Royal Canadian Navy to equip new tugs with Schottel rudderpropellers

(SPAY, Germany) — The Royal Canadian Navy has placed an order with the shipyard Ocean Industries Inc. in Quebec for four new ship-handling tugs equipped with rudderpropellers from Schottel. Two tugs are to be delivered to the major Canadian naval base in Esquimalt, British Columbia, and two more to the base in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Each of the four ASD tugs will feature two Schottel rudderpropellers type SRP 430 FP (1,860 kW each) with fixed-pitch propellers measuring 7.8 feet in diameter. The azimuth thrusters will be driven by diesel engines. This configuration will achieve an expected bollard pull of 60 tonnes and a free running speed of approximately 12 knots. Known as the naval large tug (NLT) project, the new IMO Tier III vessels are based on the Robert Allan Ltd. RAmparts 2400 design.

The principal characteristics of the SRP derive from the combination of propulsion and azimuth steering. There is consequently no need for a rudder, and the engine power is optimally converted into thrust. The 360-degree rotation of the rudderpropeller means that the full input power is available for maneuvering.

These new tugs will provide towing, firefighting and other critical support services to both the Atlantic and Pacific Maritime Forces. Each tug will have an LOA of 80 feet, a moulded beam of 37 feet and a draft of 17.7 feet, along with space for a crew of six. The vessels will also have a secondary firefighting capability.

Located on Isle-aux-Coudres in the Province of Quebec, Ocean Industries’ shipyard provides construction services and ship repairs for vessels of small to medium tonnage. It produces, with the help of its 130 employees, assembly work, steel and aluminium welding, as well as finishing, sanding, painting, mechanics, pipework, electricity and machining services.

The Schottel Group, with its headquarters in Spay/Rhine, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of steerable propulsion systems for ships and offshore applications. Founded in 1921, the company has been developing and manufacturing azimuth propulsion and complete propulsion systems with power ratings of up to 30 MW for vessels of all sizes and types, for 70 years. Around 100 sales and service locations worldwide ensure customer proximity. For more information, visit www.schottel.de.

By Professional Mariner Staff