1. business and industrial
2. shipbuilding

SOLUTIONS FOR SHIPBUILDING
Electrical Drives and Systems
Origin of photo material: Siemens Norwegen, Project “Bourbon Orca”
VEM drive solutions for all vessel types
We at VEM have led the world in marine electrical drive technology for decades. Our profound know-how comes from a
track record in electrical engineering dating back 125 years; our employees at VEM build generators and motors for
seagoing vessels around the world including cruise liners, yachts, large-volume ferries, container vessels, chemical tankers
and specialised vessels that we equip with shaft and diesel generators, pod drives, and thruster or propulsion units.
Manufacturing motors and generators up to a total weight of 200 t for all vessel types is part of our everyday work – our
portfolio includes propeller drives from 7.5 to 10 MW for mega-yachts of more than 90 meters in length alongside synchronous
VEM generators delivering up to 30 MVA as well as propulsion units at up to 30 MW that we build for the current
generation of five-star-plus cruise liners – motors that meet the very high demands placed on an internal power supply.
Broad service range
Low-voltage motors for various auxiliary drives round off our range. Exceptional reliability, durability, efficiency and environmental friendliness due to the high level of efficiency as well as ease of modification are also key features in this type of
drive, features that ensure universal application scenarios for VEM low-voltage motors. We also supply pole-changing
motors in robust cast iron for winch drives on cargo vessels alongside air conditioner motors on modern cruise liners.
Mutual success at VEM is a result of bespoke high-performance engineering that forms the basis for our shipbuilding
portfolio – strictly in accordance with all of the classification regulations applicable.
We respond quickly and flexibly to customer needs with comprehensive customer service for machine delivery on time and
on-site commissioning even under the most difficult conditions.
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At home on the high seas
We at VEM supply major names in system suppliers and shipyards that share decades of experience in marine engineering;
our customers dimension the entire electrical drive technology for the vessel and work with all the leading shipbuilding
companies in Europe, Asia and the Americas in their shipbuilding projects.
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Research and specialised vessels
Supply-vessels
Ferries
Cruise liners
Mega-yachts
Container vessels
Oil and LNG tankers
Navy
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Asynchronous and
synchronous pod drives
Synchronous
propulsion motors
Asynchronous
propulsion motors
Combi drives
Thruster resp.
transverse thruster drives
Shaft generators
Generators
(PTO resp. Diesel)
Auxiliary drives,
low and high-voltage
VEM motors and generators for use on various vessel types
Origin of photo material:
Siemens Norwegen, Project “Bourbon Orca”
Shipbuilding certifications – standard at VEM
Very specific and technically demanding regulations apply to marine drives due to the heavy environmental, operational
and reliability requirements placed on them. Certification bodies monitor work processes in the shipyard and at supplier
factories during construction, reconstruction and repairs to seagoing vessels in technical audits and acceptance tests to
ensure that these requirements are met. Our design and engineering calculation departments go one step further – we
work closely with certification bodies on new drive solutions up to construction and type approval on the test-bed for
electrical machines. Our solutions are closely examined under varying conditions for successful certification according to
specification.
We at VEM have the following marine engineering certifications:
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Klassifikations- und Beratungsgesellschaft DNV GL
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
Lloyds Register of Shipping (LR)
Bureau Veritas (BV)
Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS)
Registro Italiano Navale (RINA)
Additional classification organisations available on request!
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A good choice – marine motors from VEM
VEM motors are a good choice in seawater-resistant configurations for auxiliary units in seagoing vessels, as they are
designed and built to withstand the specific climatic and mechanical loads at sea below deck or in the offshore industry;
all of our motors come with type-test certificates from a variety of international classification bodies. We also supply bespoke
design solutions for applications above deck in compliance with IP 56.
Energy-efficient motors are in demand across the world, and corresponding regulations have been drawn up. We at VEM
are committed to working to these requirements, although EU directives do not require efficiency labelling on marine drives.
Ever-increasing numbers of shipbuilding companies and system suppliers have seen a need to use IE-marked motors with
shipping operators demanding energy-saving and environmentally friendly marine solutions.
Robust low-vibration cast-iron VEM marine drive designs have established their worth for decades, with reliable drives for
fans, pumps, capstans, and turning and lifting gear on passenger, container vessels, freighters, fishing boats, tankers,
dredgers, mega-yachts and in the offshore industry. All of these motors are naturally also available in explosion-protection
versions if needed.
