Shallow-draft Caspian Sea AHTS duo will feature Schottel propulsion
Written by Nick Blenkey
Two shallow draft AHTS vessels will be equipped with ice-strengthened Schottel controllable pitch propellers and transverse thrusters.
Spay, Germany, headquartered propulsion specialist Schottel is to supply a total of eight propulsion units to Turkey’s Atlas Shipyard. They will be installed in two Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessels, ordered by affiliates of Russia’s Ark Shipping and Adamant Cargo.
Designed by Turkey’s VDenge Technology, the 73.3 meters long and 16.9 meters wide vessels they are intended for operation in the Caspian Sea and will have a minimum draft of approximately 2.5 meters to enables them to operate in shallower parts of the Caspian.
Named Polar and Polus, each will be propelled by three powerful Schottel type SCP 65 4-XSG, controllable pitch propellers, each with an input power of 1,740 kW. They have a propeller diameter of 2.1 meters and an optimized hub for full feathering mode, are powered by diesel engines.
The vessels will be able to achieve a free sailing speed of 12 knots and an expected bollard pull of 70 tonnes.
To achieve maximum maneuverability, the new shallow-water vessels will each be fitted a 400 kW Schottel type STT 1 FP Transverse Thruster.The bow thrusters will also provide full dynamic positioning to DP 1 standards.
To withstand the harsh conditions of the Caspian Sea, the controllable pitch propellers will be ice-strengthened according to Finnish-Swedish Ice Class 1A Super.
The main functions of the vessels will be to haul, lay, retrieve and lift the anchors of semi-submersible drilling platforms or pipe-laying vessels. In addition to this, they will be able to tow drilling rigs, lighters, other vessels and floating facilities. They are also intended to serve as Emergency Response and Rescue Vessels (ERRVs) as well as supply transports.
Both vessels are set to be completed by the end of 2021.
