Kongsberg Maritime is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its innovative rim drive azimuth thruster and has now booked almost 100 orders for the groundbreaking propulsion solution. Following extensive trials of the first
Photo: Kongsberg Maritime
Kongsberg Maritime is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its innovative rim drive azimuth thruster and has now booked almost 100 orders for the groundbreaking propulsion solution.
Following extensive trials of the first prototype tunnel thrusters, including installation on the anchor handling vessel Olympic Octopus, the first rim drive azimuth thruster was introduced in 2015 onboard the Norwegian research vessel RV Gunnerus.
Since then, the technology has evolved into a versatile offering available in both tunnel (RD-TT) and azimuth (RD-AZ) configurations, for a wide range of vessel types including offshore support vessels and cruise ships, and dynamic positioning platforms.
The rim-drive thrusters offer high-efficiency, low-noise operation, achieved through a direct electric drive with a permanent magnet motor integrated into the propeller rim. This design eliminates the need for a vertical drive shaft and gearbox, reducing mechanical complexity and underwater radiated noise, an increasingly critical factor in sustainable marine operations.
“This milestone reflects our commitment to delivering future-ready propulsion solutions
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