Cumulative production of azimuth thruster “Z-Peller” achieved the nation’s largest number of 4,000 units
Recently, NIIGATA Power Systems Co., Ltd., (hereinafter referred to as
“Niigata”) achieved the cumulative production of 4,000 units of the
azimuth thruster (full 360-degree turnable Z-shaped propulsion system)
Z-Peller (hereinafter referred to as “Z-Peller”). The 4,000th Z-Peller
product ZP-41 is a larger-type product in the NPS Z-Peller product
lineup and is intended for use with offshore operation boats.
Niigata started the development work for propulsion systems that have a
strong thrust toward full 360-degree horizontal directions in the 1960s
when ships grew rapidly in size and the demand for high-output port
tugboats grew, and we shipped the first unit from the Kamata factory of
the former Niigata Engineering Co., Ltd., (Ota-ku, Tokyo) in April 1969.
At present, the number of the systems used not only for the harbor
tugboats, but also for the offshore support boats used in the ocean
development fields, including petroleum/gas drilling rigs and FPSO, is
increasing. Niigata offers the product lineup of Z-Peller covering the
range of continuous outputs from 735 kW (1,000 PS) to 3,089 kW (4,200
PS), thereby ensuring a response to versatile customer needs.
Z-Peller is an excellent propulsion system that enables operation of the
ship by controlling the propulsion directions with complete control
without rudder plates, including sideslip, sharp turns, single-point
turns, sudden stops, and positioning. In addition, it is designed to
provide a strong thrust, and the demand for Z-Peller that features high
maneuverability and strong propulsion force is steadily growing as the
propulsion system not only for supporting safe ship berthing or clearing
the berth of ocean boats that are growing in size, but also for use with
the anchor handling tug supply vessels (AHTS) which tow resource mining
rigs or the platform supply vessels (PSV), which supply materials to the
resource mining rigs in the sea area where oceanic currents are strong.
Niigata is one of the few manufacturers who can consistently supply
propulsion systems ranging from medium-speed diesel engines mounted on
harbor tugboats or offshore support vessels to Z-Peller. In addition,
after the shipment of the first product in 1969, we have been receiving
a high evaluation in both aspects of performance and reliability. At
present, we are the leading manufacturer who has gained market share of
90% of the azimuth thrusters in Japan, and we have a 30% market share
throughout the world.
Niigata will be continuously working hard to improve performance and
reliability, develop products to satisfy versatile needs, and
proactively develop sales activities, aiming for acquiring more users.