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Technical specifications
Squirrel-cage asynchronous motors, dimensions and power allocation according to IEC 60072/EN 50347
Dimensions:
Output range:
Voltage/frequency:
Efficiency classes:
IP codes:
Cooling:
Designs:
Classification organisations:
Ambient temperatures:
Explosion protection:
56 – 400
0.06 – 710 kW
All common voltages, 50/60 Hz
IE2 or IE3 according to IEC/EN 60034-30-1
IP 55, optional IP 56 according to IEC/EN 60034-5
according to IEC/EN 60034-6
IC 410, IC 411, IC 416, (IC 71W on request)
IM B3, IM B35, IM B5 and derivatives according to IEC/EN 60034-7
DNV GL, BV, LRS, RMRS, ABS, other organisations available on request
according to the regulations of the corresponding classification body
Motors for use in Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 21 and Zone 22 available as options
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Auxiliary drives (low and high-voltage) – versatility is the key
VEM asynchronous machines designed for the upper low and medium-voltage applications are suitable for a variety of
deck and auxiliary drives due to their versatility. We manufacture our tried-and-true standard of asynchronous motors with
cast iron housing at axle heights of 355 to 710. Our specialised production process makes it possible to deliver the machine
ordered to our customers in the shortest possible time. We also provide our machines in welded housings ready for vessel
installation regardless of installation requirements. In addition to different foot or flange mountings, we will also fit auxiliary
drives with various degrees of protection as required for installation above and below deck. Our motors can serve cutting
head drives on work boats, amongst other things, or work reliably as pump drives for dredgers and tankers.
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Technical specifications
Output range:
Voltage range:
Frequency:
Speed range:
Number of poles:
Cooling:
500 – 5,000 kW
400 – 11,000 V
50 Hz, 60 Hz or for
converter operation
500 – 1,800 rpm
4 – 12
IC 8A1 W7 and IC 01
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VEM generators – a fail-safe on-board power supply
The power requirement on seagoing vessels makes synchronous generators essential. We provide non-salient and salient
pole versions with welded housings and brushless excitation in a number of designs, and equip the machines with digital
controllers and the appropriate monitoring systems according to specification. In addition to roller bearings, we mainly use
flange design friction bearings in low-output systems, or pedestal bearings with the necessary complex lubrication systems
on high-output generators. We design machines for operation with frequency converters in 8, 10, 12 or 14-pole versions
for use on high-output low-speed diesel engines.
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Technical specifications
Output range:
Voltage range:
Speed range:
Number of poles:
Cooling:
500 – 30,000 kVA
400 – 11,000 V
500 – 1,800 rpm
4 – 14
IC 8A1 W7
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Saving costs with powerful VEM shaft generators
Our product range at VEM includes powerful shaft generators compliant with IP 44 with air-water heat exchangers fitted.
These components used in modern shipbuilding bring about substantial reductions in fuel consumption compared to
conventional separate diesel generators. These units are installed directly onto the main shaft between the main drive and
propeller, and generate the energy required on the vessel using heavy oil. Container vessels in particular use a lot of
electricity due to the refrigerated containers on board, and our units are significantly more efficient than high-speed diesel
motors.
We dimension generators for operation using passive rectifiers and frequency converters.
The machines are designed to act as boosters or “power take home” units; the latter allows the crew to compensate for
main machine failure. The shaft generator acting as a drive motor can still bring the vessel back safely to the next port. In
booster mode on the other hand, these machines transfer additional power to the propeller shaft in certain situations. We
deliver the stator for shaft generators to the shipyard, where our service employees mount the salient poles directly onto
the main shaft of the vessel if required. These machines are designed for IP 44 and equipped with an air-water heat
exchanger.
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Technical specifications
Output range:
Voltage range:
Frequency range:
Speed range:
Number of poles:
500 – 7,500 kVA/500 kW – 7,500 kW
400 – 6,600 V
7 – 20 Hz (using a frequency converter)
40 – 200 rpm
16 (24 available on request)
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VEM thrusters – when it’s all about positioning
Electric motors are used as drives for thrusters and pump jets on almost all vessel types. These systems are indispensable
on large vessels, and play an important role in accurate positioning on pipe or cable-laying and crane vessels. Bow and
stern thruster drives on these specialised vessels deliver up to 5 MW.
Our motors are available in IM 3011 and IM 1001 designs with mounted air-water heat exchangers for IP 54 or circuitventilated for IP 23.
In addition to the VEM standard series with cast iron housing, we also provide custom-welded housings. These directdrive units (DOL) operate in S1 or S2 mode, or using frequency converters. A variable-speed controller is essential in
positioning drives.
