Schottel success continues

The German propulsion manufacturer, Schottel, with headquarters in Spay/Rhine, remains on course for success by rounding off 2004 with another sales record. The corporate goal of 100 million euro in group sales for the new building and service sectors was achieved (2003: 90 million euro). Exports accounted again for about 80%.

Of particular significance are the latest worldwide sales successes in the areas of tug propulsion systems, offshore supply vessels and tankers, research vessels, ferries and military vessels. More and more Schottel propulsion and manoeuvring systems are also being successfully implemented in the mega yacht sector. Also contributing to the overall results is the service department with a large number of conversions and modernizations of existing systems.

The very satisfactory volume of incoming orders in the last 12 months means a further increase in orders on hand for the year 2005. Although the weakness of the US dollar, together with a dramatic rise in steel prices, have created extremely difficult trading conditions, the company, with its 600 employees worldwide (of which 500 are in Germany), plans to achieve further increases in sales and improved net earnings.

In 2005 the number of tugs benefiting from the propulsion and outstanding manoeuvring characteristics provided by Schottel products will exceed 600. In 2004 the company successfully landed orders for propulsion systems on about 75 tugs, i.e. about 150 Rudderpropellers, in the power range from 500 to 3850 kW with fixed or controllable-pitch propellers. On top of this come propulsion systems for about another 15 vessels being built for the offshore industry.

An example of an installation is the two 54 m rescue/salvage tugs under construction at Astilleros Armon Vigo, S.A. for the Spanish state coastguard service Sociedad de Salvamento y Seguridad Maritima. These vessels are being fitted with two Schottel Rudderpropellers of type SRP 3040 CP (3840 kW at 600 rpm) giving a bollard pull of 124 tonnes. Each tug is also fitted with an additional Schottel Transverse Thruster of type STT 330 LK CP (400 kW/1470 rpm).