Voith ventures into ship designing

With its company Voith Turbo Marine Engineering in Rostock that was founded only a few months ago, Voith is breaking new ground with the development of advanced ship concepts. A concept design for a multi-purpose tug with a bollard pull of 70 tons has just been presented while the company is also working on a new ship concept, the Voith Power Tractor (VPT). Among other features, this new tractor will be capable of a bollard pull of at least 150 tons.

While Voith has been mainly known as a manufacturer of propulsion systems for ferries and Voith Water Tractors, its scope of activities has now been significantly expanded. “The trend in ship design is increasingly pointing towards systems solutions. And this is exactly what we are offering to our customers,” says Stefan Moyé, Chief Executive Officer of Voith Turbo Marine Engineering in Rostock. The new Voith Water Tractor (VWT) with a bollard pull of 70 tons is the latest example of this.

Fitted with two Voith Schneider Propellers type 32R5/265-2, the water tractor displaces 1,100 tons. The vessel also features an external fire-fighting system. Measuring 34.6m in length and 12.8m in width, the vessel is capable of a maximum speed of 13.5 knots. Thanks to a raised bow, the VWT is also suitable for open-sea operation. “The concept is the basis for classification planning. The VWT 70 belongs to the T-Class and has been developed for operating not just as a classic harbour tug but also as a multi-purpose water tractor” states Moyé.

So far, there is no concept design for the new Voith Power Tractor, but Moyé is willing to disclose some advance information: “We are working with great urgency on this new ship concept, which will definitely feature two VSP.” The VPT is said to have a bollard pull of at least 150 tons and, despite its lengths of over 50m, be capable of significantly increased transit speeds.

This means that the limits for ever larger tractors with VSP propulsion have not yet been reached. “Not too long ago, many people thought it impossible that Voith would be able to venture into the size group that is now being looked at.” With his engineering team in Rostock, Moyé has opened the doors into a new market. “Our portfolio includes the development of the ship?s hull, stability calculations, design of the hull structure, the projecting of machinery systems, the entire room layout, strength and vibration calculations, as well as projecting the ship?s equipment, such as anchor, safety and deck equipment.” Voith Turbo Marine has consciously evolved into a systems designer, “because we are a niche supplier for high-performance workboats. And this know-how can actively flow into new ship concepts,” states Moyé.