Thruster makers considering propulsion-AAS
A Kongsberg azipull thruster (Source: Kongsberg)
Ship Repair Newsletter heard that Steerprop’s double-acting thruster, which features a pull-push configuration and a motor inside the hull was able to increase efficiency by between 4-10% over a conventional azipull thruster. Efficiency gains are contingent on whether vessels spend most of their time underway, like deepsea vessels; pulling like tugs and anchor handlers; or remaining on-station with dynamic positioning such as offshore platforms.
Steerprop is looking to identify new market segments following the Russia embargo, which forbids them from maintaining or replacing many of the thrusters installed on Russian icebreakers. Segment directors Tom Ekegren and Markku Miinala agreed that deepsea vessels such as boxships or tankers have little use for main propulsion thrusters; but the new generation of tiny battery-powered feeders spend a lot of their time manoeuvring in port.
Nearby Kongsberg told Ship Repair Newsletter that contra-rotating propeller (CRP) thrusters had been dropped from its portfolio. However, Kongsberg already maintains thruster ‘pools’ in some industries like oil and gas, Kongsberg EHM Manager, Azimuth Thrusters, Lars-Erik Saarinen explained. Effective condition monitoring made it possible for a thruster to go 15 years without a maintenance interval.
