Tunnel Thrusters

Steerprop goes beyond supplying tunnel thrusters by optimizing the entire tunnel and propulsion interaction for each vessel. Our analysis shows that optimized tunnel design can significantly increase the hull’s contribution to side force, improving maneuverability and overall performance.

Through project-specific modelling of flow separation and water migration at the tunnel entrance, Steerprop identifies design features such as rounded or chamfered tunnel openings that can dramatically increase thrust and reduce vibration. While these details may require greater installation effort upfront, they help avoid failed performance trials, improve efficiency and lower fuel and operating costs across the vessel lifecycle.

Steerprop Tunnel Thrusters uses fixed pitch propellers (FPP) because they deliver higher thrust, greater efficiency and lower operating costs than controllable pitch alternatives. Fixed pitch propellers can provide up to 20% greater thrust, allowing vessels to achieve the required performance with lower installed power and smaller tunnel apertures.

Because FPP systems use energy directly to generate thrust rather than operating at full speed in standby, they also reduce energy consumption and operating costs. The simpler configuration further helps reduce vibration and underwater radiated noise while improving reliability and lowering maintenance demands over the vessel lifecycle.

Steerprop Tunnel Thrusters reduces underwater radiated noise through a combination of propeller design, tunnel optimization and vessel integration. Rather than focusing only on the propeller, Steerprop optimizes tunnel geometry and ship structure together to minimize propeller cavitation, one of the main sources of underwater noise.

Flexible tunnel thruster mountings further reduce vibration transfer into the hull, limiting reverberation through the vessel structure. In addition, all Steerprop tunnel thrusters feature fixed pitch propellers (FPP), delivering up to 20% greater thrust than controllable pitch alternatives. Lower installed power requirements and smaller tunnel apertures help further reduce vibration and underwater radiated noise while improving overall energy efficiency.

A grid protects the thruster, but it also creates resistance. Steerprop's ice-class design is strong enough to operate without a grid, enabling maximum water flow, higher efficiency, and uncompromised thrust performance in demanding ice conditions.