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Propulsion Products News

30 Aug 2023

ABB to Supply Ice-Classed Azipod Propulsion for Research Vessel

Illustration of the polar research Icebreaker. Image credit: Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Limited.

ABB has received an order from the Guangzhou Shipyard International to supply an Azipod® DI propulsion system for the new compact icebreaker of China’s Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering. The ship is expected to be delivered in 2025, after which it will begin to carry out operations in the Arctic and Antarctic Ocean.A complete electric propulsion system including two 4.5MW Azipod® units will drive the vessel through harsh weather and thick first-year ice to enable research on behalf of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

31 Aug 2022

Kongsberg's Thrusters, Technology Suite for Olympic CSOV Duo

Credit: Saltwater Stone

Norway's Kongsberg Maritime has signed a contract with Norwegian vessel operator Olympic to outfit two new Construction Service Operation Vessels with a technology suite. The contract is worth around NOK 64 million (around $6,4 million).Two KONGSBERG US 205 PM L FP L-drive azimuth thrusters will be situated fore and aft in the TWIN X-STERN double-ended hybrid-powered vessels."The KONGSBERG US thruster family has set the industry standards for decades being one of the company’s all-time best-selling propulsion products.

14 Aug 2020

Torqeedo Drives Toward Marine Electromobility

A 14-meter launch placed into service last year by the Swedish Sea Rescue Society has parallel diesel and electric drives consisting of twin 650 hp diesels with waterjets and dual Torqeedo Deep Blue 50 kW electric motors with 10 kWh Deep Blue lithium batteries. (Photo: Torqeedo)

The future is painted bright for companies dealing in hybrid and electric marine propulsion, as vessel owners and operators pursue cleaner technologies to comply with ever-stricter environmental regulations while also seeking ways to improve their bottom line.Case in point is Germany-based electric drives manufacturer Torqeedo, which has to date delivered more than 100,000 electric propulsion products for a wide range of recreational and commercial customers.The hybrid/electric market is one that’s ripe for growth, says Dr. Ralf Plieninger, COO and CTO, Torqeedo.

30 Nov 2018

Rolls-Royce Wins Propulsion Contract for Nine RoRo Vessels

Promas (Photo: Rolls-Royce)

Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine has won a significant contract to deliver the propulsion system to nine vessels to be built by Nanjing Jinling Shipyard Co in China for the Italian Grimaldi Group.The nine 238 meter long vessels are so called Ro-Ro vessels (Roll-on-Roll-off) designed to transport over 7,800 linear meters of rolling units, equivalent to about 500 trailers. They are named the Grimaldi Green 5th Generation, and will be hybrid powered by combining use of traditional fossil fuels during operation and battery power when in port. The vessels are being designed by Knud E.

05 Oct 2018

New Thruster Solutions Developed for Arctic Shipping

© Alexey Nagaev / Adobe Stock

A team of European marine research institutes and companies have developed creative technologies for thruster solutions that are specifically engineered for ships operating in the Arctic.With the new solutions created under the three-year ArTEco project led by Finland's VTT and Wärtsilä, thruster lifetimes can be increased, their maintenance need can be decreased and their reliability improved, particularly in extreme conditions, the project partners said.While at sea, a ship must overcome tough resistance as it displaces water masses from its path.

20 Sep 2018

Norwegian Marine Tech: In the Driver’s Seat

Earlier this summer Maritime Reporter & Engineering News ventured to Ålesund/Sunnmøre area of western Norway visiting local manufacturers and suppliers serving the global maritime industry and featuring a series of business and technology presentations by leading sector companies including Inmarsat, VARD Group, Ulstein Group, Brunvoll, Ulmatec, Jets, ABB Marine & Ports, Fostech AS and Rolls-Royce Marine. Tom Mulligan reports on new business developments and technology innovations…

02 Jul 2018

Twin Disc, Inc. Announces Closing of Veth Propulsion Acquisition

Twin Disc, Inc. a provider of power transmission technology and equipment for marine- and land-based applications, announced today that it has completed the €52.1 million (approximately $60.8 million), acquisition of Veth Propulsion Holding, B.V. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“Veth Propulsion”), a global supplier of main and auxiliary marine propulsion products. The closing price included net cash and working capital adjustments. The acquisition of Veth Propulsion establishes Twin Disc as a leading power control business for the global marine industry and expands Twin Disc’s presence in the market by adding complementary products and powerful new technologies. In addition, Veth Propulsion enhances Twin Disc’s engineering talent and product development capabilities.

