Press release -
Kongsberg Maritime unveils new cost-effective tunnel thrusters for merchant sector
Kongsberg, Norway, 4th June 2019 – Kongsberg Maritime has unveiled a new series of tunnel thrusters designed to meet demand from the merchant marine sector for a system that is less complex to install, easier to maintain, and more cost-effective to operate than existing thrusters of comparable size.
Drawing on more than 40 years of tunnel thruster experience and the results of a development project led by a Kongsberg Maritime team at the company’s propulsion facility in Ulsteinvik, Norway, the new Tunnel Thruster Commercial (TTC) is particularly suitable for cruise ships, ferries, ro-ro vessels and containerships.
Available in two basic sizes, covering four propeller diameters and power outputs ranging from 1000kW to 5000kW, the mechanical thruster is a modular system based on standard components, not only to reduce installation and commissioning time by between 20% to 30%, but also CAPEX and OPEX.
Commenting on the development, Bård Bjørløw, EVP Global Sales and Marketing, Kongsberg Maritime, said: “For more than 40-years we have focused our thruster development on the offshore vessel market. This sector typically requires a robust thruster with high performance and dynamic positioning capability. However, these thrusters are high-end, high-value products that do not correspond well with merchant market requirements.
“With the new TTC thruster, we have achieved a more cost-effective solution for newbuild and retrofit application to existing commercial ships,” said Bjørløw. “Since commercial ships rarely require DP functionality and only operate their thrusters for a limited period, we have been able to standardise the system, reduce components and optimise installation.”
The TTC has been specifically developed to replace thrusters of comparable size, in a vessel’s existing standard tunnel without the need for fabrication, welding or steelwork. The new thruster is fully interchangeable with the current tunnel thruster range, and the re-design does not compromise on performance.
For ease of maintenance all drive modules can be changed with access from the tunnel side and there is no need to remove the thruster’s intermediate shaft and drive motor during overhaul work.
By standardising and reducing the number of components, the TTC incorporates the same Kongsberg Maritime roller bearing and gear technologies used across the tunnel thruster range, but these have been adapted for use with Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EAL) to reduce operational impact on the marine environment.
Full-scale trials have been proven successful with the TTC running for more than 1500 hours. The TTC is designed for intermittent operation.
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Gunvor Hatling Midtbø, VP Communication
Kongsberg Maritime
Tel: +47 9921 4209
gunvor.hatling.midtbo@km.kongsberg.com
Saul Trewern
Saltwater Stone
Tel: +44 (0)1202 669244
s.trewern@saltwater-stone.com
Related links
Topics
Categories
About Kongsberg Maritime
Kongsberg Maritime is a global marine technology company providing innovative and reliable ‘Full Picture’ technology solutions for all marine industry sectors including merchant, offshore, cruise, subsea and naval. Headquartered in Kongsberg, Norway, Kongsberg Maritime has manufacturing, sales and service facilities in 34 countries.
Kongsberg Maritime solutions cover all aspects of marine automation, safety, manoeuvring, navigation, and dynamic positioning as well as energy management, deck handling and propulsion systems, and ship design services. Subsea solutions include single and multibeam echo sounders, sonars, AUV and USV, underwater navigation and communication systems.
Training courses at locations globally, LNG solutions, information management, position reference systems and technology for seismic and drilling operations are also part of the company’s diverse technology portfolio. Additionally, Kongsberg Maritime provides services within EIT (Electro, Instrument & Telecom) engineering and system integration, on an EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) basis.
Kongsberg Maritime is part of Kongsberg Gruppen (KONGSBERG), an international, knowledge-based group that celebrated 200 years in business during 2014. KONGSBERG supplies high-technology systems and solutions to customers in the oil and gas industry, the merchant marine, and the defence and aerospace industries.
