Voith to Exhibit High Efficiency and DP Systems at SMM

At this year’s SMM in Hamburg, Voith will showcase propulsion systems and vessel concepts focusing on high efficiency and dynamic positioning even under challenging conditions. In hall A4, booth 203, a Voith Schneider Propeller as well as the Voith Inline Thruster 850, which can also be used as a bow thruster, will be on display. The Voith Linear Jet, an electric control stand, and various ship models with Voith propulsion systems round off the trade stand presentation.

Offshore exploration and energy generation are gaining in importance worldwide. As a consequence, the number of offshore wind turbines as well as oil and gas platforms is increasing. All of these must regularly be supplied with staff, fresh water and drilling material. In recent years, Voith has been equipping an ever larger number of platform supply and installation vessels with propulsion systems. To ensure positioning accuracy to the meter, the Voith Schneider Propellers (VSP) used as main propulsion systems are increasingly complemented by Voith Inline Thrusters (VIT) as bow thrusters on larger vessels.

With its new vessel concepts, Voith highlights the advantages of its propulsion systems regarding dynamic positioning (DP) and combines them with ideally suited designs. The “High Flow 4” offshore construction vessel presented as a model enables dynamic positioning in currents of up to ten knots and is set to transform the offshore market. The catamaran is powered by four VSP, boasts an open deck space of approximately 1,000 square meters and is designed to install tidal energy turbines in high energy tidal streams.

The Maintainer vessel concept also on display as a model is similarly effective. It has been developed by Voith together with NavConsult, a subsidiary of the SCHRAMM group. The service vessel will close the gap between the catamarans that are currently used and large offshore supply vessels for the installation and maintenance of wind turbines. The Maintainer concept boasts DP2 and permits safe access to the wind turbines in a weather window up to a significant wave height of 2.5 meters. The combination of two VSP and two VIT 850-200 bow thrusters ensures precise dynamic positioning within the wind farm.

Visitors to the SMM can take a closer look at an original VIT at the Voith booth. With its compact design, the VIT can be integrated in more slender hull shapes and can be placed more towards the front of the bow for increased lever arm. The system has very low noise emissions. Its noise levels are 23 dB(A) below those of conventional bow thrusters, making it possible to install a VIT in the immediate vicinity of the cabins.

In addition, Voith will present a size 10 VSP. The versatility of this propulsion system for offshore applications, tugs and ferries is demonstrated by various vessel models on display: the platform supply vessel Edda Fides, the new Walk-to-Work vessel owned by logistics provider Royal Wagenborg and the Voith Water Tractor (VWT) Shinano.

Shinano is the first Voith Water Tractor with a fully electronic control system. The improvements resulting from this VSP control system can be experienced at the booth using the control system on display: The control stand level has been modified; bridge components such as joystick, wheel and propulsion control lever have been ergonomically designed. In addition to the optimized handling characteristics, the system offers a reduction in energy consumption achieved by direct triggering of the proportional valves and omission of a separate hydraulic unit. Now not only offshore supply vessels but also ferries are successfully being equipped with the electronic control system by Voith.

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