Thruster

  • Due to its simplicity, the rim driven thruster has for years been seen as the ideal thruster concept, but it has proved to be difficult to implement. Several attempts of implementing the rim driven thruster concept has failed over the years, but due to technological advances in materials science and production techniques, Copenhagen Subsea A/S reports that it has succeeded in implementing the concept resulting in an ultra-reliable thruster with unique features.
    Due to the extreme harsh environment to which a subsea thruster is exposed – the realization of the rim driven concept has involved the utilization of materials with very specific characteristics. The development team behind the thruster has many years of experience with subsea equipment but had to look at other industries in order to find the right combinations of materials and production techniques, which could give the right compromise between reliability and performance required in the subsea industry.
    Today one of the limiting factors in the utilization of ROV and AUV is the reliability of the thrusters. The thrusters are equally critical to the ROV operation as the rest of the sub-components - but due to the complexity of the thruster coming from moving parts; it is harder to achieve the same level of reliability as can be achieved in the non-moving parts of the system. The reliability of thrusters used in the ROV industry today is also a result of the small batch sizes in which they are produced. Copenhagen Subsea says it has successfully developed a series of industrialized thrusters with a significantly higher level of reliability. Features of the Rim driven ROV thruster include:
    •    Low Acoustic Noise Signature: Due to the fact that the rim driven propeller has a low tip speed of the propeller blades the noise emission from the propeller is significant lower than a normal propeller. Beside the propeller, the motor has no gears or other mechanical moving parts.
    •    Lightweight Propeller: Means that the moment of inertia of the thruster is small, which makes it fast to change the rotational speed of the thruster.
    •    Compact Form: The thruster is easy to integrate and the thruster has the same thrust in both directions.
    •    Fluid Free: There is no oil or other fluid inside the thruster.
    •    Hub-less Propeller:  This gives the advantage of a low risk of entanglement. Small fractions of rope and seaweed can pass through the center of the thruster.

     

    (As published in the October 2015 edition of Marine Technology Reporter - http://www.marinetechnologynews.com/Magazine)

  • five years ago, it was a strategic addition to its ZF Marine portfolio that is now reaping big rewards as it is enjoying strong penetration of its azimuth thruster systems in the U.S. towboat market. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News visited with Frank van der Vegt, Sales Manager, Commercial Craft Thruster

  • DNV-GL  approved the design of the Wärtsilä WST-14 thruster, significant as approval was granted based on a thruster design that has yet to be introduced into full series production. The approval by DNV-GL follows the release of Wärtsilä’s next generation of thrusters at the end of 2013. The new WST-14 is

  • Western Marine Electronics has delivered its powerful bow thruster systems to a Fire Boat for the City of San Francisco. Per specifications her ability to maneuver in tight situations and hold steady during firefighting operations will be facilitated by WESMAR’s Model V2-20 NS 100 HP stainless steel, dual

  • Rim-driven thruster technology has emerged and demonstrated potential for compact and super-silent maneuvering propulsion.   Silentdynamics customized rim-thruster-based propulsion solutions applications include tunnel thrusters, and Silentdynamics ERT thrusters can be configured to be retractable and/or

  • ABB has released details on its latest generation Azipod thruster, a unit which ranges in power from 1.6 megawatts to 7 megawatts (MW) and is intended to serve a growing electric propulsion market. (According to Clarkson’s Research, the number of vessels with electric propulsion has been growing at a pace

  • Many companies involved in submersible vehicle development also look to equip the vehicle with a custom thruster. These companies typically have expertise in vehicle and drive design, but will not be experienced in propulsor design. Nor would they be expected to have the specialized tools necessary for

  • Brunvoll AS of Norway reports that demand for its new custom-built thrusters is running high. The company has a long history of building thruster units of all types for a wide range of vessels, from cruise ships to offshore ships and cable layers. Its line-up includes its renowned retractable tunnel

  • Rolls-Royce has launched a new series of tunnel and azimuth thrusters to cover marine applications. Tunnel thrusters will be sold under the Kamewa Ulstein name, and will cover powers from 200 to 3,700 kW. Azimuth thrusters will carry the Ulstein Aquamaster name, and have ratings from 330 to 5,500 kW.

