Special Ships

More safety and efficiency for all types of special ships

Whenever precise maneuvering in restricted areas such as harbors, rivers and even on the open sea is important, the Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP) demonstrates its superiority over conventional ship propulsion systems. This is even truer under adverse conditions with wind, waves or currents.

Long pushed convoys, buoy tenders or even floating cranes must have extremely good positioning response in limited sailing areas. Propulsion systems such as the Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP) and the Voith Inline Thruster (VIT) handle this job even under the most difficult ambient conditions.

Their fast and precise reactions to changing wind, wave and current conditions and when making course corrections provide the best possible handling characteristics and steering response. This not only provides more safety, it also increases the efficiency of the application.

The low noise level of the VIT raises the comfort of those on board. Extensive additional measures for sound insulation are unnecessary. The small amount of space required allows installation closer to the ends of the ship. This increases the effective leverage, allowing power to be reduced with respect to conventional transverse thrusters.

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Bow Steering Module

Faster in the Turns, More Cost-Effective to the Finish

Using the VSP in a Bow Steering Module (BSM) ensures that large pushed convoys can be turned faster and safer. This improved maneuvering and steering response makes large pushed convoys faster and improves their cost-effectiveness.

The location of the push boat at the back of the convoy severely restricts its steering effect at the front of the convoy. To achieve a significant improvement in maneuvering response, Bow Steering Modules (BSMs) equipped with one or two Voith Schneider Propellers can be placed at the front of such convoys.

At the same time, the BSM takes a significant load off the push boat, a fact that makes operation of the entire push convoy more economical. For example, complicated maneuvers on river bends are unnecessary because of the improved steering response. In contrast to other propulsion systems, the VSP can still generate effective transverse thrust even at high oncoming flow rates.

The speed of the push convoy increases and that makes the entire shipping chain more cost effective. In the event of oncoming traffic or when passing under bridges, the precise and quick steering response of the VSP improves the safety of the convoy. Another safety benefit: the robustness of the VSP with respect to flotsam.

Floating Crane

Floating Crane Positioning with Precision

Ships that can be precisely positioned are needed for floating crane assignments.
This requirement is satisfied by using the VSP in the widest variety of configurations. The use of assistance boats is unnecessary because of the maneuvering precision of the VSP.

Floating cranes are used to load heavy cargo in harbors, for salvage work and to perform repair tasks at sea. To ensure the best use of crane capacity, the floating crane must be positioned safely and as close as possible to the working location. For this reason, the basic requirements include positioning with precision and good maneuvering response. Equipped with Voith Schneider Propellers (VSPs), satisfying the requirements is no problem for floating cranes. This is because the quick response times of the propulsion system means that safe work can be performed at any time, even under the most difficult ambient conditions.

Floating cranes equipped with the VSP can travel unassisted to the assignment area and perform their tasks there without using anchors, winches or assistance boats. This reduces the effort and the costs.

Voith offers various VSP configurations to handle different requirements. Here, the system can display its full performance capability, regardless of whether it is installed at the end of the ship, in a double-end configuration or diagonally.

Buoy Tenders

Placing Navigational Marks Quicker and With More Precision

High precision during dynamic positioning make it easier for buoy tenders to place navigational marks and buoys precisely. The quick response times of the VSP make assignments in stormy weather or during changing currents possible and thus increase the cost-effectiveness of the ship.

Buoy tenders ensure safe navigation within a sea area by means of precisely positioned navigational marks and buoys. Only sea lanes marked with precision and the marking of shallows and other hazardous areas can ensure that sailors, passengers and cargo throughout the world will arrive safely at the destination harbor without accident.

Ships using the Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP) have proven their effectiveness many times over in placing such navigational marks. The fast response times of the propeller together with high precision during dynamic positioning make exact work possible, even if wind, weather and currents constantly change during a deployment.

With its quick maneuvering, the VSP also saves time and is more efficient underway. The VSP also provides economical progress during the transit from the harbor to the deployment area and back.