Finnish marine propulsion specialist Steerprop has secured a contract with Hvide Sande Shipyard to supply complete propulsion packages for three multi-role environmental vessels being built for the Royal Danish Navy.
The vessels have been commissioned by the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation and are being built by Orlogsskibe Danmark, a Danish consortium comprising OSK Design, Karstensens Skibsværft and Hvide Sande Shipyard. The hulls are under construction at Karstensens Skibsværft's yard in Gdańsk, Poland, before being transferred to Hvide Sande Shipyard in Denmark for final outfitting, commissioning and sea trials.
According to Steerprop, each vessel will be equipped with two contra-rotating propeller (CRP) azimuth propulsors, each rated at 1,400 kW, with Steerprop also delivering the thrusters’ permanent-magnet motors.
The full Steerprop scope of supply also includes third-party tunnel thrusters, bridge control systems and the complete propulsion control system, providing an integrated propulsion package designed to support the vessels' DNV Ice Class 1C requirements.
Steerprop will also supply bridge controls and the propulsion control system, compliant with DNV's SP2 cybersecurity requirements.
"These vessels have demanding operational requirements that combine environmental response, defence capabilities and year-round operation in Nordic waters. The propulsion solution needed to deliver excellent manoeuvrability, reliable operation in ice conditions and seamless integration with the overall vessel design," David Birkwald Thorstensen, Director, Hvide Sande Shipyard, said.
"Every naval vessel is designed around a specific operational mission, and our role is to understand those requirements and engineer the propulsion solution that delivers the performance, reliability and capability the customer depends on," Juho Rekola, Director, Sales and Project Management, Steerprop, stated.
Steerprop has previously supplied propulsion systems for governmental and naval vessel programmes worldwide, including projects in Canada, the United States and across the Nordic and Baltic regions.