Five of its D-class ERRVs are currently working to support oil and gas operators in the North Sea, with three further vessels to come, and all eight will be equipped with the ZF thrusters.

David Coultas, Technical Director with North Star Shipping, said, “The vessels operate in some pretty harsh conditions in the North Sea. We were not satisfied with the performance of the previous units we had installed and were recommended to use the ZF units because they were well designed and robust.”

Coultas continued, “They are officially classed as back-up propulsion and they need to be reliable for the service we provide. The units have proved their worth to us.”

The ZF 4011 RT used by North Star Shipping is a retractable thruster providing high maneuverability and station-keeping capability. It is a compact design offering highly customized and fully integrated propulsion solutions and optimized efficiency, ZF said.

ZF Marine Propulsion Systems develops and produces a multitude of 360° steerable azimuth thrusters and transverse tunnel thrusters for all kind of applications throughout the marine industry. The thruster units can be furnished with electric, diesel or hydraulic drive systems.