Schottel’s propulsion systems selected for hybrid heavy-lift vessels

Schottel ControllablePropellers (SCP) are to be installed on board four new-build Orca Class heavy-lift vessels being built by the Wuhu Shipyard in China for SAL Heavy Lift and Jumbo Shipping – a commercial joint venture under the name of Jumbo-SAL-Alliance.

The 14,600 DWT vessels will be 149.9m long and powered by dual-fuel engines capable of running on methanol. Once methanol is available in ports, the Jumbo-SAL-Alliance will offer customers carbon-neutral transportation solutions. The SCP 129 system consists of four-bladed controllable-pitch propellers – each with a 6m diameter – with an input power of up to 8,810kW.

The vessels are being built with an optimized hull form and an engine and propulsion system that includes a booster function to deliver a hybrid setup with the widest available range of economic speed settings and redundancy. The vessels will be capable of traveling at up to 18.5kts.

“The Orca Class is setting new standards in global heavy-lift shipping. They represent the new benchmark in terms of their technical capabilities and modern climate-friendly propulsion systems,” said Dr Martin Harren, owner and CEO of SAL Heavy Lift, SAL Engineering and the Harren Group. “The ships will be the most efficient vessels in their class, with consumption and emission figures far superior to any existing heavy-lift vessel today.”

Delivery of the SCPs for the Orca Class will begin in summer 2023, with the last delivery date set for 2025. The company also has the option of two additional heavy-lift vessels if required.

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