Schottel shows diversification at SMM

Schottel forecasts sales will hit some 300 units this year, up from 230 units in 2011. Land has been purchased for a new Rudderpropller production facility at Dorth in Germany.

The company was in the spotlight the day before SMM opened, when what is claimed to currently be the world’s most powerful jack-up crane vessel was launched in nearby Bremerhaven. Innovation was commissioned by HGO InfraSea Solutions, a 50/50 partnership between German construction giant Hochtief and Belgian marine engineering specialist GeoSea of the DEME Group, which also includes Dredging International. Built at the Crist shipyard in Poland, Innovation will first be deployed for construction of the Global Tech 1 wind farm in the North Sea.

The 147m LOA vessel is powered by four Schottel Rudderpropellers of Type SRP 3030, each delivering 3,600 kW of power, taking the vessel to a speed of 12 knots. Schottel, which invented the Rudderpropeller some 50 years ago, introduced the new Rudderpropeller (SRP) 3000 and 4000 series at SMM as well as new Schottel Twin Propeller (STP) 3000 and 4000 series. The company’s Combi Drive (SCD) 4000 and 5000 are also new.

These units are characterised by compact, modular construction, weight reduced by some 20%, noise optimised gearbox, integrated steering hydraulics and a reduced oil charge. A CFD optimised system of nozzle, propeller and hub provides greater thrust. The SRP 3000 is rated for a higher input power of 2,100 kW and will provide 60 ton bollard pull in tug applications.

The new Schottel Rim Thruster (SRT) was displayed on the company’s stand at SMM. The electric propulsion system without a gearbox or driveshaft has now completed its development phase, with first deliveries for the yacht market expected by the end of next year. Versions of up to 800 kW are currently under development and commercial applications are bound to follow.

Schottel’s first step towards tapping new markets was taken with the founding of the Josef Becker Research Centre in 2010. The purchase of 40% of the shares in the British company TidalStream Ltd last year marked the company’s entry into the tidal energy sector. Tidal power plants are being jointly developed, tested and, in the near future, will be implemented. These will incorporate Schottel turbines and mobile, easy to install and maintain platforms.

By taking over the German gearbox manufacturer Wolfgang Preinfalk GmbH (PW) last year, Schottel expanded its activities beyond marine propulsion engineering. The move offers potential for benefiting from synergies in the area of propulsion systems.