13 Jun 2018

Twin Disc Acquires Veth Propulsion

(Photo: Veth Propulsion)

U.S. based power transmission technology and equipment manufacturer Twin Disc, Inc. announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Netherlands based marine propulsion products supplier Veth Propulsion Holding, B.V. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.Twin Disc said the purchase price is approximately $58.6 million plus net cash, with potential adjustments based on Veth Propulsion’s working capital as of the closing date, and will be financed through a combination of cash and new debt facilities.

06 Mar 2018

Damen Merges Marine and Van der Velden units

Damen Marine Components (DMC) and Van der Velden Marine Systems (VDVMS) announced a merger. As of 1st January the two companies are operating together as Damen Marine Components Netherlands (DMC NL). DMC has been operating ever since the early eighties of the last century in the Damen Shipyards Group, whilst VDVMS has been operating as an independent part of the Damen Shipyards Group’s components division since 2013. So in many ways the merger represents a continuation of a successful working relationship. However, the decision was taken to bring the two companies closer together in order to enhance performance. Steef E.F. Staal, managing director explained the thinking behind the move…

20 Mar 2017

New Nautican Facility Readies First Shipment

Photo: Nautican

The new Nautican Research and Development manufacturing and integration facility in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, opened in December 2016 with the support of Babcock Canada and the provincial government. The first shipment, a set of rudders, is nearing completion and will soon be delivered to Pacific Fisherman in Seattle. The new facility produces Nautican’s High-Efficiency marine propulsion products. Over the coming years Nautican will progressively transition the manufacturing of its Integrated Propulsion Units (IPUs) to the new facility as well.

10 Dec 2016

Nautican Brings New Facility, Jobs to Summerside

A former Montague resident, Elizabeth Reynolds Boyd has always been looking for a way to give back to her home province. The respected naval architect and owner of Nautican Research and Development joined Premier Wade MacLauchlan and Babcock Canada Vice President Jake Jacobson to announce a new advanced marine technology presence in Summerside. The Nautican, Babcock, and provincial partnership province will bring a manufacturing facility and 21 new full-time jobs over the next three years – joining the six employees already on staff – to Slemon Park. “I see Prince Edward Island as the best place for this new manufacturing facility given its location, skilled work force and the efforts of the government to establish the province as a hub for marine business,” Elizabeth Reynolds Boyd said.

08 Dec 2016

Nautican Brings New Facility, Jobs to Summerside

Photo courtesy of Nautican

A former Montague resident, Elizabeth Reynolds Boyd has always been looking for a way to give back to her home province. The respected naval architect and owner of Nautican Research and Development joined Premier Wade MacLauchlan and Babcock Canada Vice President Jake Jacobson to announce a new advanced marine technology presence in Summerside. The Nautican, Babcock, and provincial partnership province will bring a manufacturing facility and 21 new full-time jobs over the next three years – joining the six employees already on staff – to Slemon Park.

22 Jun 2016

Yanmar Names US/Canada West Coast Distributor

Anthony Domenici (Photo: Valley Power Systems)

Valley Power Systems has entered into a distributor agreement with Yanmar America Corporation for the sale and service of Yanmar’s commercial marine diesel engine line throughout the states of California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska, as well as the Canadian province of British Columbia. In business for over 65 years, Valley Power Systems provides power and propulsion products for the commercial and pleasure craft marine industries from manufacturers such as MTU, Electro-Motive (EMD), Scania, Northern Lights, Technicold and now Yanmar Commercial Marine.

18 Mar 2015

Wärtsilä, VTT Contribute to Propulsion Research

A new technology research programme aimed at developing propulsion products specifically for operating in arctic conditions has been implemented with Wärtsilä and VTT, the Technical Research Centre of Finland, as the main contributors. The ArTEco (Arctic Thruster Ecosystem) project will altogether be supported by ten industrial and academic partners from Finland and other countries. ArTEco is a three year programme, commencing in 2015 and ending in 2017. Its primary aim is to foster new technology for propulsion solutions in an arctic operating environment. The platform will consist of developing state-of-the-art simulation and load determining methods for dynamic loading conditions…

20 Oct 2014

Thrustmaster Announces Factory Expansion

Photo: Thrustmaster of Texas

Thrustmaster of Texas, a manufacturer of commercial marine propulsion products, signed a deal last week to expand its Houston-based production facility by 100,000 sqft (93,000 sq m). Thrustmaster said the multimillion dollar investment has been in the making for two years and is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2015 by Third Coast General Contractors. The project includes plans to double the size of the product testing area, add an onsite paint and blast facility, develop a new fabrication shop…

22 May 2014

Caterpillar Secures Complete Propulsion Systems Order

Caterpillar Marine announced that Cat power and propulsion solutions have been selected to provide an optimized tug package for a 55T ASD tug new build for Remolcadores Marracoi SL (REMARSL). Two Cat 3512C EPA Tier 2 propulsion engines have been selected to power the tug as well as 2x  MTA 523FP Azimuth thrusters. Each Cat 3512C marine propulsion engine will provide 2x1765 kw @1800 rpm of rated power. Auxiliary power will be delivered through 2 x Cat C9 engines. The vessel will be constructed at Freinaval shipyards in Spain. Cat dealer Finanzauto led Caterpillar efforts on the project. Completing the comprehensive Caterpillar efforts on the sale was Cat Financial, who was able to deliver a stellar financial package for the customer.

