Interview: Patrick Denning on the capabilities of the eVSP in reliable and precise ship assistance.
Efficiency has always been a keyword for ship assistance services. For some years now, the issue of sustainability has also been playing an increasingly important role for tug shipping companies. With the electric Voith Schneider Propeller (eVSP), we offer an innovative drive concept that combines both virtues.
Patrick Denning, Sales Application Manager, Voith Turbo Marine, elaborates why the electric Voith Schneider Propeller (eVSP) propulsion system can help meet the demands…
Precise maneuvering and the safe operation of tugs are crucial factors for efficient cargo handling in the world‘s ports. Can the eVSP help make ports even more efficient?
Absolutely. That is the very reason that the eVSP enables very sensitive and extremely fast control. On top of that, the eVSP has excellent performance over almost the entire power range. These capabilities are crucial factors in reliable and precise ship assistance. They enable ships to dock and unload faster this way.
Benefits & key facts
- In this segment, the demand for electric drive concepts has been increasing for several years
- The eVSP enables very sensitive and extremely fast control
- It also has excellent performance over almost the entire power range
The trend toward electrification is visible in all areas of the ship industry. Are tugs an exception here?
The demand for electric drive concepts has also been increasing in this segment for several years. On the one hand, of course, because environmental protection regulations worldwide require greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced. But on the other hand, shipping companies have recognized the economic benefits of electric propulsion. The eVSP, by its very nature, is more efficient than a mechanical propulsion system. This means that less energy is needed for operation. In addition, the compact design of the eVSP means it requires less installation space than conventional drives. This makes it possible to save on costs when building a tug. Furthermore, with an all-electric drive concept powered by eVSP, we have significantly fewer maintenance-intensive components, for example the shaft train. The effort required for servicing is correspondingly lower.
Which tug projects with the eVSP are already in the pipeline?
We have inquiries from and several projects with the leading tug shipping companies. Another project that is predestined for all-electric operation is our remote-controlled Voith Schneider Propeller (rcVSP) project. With this idea of a fleet of remote-controlled unmanned tugs, there is no need for lounges, sanitary facilities or even a bridge. The space could be used for batteries, for example.
The electric Voith Schneider Propeller (eVSP) combines all advantages of the VSP with the electric motor of the Voith Inline Thruster.
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