Propellers News

A yacht being built for a private owner will be the first ever vessel to be equipped with Steerprop’s smallest contra-rotating propeller (CRP) azimuth propulsors to date. The order marks Steerprop’s first yacht project.The yacht will be fitted with two 700 kW Steerprop SP 8 CRP propulsors, which deliver outstanding thrust relative to power input. This efficiency enables the installation of smaller propulsor units than would be needed for single-propeller systems in order to generate the same thrust…

Rather than pinning its decarbonization hopes on future tonnage, shipping can pursue its goals today by retrofitting available technology to existing, conventionally fueled vessels, explains David Sakandelidze, Business Manager for Energy and Efficiency, Berg Propulsion.The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) target for net-zero emissions from ships by around 2050 is now only 24 years away—less than the average lifetime of a commercial ship. Today, 112,000 active vessels emit approximately 1.05 billion metric tons of combined annual emissions.

The giant ship propeller supplied by Mecklenburger Metallguss (MMG) will once again take its place in front of the Hamburg exhibition halls. On Thursday, August 27, the maritime heavyweight will return to the exhibition grounds, providing a visible signal that SMM 2026 is about to begin. Just a few days later, from September 1-4, the international maritime industry will gather in Hamburg.The propeller weights around 35.5 tons, measuring 7.8 meters in diameter and with five blades.

Kongsberg Maritime has expanded its Rim-Drive Tunnel Thruster range with two larger models designed for vessels requiring higher thrust and enhanced dynamic positioning (DP) capability.The new RD-TT 2300 and RD-TT 2600 models have propeller diameters of 2,300 mm and 2,600 mm and are rated at 2,100 kW and 2,700 kW, respectively.The models extend the upper end of Kongsberg Maritime's existing Rim-Drive range and are aimed at applications including offshore construction, subsea and renewable energy operations…

HydroComp has released PropCad 2026 to improve the daily tools used by propeller designers, manufacturers, and researchers to develop, inspect, and document marine propeller geometry.This year's release focuses on a smoother CAD Import workflow, more direct 3D model interaction, and continued modernization of the data-entry tables used throughout PropCad.Interactive Pitch-Plane Control for CAD Import ToolsOne of PropCad's most important workflows is turning existing 3D propeller geometry into usable design data.

Maritime Partners has added the M/V Ann Nash to its growing fleet. Built by FMT Shipyard & Repair in Harvey, Louisiana, the vessel continues the successful working relationship between Maritime Partners, FMT Shipyard & Repair, and Laborde Products in delivering towboats for inland marine service.The MN Ann Nash measures 52.5 feet in length overall with a 19.6-foot beam and a 3.3-foot draft. The vessel is configured with a twin-screw propulsion system powered by two Mitsubishi S62 Tier 3 engines, each rated at 803 horsepower at 1,400 RPM, for a combined 1,600 horsepower.

Defense Maritime Solutions, Inc. (DMS), an equipment manufacturer and supplier of shipboard propulsion and auxiliary systems, announced plans to invest more than $30 million to expand its operations in Chesapeake, Virginia.The investment is expected to create 32 new jobs and establish U.S. based capabilities for the manufacturing, assembly, integration, testing, finishing, packaging, and lifecycle support of Wärtsilä medium-speed engines for marine purposes. The added capabilities are intended to improve domestic maritime supply-chain resilience…

In 2026, Voith celebrates 100 years of the Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP). The VSP concept originated from Austrian engineer Ernst Schneider. In 1926, his new propeller design was successfully tested for the first time in model trials at the Vienna Ship Model Basin. Today, the VSP has become important in tug and ferry operations, offshore applications and a wide range of specialized vessels. In 1928, the vessel Torqueo became the first ship equipped with a VSP. The operating principle of the Voith Schneider Propeller remains the same to this day.

Norwegian maritime technology company Kongsberg Maritime has agreed to acquire Swedish propulsion specialist Berg Propulsion in a move aimed at expanding its marine propulsion portfolio and strengthening its position across a wider range of vessel segments.Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, although Kongsberg Maritime said the acquisition was priced at approximately the same enterprise value-to-EBITDA multiple as its own current market valuation.The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.Headquartered in Gothenburg…

Finnish marine propulsion company Steerprop remains as a supplier for a series of tugboats being built by Turkish shipyard group Med Marine, securing a repeat order for two Steerprop SP 175 T propulsors for the third vessel in the series.The contract follows a similar scope of delivery for the first two vessels, which entered service in 2024 and were the first to deploy Steerprop’s T-series propulsors tailored for the tugboat market. The propulsors will be installed on a Rascal 2100-Z series harbor tug designed by Robert Allan Ltd.…

GIT Coatings officially launched XGIT-VORTEX™, its next-generation graphene-based propeller coating system, during Posidonia 2026 alongside Lloyd’s Register at the LR x GIT Coatings Client Type Approval Ceremony.XGIT-VORTEX™ is the next evolution of GIT Coatings’ propeller coating technology, designed to help shipowners move beyond propeller polishing as a periodic recovery measure and toward long-term performance retention. The system is engineered to address the main limitations of current approaches: fouling build-up between polishing events…

