Steering Systems News

HamiltonJet’s latest innovation – the LTX waterjet – has moved from initial design to commercial reality, with the first LTX36 jets commissioned on a 20-m passenger ferry in The Netherlands.The vessel Inselexpress 2, built by Next Generation Shipyard, is powered by twin LTX36 jets driven by Volvo D8 engines (313 bkW) via ZF gearboxes. During trials, the ferry comfortably met its predicted top speed of 23.5 knots, validating the LTX’s technical promises and its potential to reshape propulsion performance in the 20–30 knot range.Originally launched as a new design in 2023…

Twin Disc announced the successful completion of its $16.5 million acquisition of Kobelt Manufacturing Co. Ltd., a British Columbia-based company specializing in brake, control and steering systems for industrial and marine end markets.Twin Disc’s global presence will expand Kobelt’s international reach, while Kobelt will contribute complementary products that diversify and enhance Twin Disc’s portfolio in the industrial and marine sectors. Kobelt’s after-sales services, combined with its in-house foundry and bronze die casting capabilities featuring precision machining…

Faced with an aging fleet, the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority has turned to converted offshore support vessels (OSV) to breathe new life into its ferry operations.The operator announced its purchase of the OSVs HOS Shooting Star and HOS Lode Star from Hornbeck Offshore Services in 2022, to replace its open-deck freight vessels Gay Head and Katama, and several months later, the operator exercised an option to acquire a third OSV, HOS North Star…

A strong current caused a bulk carrier to break free from its moorings at the Convent Marine Terminal dock in Convent, La., on March 27, 2023, the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday.The Panamanian registered Sirocco was loading a cargo of coal when it broke free and drifted a half mile down the Mississippi River, colliding with a barge moored at the Mosaic Uncle Sam dock. No injuries or pollution were reported. Damage to the Sirocco, the barge and the Mosaic Uncle…

The Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) has collaborated with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited on the demonstration of an autonomous navigation system with dual navigation capabilities.The demonstration took place on the tug MT Andaman.The IRS team led by Mr. R. Srinivas, VP & HOD Electrical & Control System, conducted a thorough review of the autonomy concept, system documentation, software quality documentation and a detailed risk assessment in accordance with IRS Guidelines…

Port Angeles, Wash. boatbuilder BRIX Marine has delivered Kamohoali'i, a state-of-the-art 40- by 14-foot high tunnel catamaran (HTC) purpose-built for Haleiwa Shark Tours on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.With a full-width open cabin Superstructure on a 4014-CTC hull form, the USCG Subchapter "T" inspected vessel has capacity for 29 passengers and two crew.Kamohoali'i is powered by twin Volvo 380HP D6 diesel engines and features Seastar Optimus inboard steering systems and EPS smartcylinders.The vessel is equipped with a Garmin navigation system…

New Zealand-based HamiltonJet has launched its HJ215 waterjet, an ideal propulsion solution for a wide range of boats, says the company.It is compact and lightweight and it is built for greater efficiency at high speeds, making it an excellent waterjet for thrill-seeking tourist crafts, search and rescue vessels and other marine sectors.The new factory-made TURBO II impeller option offers superior performance where acceleration and high thrust in aerated water are important. The…

WTIVs have always been fuel-hungry. Now they are being tasked with installations that are further, deeper and heavier.Offshore wind farms continue their march into deeper water, further from shore, with turbines that can now reach more than 270 meters high with blades 120 meters long. Designers and OEMs are pushing efficiency to new levels to contain OPEX on the new-generation jack-up WTIVs taking them up there.Danish ship design firm Knud E. Hansen has chosen specialization for its Atlas A-class WTIV, a smaller derivation of its massive C-class design.

Hundested Propeller announced it has acquired Ocean Marine Systems Ltd (OMS) and with immediate effect welcomes the U.K. organization as a subsidiary.For over 100 years, Hundested Propeller has been a manufacturer of marine equipment and today it supplies complete controllable pitch propulsion systems, marine gearboxes, thrusters and sail drive solutions. The purchase of OMS will increase its thruster range, and OMS will continue its range of hydraulic cylinders and through-hull instrument deployment systems used in underwater security and seabed mapping applications.The former owners of OMS…

Rolls-Royce announced it has secured a contract to supply eight of its mtu 16V 4000 M65L engines for four 80-ton bollard pull tugboats to be built by Detroit Brasil, Ltda. and operated by Starnav Servicos Maritimos Ltda. The new tugs will feature a hybrid propulsion system, combining the mtu engines and mtu Blue Vision New Generation (BVNG) monitoring system with Z-drive thrusters, hybrid components and controls from Schottel, a manufacturer of propulsion and steering systems…

Kongsberg Maritime (KM) announced it has been awarded a contract with Finnish shipyard Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) to deliver propulsion and steering equipment for two new car and passenger ferries. The vessels will be operated by the Australian company TT-Line for the regular Spirit of Tasmania ferry service – a 10.5-hour journey across the Bass Strait between Melbourne, Victoria and Devonport, Tasmania.Each vessel will be fitted with two of KM’s Promas combined propulsion and steering systems…

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.

Last month Ciramar Shipyards signed a strategic alliance with Fassmer Technical Projects to build and repair ships in the Dominican Republic under the Dominicana Caribbean Shipyards name.“There’s been a need for a long time for a new shipyard to rise within the Caribbean region and the Americas in general, to be able to professionally service various ship types that transit the area,” said Craig R. Gundry, GM, Fassmer Technical Projects. “Luis and I came together a number of years ago and started a relationship working with each other in different ways.

