Voith power for Chinese research vessel

The 81.6m vessel will be a first for Voith in two respects. It is the first fisheries research vessel world-wide to use the proven Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP) propulsion concept and it is the first offshore order Voith has received from a Chinese customer.

Voith will deliver the two VSPs, two shaft couplings, the roll stabilisation and the entire electronic control system for vessel, including four control stands in spring 2016.

The two 28R5 ECS/234-2 Voith Schneider Propellers will give the vessel a maximum speed of approximately 15 knots.

This top speed sounds ambitious, given the size and engine power of the vessel but the speed has been achieved by the Shanghai Research Institute team responsible for the design, in close cooperation with Voith.

The customer was particularly convinced by the precise maneuverability of the research vessel provided by the VSP propulsion concept and the technically sophisticated roll stabilisation (VRS).

Those responsible at the university made it clear from the start of the project that the oceanographers who will be on board the vessel will not necessarily be experienced seafarers. To ensure a certain degree of comfort, roll stabilisation, which compensates most of the vessel roll via the VSP, was therefore considered imperative.

The research vessel will be launched by the Chinese Tianjin Xingang shipyard in summer 2016.