The Chinese Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group has chosen Schottel for a comprehensive propulsion concept for four new alternative fuel-ready 100m offshore construction vessels (OCVs) designed by Norway’s Salt Ship Design under the name Salt 308 OCV.
The propulsion system requirements are very specific due to the need to operate offshore at depths of up to 3,000m in complex sea conditions. The customer for the vessels, an undisclosed European owner, will operate them in the oil and gas industry as well as in the renewable energy industry such as wind power.
Roland Schwandt, Deputy CEO Schottel said: “We would like to thank all project partners for the confidence they have placed in Schottel to equip this series of OCVs with our thrusters. The propulsion package of five thrusters per vessel will provide the future operator with the very best technology available on the market for dynamic positioning in heavy duty offshore applications.”
Each vessel will be equipped with:
- Two Schottel SRP 610DL Dynamic RudderPropellers which will contribute to the dynamic positioning ability of the complete package. In addition to significantly increased propeller acceleration/deceleration and a high-speed azimuth steering system, these azimuth thrusters additionally feature a compact design with an integrated prime mover (‘Embedded L-Drive’) and an 8-deg tilted propeller shaft, resulting in lower thruster-thruster and thruster-hull interaction. Each vessel will be equipped with two SRP 610 DL with a propeller diameter of 3,200mm and an input power of 2,700kW.
- One Schottel SRP-R 380L Retractable RudderPropeller which will supplemented the main propulsion, being sited in the bow of the vessel, with a propeller diameter of 2,200mm and an input power of 1,500kW, equivalent to the SRP-D mentioned above, driven by an integrated electric prime mover. The thruster, which is based on Schottel’s proven RudderPropeller technology, will be equipped with an 8-deg tilted propeller shaft for increased propulsion efficiency.
- Two Schottel STT6 transverse thrusters, sited in the bow, with an input power of 2,050 kW to provide enhanced manoeuvrability during dynamic positioning. The propellers will have a diameter of 2,740mm. To enhance crew comfort, both Schottel STT 6s will be elastically mounted.
The new design Salt 308 OCV has a length of 100m, a beam of 23m, a draught of 6.5m and a deck area of 1,150m2. It will be prepared for operation on alternative fuels. The first vessel is expected to be delivered in late 2026.
Image: Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group has chosen SCHOTTEL propulsion for four new OCVs (source: Schottel)
