CSSC-developed podded propulsors rival imports

Engineers at China State Shipbuilding Corp have developed a series of high-power podded propulsors, helping domestic shipyards break foreign manufacturers' long-standing dominance in this critical marine technology sector.

After 18 years of dedicated research, engineers at the Shanghai Marine Equipment Research Institute, a CSSC subsidiary specializing in ship mechanical and electronic systems, have designed and built three types of podded propulsors under the brand of S-POD to cover diverse operational needs, according to Zheng Jian, an engineer in charge of the S-POD products.

The L-type, with a propulsion power range of 1.3 to 5 megawatts, is a compact and efficient model suited for research vessels and law-enforcement ships that have displacements of more than 1,000 metric tons. When used on research vessels, it can save up to 30 percent of internal space.

The type has been deployed on the Zhuhai Yun, an unmanned system mother ship, and the Tongji, a research vessel operated by Tongji University.

The T-type, covering 1.3 to 18 MW of propulsion power, is designed for large vessels including cruise ships, passenger ro-ro vessels and offshore platforms.

The Shanghai institute has constructed China's first 10-MW podded propulsor and secured orders for it.

The model features a propulsion power equivalent to the traction power of an eight-carriage Fuxing high-speed train, with technical performance matching international advanced levels.

The TI-type, ranging from 2 to 15 MW of propulsion power, is an ice-breaking model specifically designed for polar environments, suitable for polar research vessels, icebreakers and polar operation platforms.

According to Zheng, podded propulsors are among the world's most advanced electric marine propulsion systems, serving as a core component for large cruise ships, research vessels and icebreakers.

"Unlike traditional propulsion systems with complex mechanical transmission, the S-POD propulsors integrate a permanent magnet synchronous motor and propeller inside a single pod mounted beneath the hull, enabling 360-degree full rotation for vector thrust," he said.

Zheng noted that compared with conventional propulsors, the podded systems have several advantages — their energy efficiency is improved by over 20 percent, while vibration and noise are substantially reduced. The 360-degree rotation capability allows vessels to perform complex maneuvers such as turning on the spot, greatly enhancing navigation flexibility and safety.

According to Zheng, the Shanghai institute launched research and development of podded propulsors in 2007. Engineers made the first conceptual prototype in 2015, and built a 5-MW prototype in 2018 for operating tests.

In 2023, the institute completed the construction of a dedicated manufacturing factory. The next year, design work on the 10-MW model was completed.

Prior to the development of the S-POD series, China's podded propulsion market had been monopolized by foreign suppliers for many years, with domestic shipyards relying entirely on imports.

zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn