Schottel is to equip a methanol bunker vessel that will sail between several ports in the Mediterranean region with two Schottel type SRP 360 RudderPropellers and one Schottel type STT 1 transverse thruster.
The vessel will be owned by an Italian company based in Genoa that specialises in new green technologies, and is under construction at San Giorgio del Porto Shipyards in Italy, to a design by Italian company K-Ships. The 3400 dwt ship will be 91.3m in length with a breadth of 15.7m.
The two SRP 360 units will be of the embedded L-Drive variant, with an input power of 1,200kW each and a propeller diameter of 2.1m. With these propulsion units, the vessel will achieve a maximum speed of 12.5 knots. The 360-degree steerable SRP offers manoeuvrability and course stability during free sailing, due to the provision of thrust in any direction. The vessel will feature an STT 1 with an input power of 400kW and a propeller diameter of 1.2m as an auxiliary propulsion system, which will further enhance the vessel’s manoeuvring performance. This package is intended to provide high manoeuvring capabilities, particularly crucial for the handling of hazardous goods such as methanol.
The embedded L-Drive variant of the Schottel RudderPropeller features a compact electric motor, embedded in the support structure of the thruster’s azimuth module, thereby reducing the overall height of the thruster. These space-saving propulsion units are particularly suitable for installation in confined spaces or in environments where other machinery already requires a lot of space. The electric motors of the SRP units require less space in the engine room, as the horizontal drive shaft to the motor is no longer required. Due to the elimination of an upper gearbox in the L-Drive design, the power is transmitted more efficiently from the motor to the propeller. This combination of compact design and high efficiency makes the SRP suited for the requirements of the bunker vessel.
The construction of the new methanol bunker vessel is expected to be completed in 2025. Methanol is seen as one of the most important alternative fuels today. The development of an infrastructure for the transport and storage of methanol is considered a global challenge. With the bunker vessel, the Genoese owner expects to make an important contribution to the security of supply in the Mediterranean.
Image: Schottel transverse thruster (source: Schottel)
