Voith equips three new German multi-purpose vessels with Voith Inline Thrusters

The VIT has already proven effective in many offshore supply ships, cruise liners and luxury yachts. Their owners, crews and passengers appreciate the propulsion concept thanks to its very low running noise and fast responsiveness to steering commands that enables precise dynamic positioning. Both these benefits were crucial factors in the decision by the shipyard, supervising agency and operator to award the contract to Voith, because the multi-purpose vessels will have a landing pad for helicopters on the bow as well as a winching area on the stern. The precise dynamic positioning facilitated by the VIT helps to bring people and materials safely on board using these two routes.

Another argument in favor of awarding the contract to Voith was the compact design of the VIT, which does not require either a drive shaft or gearbox. As the electric motor is directly integrated into the VIT, there is space in the hull directly above the engine, offering significant space benefits compared with conventional solutions. The design principle of the VIT also results in a more direct transfer of the propulsive power, which in turn increases the thrust and thus the efficiency, helping to reduce fuel consumption.