Schottel has been selected to supply rudder propellers for two LNG bunker vessels operated by Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG).

The vessels, each with a loading capacity of 20,000 cbm, are currently under construction at Jiangnan Shipyard in China and are scheduled for delivery in April 2027.

Each vessel will be equipped with two SRP 460 LE units. Schottel noted that LNG bunker vessels require propulsion systems that ensure precise manoeuvrability during ship-to-ship bunkering operations, even in challenging weather conditions.

The vessels will use a fully electric propulsion system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The SRPs will be installed in the LE-Drive variant, which features a vertically integrated electric drive motor. The design is said to eliminate the need for an upper gearbox, resulting in higher mechanical efficiency, reduced fuel consumption and lower vibration and noise levels.

The low installation height of the LE-Drive variant allows for compact integration into the vessel, the manufacturer said, adding that the SRPs will also feature Schottel ProAnode corrosion protection in order to reduce energy consumption and lower operating costs through optimised hydrodynamic flow properties.

Both vessels will be equipped with MariHub, Schottel’s IoT gateway and monitoring solution. The system records and analyses data from sensors, machinery and other components to enable condition-based maintenance and enhance operational reliability.