Media Releases

• High reliability of the Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP) decisive
• Precision maneuverability guarantees highest safety in busy New York Harbor
• Fill-controlled fluid couplings – also by Voith – ensure effective engine management

Heidenheim/New York. The Staten Island Ferry is one of the most famous ferry services in the world. Two of the ferries are to be replaced with three new ferries over the next few years. For their propulsion system the latest generation of Voith Schneider Propellers was selected. Their high reliability and excellent maneuvering characteristics were decisive for the award of this contract. The decision was made on the basis of extensive comparison studies and model testing in renowned international institutes.

As part of a modernization program, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DoT), which owns the ferries, will decommission two older ferries and has commissioned three new ones to be built by Eastern Shipbuilding. Each new ferry will be driven and controlled by two VSP36RV6 ECS/285-2 Voith Schneider Propellers. They are the latest evolution of a propulsion concept that has proven its effectiveness over many decades. The VSP not only offers efficient propulsion, but also efficient control.

Their excellent maneuverability is a primary reason why the NYC DoT decided to use the VSP, because in the very busy New York Harbor, the ferries must be able to react promptly to new traffic situations. Besides this, the ferry service has to deal with difficult conditions like strong currents, waves as well as ice conditions in winter, which is why Voith Schneider Propulsion was selected as the best available technology.

In addition, Voith will supply four fill-controlled VTC 1150 TPZSRL turbo couplings. When drained, the engine can rotate without load, e.g. to enable gentle warming up and soft starting of the propulsion system. When filled, the fluid couplings eliminate torsional vibrations and provide the option of single engine operation mode when only one coupling is engaged. A single shaft then transmits the power to the VSP.

Voith Turbo will supply each ferry with an Electronic Control System. The vessels are equipped with two separate control stands, one at each end of the ferry. This provides captains with an excellent view of the surroundings and river traffic at all times. Each ferry is equipped with a total of four diesel engines that are arranged mid-ship. Two engines with a power of 1,863 kilowatts at 750 revolutions per minute are available for each VSP. The engine redundancy ensures minimum ferry downtimes. If one engine is out of service it will be disengaged from the driveline by the drained fluid coupling while the second one is used for propulsion.

Given the high frequency of the ferry service schedule, failure of one of the vessels would significantly impact the commuter traffic of this metropolis. Therefore high reliability and robustness of all components were essential for the order placement. Elliott Bay Design Group examined the entire driveline with regard to these criteria prior to designing the vessel. This examination revealed that the high reliability of the VSP makes redundancy unnecessary.

Approximately 22 million passengers a year use the ferries that connect Staten Island and Manhattan more than 100 times a day. Many of these passengers are commuters. However, tourists also enjoy the free crossing of more than five miles to admire the breathtaking New York skyline.

Voith Turbo, a Group Division of Voith, is a specialist for intelligent drive solutions, systems and comprehensive services. Customers from highly diverse industries such as oil and gas, energy, rail and commercial vehicles, ship technology, mining and mechanical engineering rely on the advanced technologies and solutions-driven expertise of Voith Turbo.

For 150 years, Voith’s technologies have been inspiring customers, business partners and employees around the world. Founded in 1867, Voith today has around 19,000 employees, sales of €4.3 billion and locations in more than 60 countries worldwide and is thus one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe. Being a technology leader, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive.