Schottel retrofits Finnish ferry propellers

Both vessels, capable of holding either 14 cars or up to 60 tonnes of payload, were originally equipped with various propeller systems manufactured in different years. For the retrofit, the state-owned operator requested a bespoke installation to allow the same propeller assembly to be used.

In each ferry, two Schottel Rudderpropellers type SRP 150 have been installed. On board the Hanhivirta ferry, it was possible to install the Rudderpropeller in the existing well whereas an adapter ring was needed for the Mossala sister vessel as its well was considerably larger. To prepare for the installation at the FinFerries site, a team of engineers from the company attended a one-week training session at the Schottel Academy in Spay in Germany.

It is hoped that the retrofit will bring a higher degree of standardisation across the fleet, reducing costs for spare parts and increasing availability. In addition to the two SRP 150s, FinFerries also ordered a separate unit as a spare allowing for quick replacement in case of an outage and ensuring round-the-clock service.

Schottel also secured another order for the modernisation of a third ferry – Kuparovirta – a sister vessel to Hanhivirta, which will be retrofitted with Schottel Rudderpropellers by the end of the year.