Wärtsilä has launched the WST-24R, the industry's first tilted steerable thruster with combined electric retraction and steering.
The thruster enables auxiliary manoeuvring in station keeping or dynamic positioning (DP) operations.
Tilted Propeller Shaft Configuration
One of the most notable features of the new thruster is the gearbox, which has an 8-degrees tilted propeller shaft configuration. This significantly reduces thruster/hull interactional losses, thereby producing up to 20 per cent more effective thrust than conventional non-tilted thrusters and enabling lower fuel consumption. This extra effective thrust directly contributes to the advanced DP capability of a vessel.
Reduced Environmental Impact
Replacing the existing LMT 1510, the WST-24R thruster offers more than 10 per cent added unit thrust as a result of the reduced power density. This, combined with improved hydrodynamics and the dedicated Wärtsilä Thruster Nozzle design, reduces the environmental impact of the propulsion system. The WST-24R can also be delivered to comply with clean notations and is optionally compatible with the US EPA's VGP2013 stipulations.
Easy Maintenance
The Wärtsilä WST-24R is also designed to achieve reliability with fewer components. All systems are easily accessible for maintenance, while the combined steering-retraction seals, designed to have no oil to water interface to reduce environmental risk, can be replaced from inboard. The steering is electric, rather than hydraulic, further enhancing the capabilities of the system, and the new retraction system is lightweight and safe with self-locking electric actuation.
The unit is particularly suited to applications in shuttle tankers and offshore support and construction vessels, providing them with safe and efficient operations.
Picture: The Wärtsilä WST-24R thruster offers up to 20% more effective thrust than comparable conventional thrusters.
