Longitudinally arranged VSPs offer higher steering forces

The most striking innovation of the vessel concept is the longitudinal arrangement of the two Voith Schneider Propellers (VSPs), one forward and one aft. While conventional Voith Water Tractors (VWTs) are equipped with aft-mounted VSPs, the RAVE (Robert Allan Voith Escort) tug concept has one propeller each mounted forward and aft, resulting in further improved tug manoeuvring characteristics.

The new vessel design has been the subject of considerable CFD analyses and tank testing and offers high direct and indirect steering forces. These can be enhanced by installing an optional Voith turbo fin. One of the key advantages of the new design compared to the conventional VWT is the generation of high lateral thrust forces at the rear of the tug.

“In confined ports or canals in particular, this concept offers advantages”, says Holger Trecksel of Voith Turbo Schneider Propulsion. It was intentional that the RAVE tug concept has not been designed for a particular size.

“With our testing and numerical simulation, we proved that this vessel concept can be implemented and we will now continue to develop it in cooperation with our customers based on their specific requirements”, Trecksel continued.