06 Dec 2013

Cat tackles Tier 3 and Tier 4; Completes Berg Deal

Caterpillar 3516B engine with 3500 emissions upgrade.

Caterpillar Marine and Power Systems was one of the most active companies at the 2013 International Workboat Show in New Orleans, debuting several new products that are compliant with EPA Tier 3 and 4 regulations, and finalizing the acquisition of propulsion equipment manufacturer Johan Walter Berg AB. Caterpillar Inc., which is one of the biggest names in industrial equipment, engines and turbines, recorded 2012 sales revenues of $65.9 billion. Contributing to that sum is Cat’s globally-operating subsidiary…

28 Nov 2013

New Propulsion Test Centre for Wärtsilä

New Finland Research Centre: Image credit Wärtsilä

Wärtsilä's new Propulsion Test Centre has been established and funded by Wärtsilä with strong support from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, who will provide the resources to operate the facility. The test centre is located in Tuusula, southern Finland, and will enhance the company's capabilities in product validation and research activities. The new facility enables Wärtsilä to speed the development of new, high quality and environmentally sound propulsion products together with research institutes, universities and suppliers.

25 Oct 2013

Van der Velden in Pole Position for 'Ahoy Rotterdam 2013'

Image courtesy of Van der Velden

Van der Velden Maritime Systems will be showcasing a selection of their vessel propulsion products at upcoming 'Ahoy Rotterdam',  5-8, November 2013 at booth 1405 in Hall 1. The company has also been selected to participate in the Green Route. Van der Velden will present information, about its products including the Velden® FLEX tunnel manoeuvring and propulsion system, which is designed for inland and coastal ships, and offers tremendous advantages in the expansion of capacity, fuel consumption, speed and manoeuvrability.

06 Sep 2013

Caterpillar Acquire Berg Propulsion

Caterpillar Marine has acquired Johan Walter Berg AB, whose core brand, Berg Propulsion, is a leading manufacturer of mechanically and electrically driven propulsion systems and marine controls for ships. As a result of the acquisition completion, all Berg Propulsion products will be rebranded as Caterpillar. The new Cat® Propulsion System for optimized bundles and propulsion packages includes controllable pitch propellers, transverse thrusters, azimuth thrusters, aftermarket parts and remote control systems. All Cat Propulsion System products are ideally suited for the complete and comprehensive line of Cat and MaK™ medium and high speed engines.

09 Jul 2013

Nakashima Partners with Michigan Wheel

Michigan Wheel Marine and Nakashima Propeller Co. Ltd. have announced a new strategic partnership that is designed to combine their respective business strengths and promote cooperation in developing and expanding their global marine propulsion businesses. Negotiations have been ongoing for several months during which time business operations of both organizations have continued to expand, and it is on the foundation of this strength that the deal was signed. As part of the agreement Nakashima has acquired a 30% stock holding in Michigan Wheel Marine. It is the latest of several strategic moves that Michigan have made in recent years.

23 May 2013

Açu Superport: A Modern Port Concept for Brazil

After spending a day exploring the sprawling Açu Superport and Industrial Complex construction site far up the northeast coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro courtesy of LLX and OSX, Claudio Paschoa, Maritime Reporter’s Contributing Editor in Brazil, flew back to Rio for a conversation with Marcus Berto, LLX’s new CEO at the EBX Group headquarters in downtown Rio de Janeiro. “This is a not simply a port belonging to LLX. This is a port for Brazil,” he said. LLX is the logistics branch of the EBX Group, the company founded in March 2007 by Brazilian entrepreneur Eike Batista, born eying the strong demand for modern, efficient ports in Brazil.

15 Mar 2013

Wärtsilä to Set Up New Manufacturing Plant

Wärtsilä will set up a new fully-owned manufacturing facility in Brazil to meet the increasing market demand, particularly in the offshore market. Wärtsilä's investment in the new facilities is approximately EUR 20 million. The manufacturing premises will be based on a multi-product factory concept for the assembly and testing of Wärtsilä generating sets and propulsion products. In the initial phase, activities will focus on medium sized, medium speed generating sets and steerable thrusters, with the possibility to flexibly expand the product range to respond to market needs.