Norway’s Ulstein Verft shipyard has commissioned an offshore construction vessel, Island Venture, which sets new standards in terms of multifunctionality. Schottel supplied three powerful SCD 710 Schottel Combi Drives (formerly SCD 3040) in the Rudderpropeller version with an input power of 3,300kW each. They give the vessel increased manoeuvrability for a wide range of different applications.
Island Venture is 160m long, 30m wide and has been designed in such a way that it can be redeployed with a change of use. It was the product of a European joint venture, with building work carried out at two different locations. While the stern was produced at the Crist shipyard in Poland, the bow was built by Ulstein in Norway, where both parts were also assembled.
The vessel is designed for operation as an offshore construction vessel with multifunctional applications. Its equipment includes a 400 tonne crane for deepsea drilling operations down to a depth of 4,000m, a 140 tonne crane with 3,000m cable capacity, and three moon pools. It is ready for a subsequent change-over to passenger and cargo operations, including special measures for use as a module carrier.
The SCD is an electric azimuth thruster. In combination with a power management system, electric drives increase the efficiency of the propulsion system and reduce fuel consumption. Electric energy generation systems on board are capable of producing only the power that is required at the time and distributing it to the various consumers.
The desired thrust is set via the speed of the electric motor (frequency control). The connected generators always run at the optimum operating point. Combined with an SCD, offering high hydrodynamic and mechanical efficiency, a system of this kind is particularly economical.
The SCD is based on the Schottel Rudderpropeller, the mechanical azimuth thruster proven in decades of service in all sectors of shipping. According to the manufacturer, with the SCD Schottel’s engineers have implemented a concept that unites the decisive technical and economical advantages of the Rudderpropeller with the electric drive principle.
The SCD is available in both single and twin-propeller versions. As with the Schottel Rudderpropeller, extensive positive experience with the mechanical Schottel Twin Propeller has contributed to the electric concept.
Its compact design makes the SCD a suitable choice when space is limited. This is particularly the case with offshore supply vessels, but the SCD is also an ideal propulsion system for ropax and double-ended ferries, tankers, container ships and yachts, according to Schottel. The SCD is based on the successful Rudderpropeller models SRP 1515, SRP 2020 and SRP 3030, with their proven mechanical components, and covers the power spectrum from 2,000kW to 3,800kW with propeller diameters ranging from 2,500mm to 3,500mm.
In contrast with other commercially available systems, in which the electric motor is housed in an underwater pod that is over-dimensioned for this purpose, the motor in the SCD is vertically integrated into the support tube of the thruster and is thus inside the vessel. The SCD therefore features a very compact, hydrodynamically optimised underwater housing. It is also easy to install and to maintain.
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.