  • An order received recently by Schottel of America, Inc. of Miami, Fla., for its new SPJ-32 Pump Jet thruster units to be installed in two 92-foot line-handling tugs, marks the introduction of the 360-degree steerable, centrifugal-pump water thruster to the American market, and represents the first

  • — Literature Available Schottel of America, Inc., of Miami, Fla., recently received an order from the Coast Guard for a remote controlled water-jet bow propulsion and maneuvering system for a shallow-draft barge that is believed to be the first such installation in the U.S. The unit will be installed

  • Omnithruster Inc. of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., has introduced a new Omnitunnel Jet Module™ designed specifically for workboats, fishing vessels, barges, and dredge applications. The new model OJ-M450 is aimed at the conventional thruster market, and is said to be competitive in price with fixed-pitch

  • MN May-25#45  
  Cummins Inc.  
1. Complete Thruster Systems 5
Thrusters can)
    May 2025 - Marine News page: 45

    VIKING 3 VETUS Maxwell In-Mar Solutions 1 2 Life-Saving Equipment Victor 4 YouSafe Cyclone suit is delivered in Cummins Inc. 1. Complete Thruster Systems 5 Thrusters can take the stress out of high-vis GORE-TEX NARVIK, and the female-? t YouSafe Cyclone suit is docking by giving you sideways

  • MR Apr-25#35  members
heading, along with thruster and winch 
status, is)
    April 2025 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 35

    installed onboard that links wirelessly to the DP-enabled towing vessels. Real-time data on position and 243,099 members heading, along with thruster and winch status, is transferred wirelessly to the Tow Assist master computer located on the lead towing vessel. The other two towing vessels

  • MR Apr-25#34  ABB
ABB has developed thruster models that consider)
    April 2025 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 34

    systems ef? ciently.” – Kalevi Tervo, Corporate Executive Engineer and Global Program Manager, ABB Marine & Ports Image courtesy ABB ABB has developed thruster models that consider the state There are also forbidden / undesired angles which typically of motion of the vessel. This is valuable when, for example

  • MR Apr-25#33 .”
– Lauri Tiainen, 
Director Thrusters and Propulsion 
Control)
    April 2025 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 33

    operations, require different system solutions compared to traditional oil and gas vessels operating in deeper waters.” – Lauri Tiainen, Director Thrusters and Propulsion Control Systems, Wartsila Marine Wärtsilä has introduced new technologies, such as the WST-E thruster family, launched in 2024

  • MR Apr-25#32  ?  re. steerable and tunnel thrusters within the hull to optimize)
    April 2025 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 32

    could result in a blowout with ers. This includes assessing the placement and integration of I loss of life, pollution and ? re. steerable and tunnel thrusters within the hull to optimize pro- Built-in redundancy is key to avoiding failures, and this in pulsion ef? ciency. Electrical systems, gensets and

  • MN Mar-25#27  to the shipyards, engine and thruster OEM’s, the tug de-
ally)
    March 2025 - Marine News page: 27

    is very vendors – particularly for new buildings.” When it comes much about giving empowerment to the regions, but actu- to the shipyards, engine and thruster OEM’s, the tug de- ally all the way up to the vessels because we believe that signers, the world’s largest towage company can use that www.marinelink

  • MN Jan-25#45  in-
Navigation Planning
Thruster Brakes  
clude marine)
    January 2025 - Marine News page: 45

    BABAA- protection for your vessel’s interiors. 5. Furuno’s PS100 Touchscreen Compliant HYDRASTOP Common names for the products in- Navigation Planning Thruster Brakes clude marine sunshades, boat window Furuno’s PS100 Planning Station is a Force Control Industries has intro- shades and blinds for ships

  • MT Nov-24#35  on marine life. 
A new dual-thruster option further enhances)
    November 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 35

    coastal exploration, navigating in shallow water ef? ciently and collecting chemi- cal and physical data, as well as that on marine life. A new dual-thruster option further enhances maneuverability beyond shallow areas, enabling operation in strong currents. Additionally, the AURIS passive acoustic sensor

  • MR Nov-24#72  control of transmission 
thruster that is compatible with)
    November 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 72

    product in its azimuth thrust- er (AT) series, the ZF AT 90, a new well-mounted, Z-Drive smooth shift engagement and precise control of transmission thruster that is compatible with a wide range of commercial output. It is compatible with all types of engines and propul- sion systems, including waterjets

  • MR Nov-24#70  Diaphragm Pump 
Rim-Drive Thruster 
LEWA presented its triplex)
    November 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 70

    under development are those typically used by trade-relevant vessels, including 52- and 62-bore. Image courtesy WinGD Triplex Diaphragm Pump Rim-Drive Thruster LEWA presented its triplex diaphragm Achieves Silent-E Notation pumps in a new size at this year's SMM. Kongsberg Maritime’s rim-drive With an

  • MN Oct-24#43  Line Wipers
5. RD-AZ-2300 Thruster
Wynn Type C (internal)
    October 2024 - Marine News page: 43

    light or medium duty or hybrid use. Wynn Marine Type C & Type D, HeavyDuty 4. MAN D3872 LE432 Engine Straight Line Wipers 5. RD-AZ-2300 Thruster Wynn Type C (internal motor) and MAN Engines has launched the MAN Type D (external motor) Straight D3872 LE432 workboat engine, a V12 Kongsberg

  • MT Sep-24#22 , so it involved two main thrusters and two tunnel  thing)
    September 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 22

    on “It was ? ve main propulsion units that needed to be the transducers and sensors on there, and then reinstall that swapped, so it involved two main thrusters and two tunnel thing. That was a job in and of itself. thrusters, as well as one drop-down thruster, as well as a They both had main engine room

