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Pioneering Ro-Pax Pod Propulsion System Wins Technology Award
01 Jul 2002
The ferry MV Nils Holgerson, operated by the TT-Line of Hamburg and equipped with Siemens machinery, has won the 'Pioneering Ro-Pax Technology Award', presented by the ShipPax Information Service of Sweden.
The jury made the choice because 'it is the first Ro-Pax ferry to have a pod propulsion system, from which it enjoys major benefits in speed and manoeuvrability.' The pod propulsion system is designed and developed by the SiemensSchottel Propulsor (SSP) Consortium. The vessel, built by SSW Werft of Bremerhaven in Germany, has been in daily service on the Travemunde - Trelleborg route since July 2001.
The Nils Holgersson is driven by two electric motors housed in turnable pods mounted at the stern of the vessel providing thrust in any direction required.
They make a major contribution to ease of manoeuvring in harbours. The motors take their power from diesel generators that run at constant speed for optimum performance so that their fuel consumption and exhaust emissions are kept as low as possible.
The permanent-magnet design of the motors produces a slim and therefore hyrodynamically efficient type of construction.
Cooling is effected through the surface of the pod by the seawater that flows around it. No additional cooling systems are needed. The end result, in addition to the compact construction, is a greater cargo carrying capacity than a conventional ferry.
MJ Information No: 17234
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