Kongsberg Maritime announced it has expanded its UUC PM azimuth thruster range with the introduction of two new sizes designed to improve efficiency, reliability, and performance for offshore and marine applications.
The additions to the UUC PM (Underwater Mountable, Permanent Magnet) 405 model include thrusters with 3.8- and 4.1-meter propeller diameters, delivering 86 and 91 metric tons of thrust, respectively. The expanded range is aimed at meeting the requirements of demanding offshore and marine operations.
Kongsberg Maritime said it is also planning further extensions to the UUC PM range, with future models expected to offer propeller diameters of up to 5.5 meters and power ratings of 6000 kW. The planned development supports the company’s goal of serving larger vessels and more demanding applications in the evolving offshore energy sector.
"The introduction of these new sizes reflects our focus on meeting customer needs for flexibility and power in offshore operations," Pasi Villanen, Kongsberg Maritime's thrusters project manager, said in a statement. "Permanent magnet technology allows us to deliver higher thrust in a smaller footprint, which is critical for vessels operating in challenging environments."
The UUC PM thruster range is designed for underwater mounting and removal, reducing vessel downtime and maintenance costs. Kongsberg Maritime said this capability, combined with its experience delivering turnkey thruster change-outs for drilling customers, supports time-efficient lifecycle maintenance.
According to the company, the ability to store spare units in global locations and provide full maintenance project management enables a turnkey lifecycle support solution. Built-in sensors for live condition monitoring, along with permanent magnet motor technology, are intended to deliver efficiency, reliability, and serviceability for offshore support vessels, drilling rigs, and dynamic positioning applications, the manufacturer added.