SCHOTTEL has been awarded a significant contract by ONEX Shipyards & Technologies Group to supply rudderpropellers, for a new series of twenty RAstar 2800 tugs, which will be built in Elefsina shipyard, Greece. The order includes the delivery of a total of forty azimuth thrusters, as each of the ASD tugs will be fitted with two SCHOTTEL RudderPropellers type SRP 490 FP. This collaboration follows ONEX's exclusive license agreement with Canadian naval architect Robert Allan Ltd.…

Berg Propulsion has been contracted to supply the propulsion and control systems for four diesel-electric, firefighting offshore support tugs which will be the most powerful vessels of their type ever built in Türkiye.The vessels have been ordered by Smit Lamnalco from builder Uzmar Shipyard and will initially operate in French Guyana, with Berg due to deliver equipment for the first in the series in November 2026. All four tugs will feature bollard pull (bp) capacities exceeding 130 tons…

Last week at MEPC 84, the Committee approved a technical guidance circular on co-optimizing propulsion equipment for energy efficiency and underwater radiated noise at the design and retrofit stage.The circular seeks to clarify potential trade-offs between noise mitigation and conventional propeller design to promote the co-benefits of quiet ship technologies and energy performance.Case studies presented at an earlier workshop demonstrated that retrofits, such as propeller upgrades…

German marine propulsion manufacturer SCHOTTEL has been selected to supply rudder propellers for two liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessels being built for Shanghai International Port Group in China.The vessels, each with a loading capacity of 20,000 cubic meters, are under construction at Jiangnan Shipyard and are scheduled for delivery in April 2027.SCHOTTEL said the ships will each be equipped with two SRP 460 LE rudder propeller units as part of a fully electric propulsion system.The company said the LE Drive configuration integrates the electric drive motor vertically…

Under the agreement, Steerprop will be able to order tailored simulator training from Aboa Mare for its customers. The training programs are designed to support the safe and efficient operation of vessels fitted with Steerprop propulsion equipment across a range of operating conditions and vessel types.The services consist of simulator-based courses organized together with Aboa Mare, focusing on vessel handling, maneuvering and operational decision-making using propulsion systems supplied by Steerprop.

Spanish shipbuilder C.N.P. Freire has signed a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to construct four naval support vessels.The 47-meter vessels will be designed for naval support missions and built to operate in harsh weather and ice conditions. Each ship will accommodate 16 crew members, reach speeds of up to 12 knots and have an endurance of up to 10 days.The vessels will be equipped with two main cranes on the main deck and an auxiliary crane for supplies, enabling autonomous loading and unloading operations.

In December, Hydrex demonstrated their ability to mobilize anywhere in the world, carrying out a complex underwater propeller repair on a container vessel at anchorage off Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo.Following reports of a possible grounding incident, an underwater inspection revealed deformation to all six blades of the vessel’s fixed-pitch propeller. With no immediate access to drydock facilities in the region and schedule commitments to maintain, the company was contacted…

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply the engine and propulsion equipment for a new 3,800-deadweight-tonne heavy lift vessel being built for Netherlands-based operator Hartman Seatrade.The vessel will be powered by a Wärtsilä 31 engine, selected to minimize fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. The engine’s modular design is intended to reduce maintenance requirements and costs, while allowing operational flexibility for both slow and fast steaming.The ship will be constructed at Rock Shipbuilding, a newly established shipyard set up by the owner.

SLX Group Ltd has announced the acquisition of Clements Engineering (St Neots) Limited, the Bedfordshire-based specialist in marine propellers, marine shafts, sterntube assemblies and ancillary equipment for small-to-medium-sized leisure and commercial vessels.Clements Engineering has been supporting the marine industry for over 40 years, becoming a leading designers and manufacturers of propulsion engineering solutions in the United Kingdom. With its foundry and workshop, Clements Engineering supplies a range of small-to-medium-sized vessels with patterns…

ABB has secured a contract to supply integrated power, propulsion and control solution for BC Ferries’ four new hybrid-electric major vessels.The New Major Vessels have been designed to minimize emissions and underwater radiated noise (URN), with the goal of contributing to quieter and cleaner operations in the Strait of GeorgiaABB will supply a complete package of power, propulsion and control technology for four new double-ended passenger and car ferries operated by British Columbia Ferry Services (BC Ferries).One of the largest ferry operators in the world…

SCHOTTEL will supply rudder propellers for a new series of seven electric double-ended ferries by Scotland’s state-owned Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL). The vessels will be constructed by the Polish shipyard Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A, with the first delivery scheduled for 2027. Designed to operate across nine routes on Scotland’s West Coast, the ferries will contribute to more sustainable regional transport.The propulsion system selected consists of four SCHOTTEL RudderPropellers type SRP 100 L per vessel.

The new Polish Navy rescue vessel “Ratownik," currently under construction at PGZ Stocznia Wojenna, will be equipped with a propulsion package supplied by SCHOTTEL. Designed to replace the Navy’s existing rescue units, the ship will enhance submarine crew rescue capabilities and strengthen the protection of subsea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. The launch is scheduled for 2027, with delivery to the Polish Navy in 2029.Built to perform complex rescue operations, including precise dynamic positioning (DP) during diving missions…