  • MT Sep-24#19  support offerings through 
? Thruster Design
the appointment)
    September 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 19

    calculations a powerful kit to develop applica- and knowledge are hard at work. tions. The company has strength- ened its support offerings through ? Thruster Design the appointment of a service center ? Vehicle Hydrodynamics within Guangzhou, China. By le- ? Propulsion Energy Budget veraging Oceasian Technology

  • MT Sep-24#16  is also increased, with three thrusters 
for diving and lifting)
    September 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 16

    . Mfg., Inc. www.jw? shers.com horizontal motion in any direction and the ability to rotate in place. Vertical power is also increased, with three thrusters for diving and lifting. The unique vertical thruster placement provides the ability to adjust the pitch and trim of the ROV. The SeaLion-3 is

  • MT Sep-24#15  Subsea A/S pioneers 
thruster technology, offering)
    September 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 15

    COPENHAGEN SUBSEA All American Marine www.copenhagensubsea.com Copenhagen Subsea A/S pioneers thruster technology, offering powerful allamericanmarine.com and silent subsea thrusters. Our ? ag- All American Marine, located on the shores of Bellingham Bay, was founded ship product is the Gorilla ROV

  • MR Aug-24#43  a total power of  ers, bow thruster electric motors, and)
    August 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 43

    . The rated power per en- gether with new alternators, transform- was the completely new engine setup, gine is 4,700 kW given a total power of ers, bow thruster electric motors, and featuring the high-ef? ciency main en- 18,800 kW to the ship.” the new shore power connection system gines and advanced exhaust

  • MT Jul-24#29  knowledge are hard at work.
? Thruster Design
? Vehicle Hydrodynamics)
    July 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 29

    order to do this.” Image courtesy Greg Trauthwein Below The Surface IS WHAT MATTERS The results from our calculations and knowledge are hard at work. ? Thruster Design ? Vehicle Hydrodynamics ? Propulsion Energy Budget ? Performance Improvements ? Silencing Propeller Noise ? Electric Motor Drives Let us expand

  • MR May-24#60   drogen powered vessels, 
thrusters, BruCon Propulsion &)
    May 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 60

    will be deliv- ? ed requirement for hy- ered from Myklebust Yard in 2026. The Brunvoll contract includes two azimuth propulsion drogen powered vessels, thrusters, BruCon Propulsion & Thruster Control System, and the Norwegian mari- time industry has stepped BruCon Auto-Crossing system, and BruCon Condition

  • MR May-24#23  the retro?  tting of thruster pods 
and DP2 capabilities)
    May 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 23

    tight of? oading criteria, mean that the process of of? oading bulk nodules is complex. These operations likely ne- cessitate the retro? tting of thruster pods and DP2 capabilities to existing ore car- riers, whilst the operations themselves are unprecedented and currently lack regulations. Further

  • MT Mar-24#15  buoyancy engine and optional thruster capa-
bility will keep)
    March 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 15

    Project tions – such as the Gulf of Mexico or the Indian Ocean – the Management from Cornell University. Sentinel’s large buoyancy engine and optional thruster capa- bility will keep the glider on track. It is expected that the Slocum Sentinel Glider will con- MARINE tinue the upward trajectory of glider

  • MR Feb-24#36  can add the control of the thruster, he says. 
The Switch)
    February 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 36

    in says Christensen. An active front end converter with a DC fuel savings over the lifetime of the vessel. Link means you can add the control of the thruster, he says. The Switch has more than 100 shaft generators in operation Additionally, shipowners can move further towards the and well over 100 in

  • MT Jan-24#43  downtime and re-
novations in thruster technology and control)
    January 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 43

    or replacement class ROVs are becoming more agile and versatile. In- based on historical performance, minimizing downtime and re- novations in thruster technology and control systems en- ducing maintenance costs. AI will revolutionize ROV technol- able them to navigate complex underwater environments

  • MT Jan-24#33  and ASW helicopters use 
? Thruster Design
the lightweight)
    January 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 33

    heavy-weight 21-inch (diameter) MK48 and knowledge are hard at work. torpedoes. Surface ships, maritime pa- trol aircraft and ASW helicopters use ? Thruster Design the lightweight 12.75-inch MK46, MK ? Vehicle Hydrodynamics 50 or MK 54 torpedoes. ? Propulsion Energy Budget Many UUVs are designed to be

  • MR Jan-24#32 ,  control system and bow thruster motors.
Finland, and)
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 32

    CRUISE FEATURE uilt by Rauma Marine Constructions, in Rauma, control system and bow thruster motors. Finland, and launched in 2021, the 150-meter-long In addition to the engines, Wärtsilä also supplied its LNG- Aurora Botnia boasts a long list of onboard equip- Pac technology for LNG storage, supply