Wartsila Retractable Thrusters

Wartsila retractable thrusters are used with dynamic positioning (DP) systems or provide additional thrust capacity for station keeping. Depending on project requirements, they can also be used for main or emergency propulsion. They are available in power ranges from 850 to 6500kW in both L-drive and Z-drive options, and which can be installed onto a wide range of vessels, including offshore support vessels, offshore construction vessels, shuttle tankers and special vessels such as dredgers or heavy lift vessels.

The vertical retraction system minimizes space requirements in the vessel and enables full retraction to lower the vessel resistance during transit to or from the operation area or sailing in shallow waters. When deployed, the thrusters can be independently rotated through 360°, making vessels extremely manoeuvrable with a high thrust performance and excellent DP functionality.

Why choose Wartsila

The excellent efficiency and performance of Wärtsilä retractable thrusters are further enhanced by an 8 degrees tilted propeller shaft, available on the latest retractable thruster models released by Wärtsilä. With these models, Wärtsilä is able to offer customers a retractable thruster with the lowest thruster hull interactions, making it the most efficient retractable thruster package in the market. The unique design means that customers can expect up to 20 percent more effective thrust than conventional non-tilted thrusters, depending on vessel configuration and application.

Wärtsilä Modular Thrusters (LMT)

The Wärtsilä Retractable Underwater Mountable Thruster (WST-65RU) has been designed to meet the needs of large offshore construction vessels (OCVs) as well as semi-submersible rigs and drill ships.

With its power output up to 6500kW it is typically designed for vessels that require thrusters that can be retracted during transit of while entering shallow waters, to increase the level of operational flexibility. Additionally, the WST-65RU thruster can be mounted or de-mounted while the vessel is afloat, to facilitate thruster maintenance and overhaul during the operational lifecycle. The WST-65RU is the first retractable thruster in the market to feature the unique combination of retractable and underwater mountable functionality.

The WST-65RU is based on the WST-65U underwater mountable thruster which has been designed with performance and reliability as key requirements. The 8 degree tilted propeller shaft solution is a feature which is also found on Wärtsilä Underwater Mountable thrusters and reduces the interaction between the thrusters and hull significantly, thereby enhancing the dynamic positioning performance of the vessel. The outboard part of WST-65RU is exchangeable with WST-65u, optimizing maintenance and spare part strategies.

In combination with Wärtsilä’s PCMS (Propulsion Condition Monitoring Service) downtime and maintenance costs can be minimized.

Key Benefits

• Excellent propulsion efficiency and 8 degrees tilted propeller shaft for high effective thrust to efficiently perform demanding DP operations.

• Retractable to improve vessel free-sailing efficiency and enable operations in shallow water; optional hull closing plate

• Thruster outboard part can be exchanged without dry docking the vessel: mounting and de-mounting while afloat.

• Use of telescopic shaft technology allows the E-motor to remain static.

• Integrated solution provides smallest possible area footprint and overall lighter construction.

• Based on proven recognizable technology and in-house propeller design know-how.

• High reliability.

Wärtsilä WST-24R

The Wärtsilä WST-24R is a powerful retractable thruster designed to provide auxiliary manoeuvring capability in dynamic positioning or station keeping operations. The 2400 kW power level makes it an ideal choice for shuttle tankers, and many offshore support and construction vessel types.

The excellent hydrodynamic efficiency and performance of the Wärtsilä steerable thrusters is enhanced by the 8 degree tilted propeller shaft, which provides to customers with a retractable thruster that has the lowest thruster hull interactions, making it the most efficient retractable thruster package in the market. The unique design means that customers can expect up to 20 percent more effective thrust than conventional non-tilted thrusters, depending on vessel configuration and application.

Key Benefits:

• Excellent propulsion efficiency and 8 degrees tilted propeller shaft for high effective thrust to efficiently perform demanding DP operations.

• Retractable to improve vessel free-sailing efficiency and enable operations in shallow water; optional hull closing plate.

• Less power needed for first class performance thus lowering operational cost (OPEX).

• Combined electric driven steering and retraction system reduces thruster room space requirement.

• Plug and play pre-aligned package for simple and fast installation.

• Compact design allows larger propeller within the same vessel envelope space.

• Optional compliance with CLEAN notations and US EPA VGP2013 requirements.

• Key components, such as the steering and retraction seals can be maintained inboard.