Kongsberg Maritime has been chosen to supply special rim-drive thrusters for a new advanced acoustic research vessel. These thrusters were selected because they make very little noise under water. This is very important for ships that study sound in the ocean. Loud noise can disturb research work, so the ship needs to stay as quiet as possible.
The rim-drive thrusters work without a normal gearbox. Instead, they use an electric motor that sits inside the propeller hub. This smart design helps the ship move smoothly and quietly. It also gives better control and saves energy. Because of this, the vessel can move slowly and carefully during sensitive scientific work.
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The full thruster package includes two RD-AZ2600 azimuth thrusters, two RD-TT1600 tunnel thrusters, and the MCON control system. All these systems work together to give the ship strong control while keeping noise very low.
Kongsberg Maritime and partners
This project is very important for Kongsberg Maritime. With this order, the company has now crossed more than 100 rim-drive propulsion units used around the world. Kongsberg Maritime first introduced this technology ten years ago. Since then, it has become very popular for research ships, naval vessels, and special commercial ships that need quiet and reliable movement.
According to Naval News, Nils Reidar Valle, Senior Vice President, Naval & Workboats, Kongsberg Maritime said: “We are proud to support NPOL and GRSE with technology that enables world-class acoustic research. Our rim-drive azimuth thruster is the quietest in its class, delivering exceptionally low underwater noise to meet the most demanding research requirements. Crossing the 100-unit milestone is a clear demonstration of our commitment to innovation.”
A spokesperson from GRSE also shared confidence in the partnership. The spokesperson said: “This is a prestigious project and we see Kongsberg Maritime as a strong partner for this type of vessel with the strictest requirements.”
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Smart design
The azimuth thruster uses a six-bladed propeller placed inside a nozzle. This design helps the ship move better at low speeds and keeps underwater noise very low. The propeller has no blade tips, which helps reduce cavitation and unwanted sound. The motor sits inside the nozzle and uses permanent magnets. Because of this, it does not need extra cooling systems. This makes installation easier and cuts down on maintenance work.
The design also removes most gears. Only the steering gear remains. Fewer gears mean fewer parts that can break. This helps the system last longer and stay quiet during use.
The new research vessel will have modern labs and tools for studying oceans. Scientists will use it for ocean studies, sonar tests, and checking sound signals under water. With these rim-drive thrusters, the ship will work smoothly and quietly while protecting the environment.
