Page 44: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (October 2025)

Tech Files

Latest Products & Technologies

Humanoid Robots in the Shipyard?

ABS and Per- sona AI inked an MOU to de- velop inspection technologies for

Persona AI’s hu-

Steerprop Tapped for New manoid robot

Polar RV platform deploy-

Steerprop was selected to power the ment in ship-

Polarstern, Germany’s next-generation yards. Humanoid polar research icebreaker, supporting the robots are suited vessel’s demanding scienti? c mission to operate in ship- in the demanding polar environments. yards designed for human workers, offering ? exibility and mobility in complex,

TKMS will build the new Polarstern for con? ned, or ergonomically challenging spaces. Persona AI’s humanoid robots, the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz based in part on NASA’s robotic hand technology, will be out? tted to conduct a

Center for Polar and Marine Research range of shipyard tasks. Under the MOU, ABS and Persona AI will collaborate (AWI) and has selected Steerprop to on a series of joint development projects, collecting data to support classi? cation supply the azimuth propulsion system.

during ship construction. Ultimately, it will support development of new ABS

Steerprop’s polar track record is impres- standards for the types and quality of data required to support digital and remote sive, with azimuth propulsors on every survey techniques. These standards will not only guide future robot design but third icebreaker in service in the world and also help understand how to collect, evaluate, and apply robotic data for certi? ca- without a single major overhaul in more tion and compliance purposes.

than 15 years, according to the company.

Due to enter service in 2030, Po- larstern will operate for up to 310 days a year in the Arctic and Antarctic. Built to Ice Class PC2, the vessel will be pow-

Marine Fuel Pump Built for Fuel Flexibility ered by two Steerprop SP 160 PULL

As shipowners eye a future full of alternative fuel solutions

ARC LM azimuth propulsors, the larg- – LNG, ammonia, methanol, and LPG, among others – a est mechanical units of their kind ever technical sticking point traditionally has been the fuel pump, built, each delivering 9 MW of power as different fuels pose different technical challenges. DES- through a 4.8-meter diameter propeller.

MI says it has developed a gamechanger. The new DesFuel

The speci? cations require holding a

Deepwell Pump from DESMI is touted by the company as steady 3 knots through multiyear ice of up the world’s ? rst marine fuel pump designed from the ground to 1.8 meters thick with 20% snow cover. up for all alternative fuel compatibility and ? exibility. The “The new Polarstern represents the next design was inspired by DESMI’s cargo gas pump, which generation of research vessels,” said Yn- has been proven across the global marine industry since gvar Frodell, Project Director of the new 1996. As a deepwell pump, the DesFuel Deepwell Pump fea-

Polarstern at TKMS. Given the vessel’s tures include: limited time in port and expected 30-year • Essential components are placed outside the fuel tank for service life, predictive maintenance and easy access and reducing maintenance costs, reliability are central to mission success. • Maintenance and repair without gas-freeing, • No need for ? lters – the motor is air cooled and the main bearing is oil lubricated, • Optimized for low NPSHr, • Ready for all vessels and fuels – the pump will be avail- able in ? ve sizes to cover all vessel types. 44 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • October 2025

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