Ciramar Shipyards and Fassmer Technical Projects ink a deal to Create Dominicana Caribbean ShipyardsCiramar Shipyards signed a strategic alliance with Fassmer Technical Projects that establishes the basis for cooperation in various areas, including design and construction of new ships and multipurpose vessels manufactured in the Dominican Republic. The scope of the deal also includes maintenance, manufacture and local marketing of mechanical products, including propellers, stabilization and steering systems…

JRC/Alphatron Marine announced the launch of a new autopilot system engineered to make vessels safer and more efficient.The adaptable AlphaPilot MFS-VR uses speed and draft information and it is suitable for multiple vessel types, including workboats, fast crew tender vessels, fishing boats, tugs, pleasure craft and more. As a successor to the AlphaSeaPilot MFC and MFA system, this new pilot can be used to retrofit and previous models or any other autopilot.The new MFS-VR is a speed adaptive, type approved and wheelmarked autopilot system.

Italian based international shipbuilding group Fincantieri said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian shipbuilder Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) to jointly target opportunities in the Indian defense market.With this agreement, Fincantieri said it enhances its presence in India, providing further momentum to the long-standing partnership with the governmental group CSL, which owns facilities both on the East and West coast of India.Fincantieri also noted it has been following the renewal and expansion program of the Indian Navy’s fleet for some time…

Dometic’s Vancouver facility has received RINA Approval and Certification for its Optimus 5000 Electronic Power Steering System (EPS), opening the door for growth in yachting and commercial marine markets.The Dometic Optimus 5000 EPS is engineered for inboard vessels ranging from 40 to 100-plus feet in length. Its manufacturer believes the Type Approval from the Italian classification group on the Optimus 5000 EPS for both pleasure and commercial vessels under 500 metric tons will positively impact on its marine business globally.

Damen Marine Components has won an order to supply three sets of steering and rudder systems for three dual-fueled trailing suction hopper dredgers (TSHDs) currently being built at Keppel Offshore & Marine’s shipyard in Singapore for Van Oord.The vessels will be 138-meters in length and have a hopper capacity of 10,500 cubic meters. They will represent the very latest in sustainable, energy-efficient dredging and are due for delivery in 2021. The third will be handed over the…

ZF Friedrichshafen AG's Supervisory Board has appointed Sabine Jaskula and Dr. Holger Klein to the company's Board of Management.Jaskula, an experienced HR manager and lawyer, will be responsible for Corporate HR and Legal functions from latest January 1, 2019. In this function, she will also be in charge of compliance. Dr. Klein has been appointed to ZF's Board of Management with effect from October 1, 2018. His responsibilities will include Car Chassis Technology and Aftermarket (service and parts business).

Damen Marine Components (DMC), the manufacturer of rudder and steering systems, nozzles, winches and controls, said that it has won a contract to supply a steering system for the trawler Cape Arkona.Currently in build at the Baatbygg yard at Måløy in western Norway for Austral Fisheries, the 1,150m³ vessel is capable of alternating between operating as a freezer trawler, long liner and a potter vessel, all within the period of a single trip.According to a press note, DMC will be supplying the 70-metre vessel with a Van der Velden TIMON flap rudder with heal bearing and a Van der Velden COMMANDER rotary vane steering gear.The slim-profile TIMON flap rudder is a popular and proven system which delivers superior maneuvering and course-keeping performance compared to conventional rudders.

Schottel, a manufacturer of propulsion and steering systems for ships and offshore applications, said that the new diving bell ship from the Duisburg waterway and shipping authority (WSA Duisburg) is equipped with its propulsion units.Two rudder-propellers and a pump jet enable maximum maneuverability in narrow waterways, said a press release.The special vessel is being built at the Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards Gorinchem. The order was placed by FMSW Koblenz for the federal waterways and shipping administration.The diving bell ship is powered by a total of three azimuth thrusters, two rudder-propellers and a pump jet. All systems are driven by electric motors.Both rudder-propellers type SRP 150 FP (330 kW each) have a ducted propeller diameter of 1.10 m…

The U.S. Coast Guard is known for saving lives at sea, but did you know the service plays a huge role in the economy, too?As a regulatory entity, the Coast Guard conducts marine inspections on vessels entering United States ports to make sure the vessels do not pose a safety, security, or environmental threat to the country. With 90 percent of U.S. imports and exports entering or exiting the country by ship, these inspections ensure there is fuel at the gas station, food in the store and presents at birthday parties.But even before a ship ever gets in the water…

Schottel, the manufacturer of propulsion and steering systems for ships and offshore applications, has made a strategic decision to merge its tidal energy businesses into Sustainable Marine Energy (SME), including UK subsidiary TidalStream Ltd and Canadian subsidiary Black Rock Tidal Power Inc (BRTP)."Following the successful collaboration between SME, Schottel Hydro and Black Rock Tidal Power to develop and demonstrate the PLAT-I floating tidal energy system, with deployments in Scotland and in Canada, Schottel has made a strategic decision to merge its tidal energy businesses into SME," said a press statement from Sustainable Marine Energy.The provider of tidal energy technology anchor solutions for marine current turbines said that  Schottel  has transferred all its tidal energy assets…