Schottel Rudderpropellers are available in custom tailored installation variants and remain the centrepiece of the company's product range. On the basis of this propulsion system, Schottel has developed its Twin Propeller. In contrast with the Rudderpropeller, it is equipped with two propellers rotating in the same direction and is the successful optimisation of the complete Rudderpropeller system suited for ships in the medium speed range with application related higher propeller loads.

The Schottel Twin Propeller technology is one of the two pillars of a propulsion concept which Schottel has developed jointly with Siemens under the name SSP propulsor. The second pillar is a permanent magnet electric motor (PEM) developed by Siemens. With minimised space requirements, extremely high power outputs of up to 20MW are transmitted.

In addition, for the power range from 1 to 5 MW, the company supplies a diesel-electric pod drive, the Schottel Electric Propulsor (SEP). Pod drives in twin propeller versions are particularly suitable for RoPax and double ended ferries, supply vessels, tankers and boxships.

Schottel engineers are now developing a new concept that combines the main technical and economic criteria of both mechanical Rudderpropellers and pod drives. In contrast to pod drives with an electric motor inside the underwater pod, the motor in the new propulsion system will be integrated vertically into the support tube of the Rudderpropeller. This arrangement of the electric motor means that the new concept is similar to that of a Rudderpropeller with a vertical power input ('L-system'). This new very compact electric drive will cover the power range from 2,100 to 3,400kW.

MJ Information No: 18703