Origin of photo material: Meyer Werft
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Technical specifications
Output range:
Voltage range:
Speed range:
Number of poles:
IP code:
500 – 5,000 kW
400 – 11,000 V
900 – 1,800 rpm
4, 6 or 8
IP 54, IP 23
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VEM Combi Drive – the best of two worlds
VEM drive motors as “Combi Drives” at 2.75 MW and 3.3
MW comprise another successful VEM motor series. We
developed this innovative drive concept – a symbiosis
between compact pod design and robust standard motor
engineering – together with SCHOTTEL, a rudder propeller
and propulsion unit specialist. Using 3D CAD systems
throughout the design phase, we are able to monitor the
mechanical implementation and construction of the machine without interruption to ensure optimised production
processes.
We built the motor for vertical integration with water-jacket
cooling into the support tube of the steering propeller. This
method makes optimal use of structural volume, which
requires a sophisticated design also necessary for ventilating
and cooling the drive. The complex bearings and the special
gearbox lubrication system ensure very high durability in our
Combi Drives. We also put a lot of effort into testing the
seals on the machine cooling and bearing lubrication
systems to ensure high availability. Eliminating the abovewater gearbox increases efficiency in the drive motor.
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Benefits of the drive concept at a glance
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Extremely compact unit with an integrated drive motor
Minimised installation costs at the shipyard
Increased efficiency by eliminating the above-water gearbox
External test-bed testing before installation available on request
Ease of access after installation
Technical specification
Output range:
Voltage range:
Speed range:
Number of poles:
IP code:
2,750 – 3,300 kW
675 V
750 – 800 rpm
8
IP 54
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VEM asynchronous propulsion units – high availability is the key
Large slow-speed asynchronous drives are becoming increasingly common in modern diesel-electric vessels. As you would
expect, we also have these motors “on board”, which we mainly supply as welded versions and in various designs in
combination with friction bearings for low noise and vibration. These motors can be configured for operation using
medium-voltage converters or low-voltage converters using up to four separate winding systems in higher output ranges.
Our asynchronous machines are equipped with robust rotor winding designs that ensure not only high availability, but also
efficient operation. State-of-the-art PWM converters in low and medium-voltage versions allow variable-speed operation.
Possible drive versions at a glance:
☐ Soft-start up to highest performance
☐ Operation using PWM converters, some using multiple winding systems
☐ Tandem operation using direct and controlled drive
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Technical specifications
Output range:
Voltage range:
Speed range:
Number of poles:
500 – 15,000 kW
400 – 11,000 V for direct drive
500 – 6,600 V for converter operation
125 – 1,800 rpm
4 – 16
Origin of photo material:
Siemens Norwegen Project “Bourbon Orca”
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VEM synchronous propulsion units – all-purpose drives
in the high torque range
Synchronous motors are used as standard drives especially where high torque is required in electric drive systems on
marine vessels. These drives are equipped with two separate winding systems, and are designed for operation using
medium-voltage synchronous converters.
You will find our drives on vessels such as mega-yachts, which require absolutely smooth drive operation; synchronous
propulsion units are also a good choice on cruise liners. The navy requires extremely high availability from their drive units,
and also use our synchronous propulsion units. Low-speed machines with separate base frames that can be equipped
with additional custom vibration damping play a special role in our range. Our variable concept for welded housing design
allows us to adjust the machine design according to installation requirements on board.
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Technical specifications
Output range:
Voltage range:
Speed range:
Number of poles:
5,000 – 30,000 kW
690 – 4,500 V for converter operation
120 – 200 rpm (1,200 rpm)
16 (6 to 24 available on request)
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VEM pod drives – efficiency and robust design and construction
The VEM product range for modern marine propulsion systems includes pod drives. We equip these units with synchronous
or asynchronous motors depending on the requirements and conditions of the vessel. The propulsion specialists at SCHOTTEL
developed the Electric Propulsor (SEP) drive for asynchronous units, a unit that features zero maintenance and compact
rotor design for economical pod-drive operation. The motor consists of a laminated package for the stator and rotor mounted
in direct contact with the hollow shaft of the rotor or outer casing of the stator. Direct rotor cooling with seawater and
custom rod design in the rotor bars keep the motor operating efficiently.
SEP drives are equipped with a small internal air-cooling circuit that also provides heat to prevent condensation at idle.
Synchronous motors with brushless or permanent magnet excitation are used for higher output range applications;
synchronous design easily allows greater air-gap widths as required due to the relatively large bearing clearances.
The insulation system on the drive motors is designed for converter operation using low voltage in the lower output range
and medium voltage in the higher output range. The preformed VPI-impregnated coils specifically developed for nonsinusoidal voltages combine mechanical rigidity with optimised and even temperature distribution within the winding.
Setting course for success with VEM Engineering
Our VEM Engineering ensures highly efficient production processes and an outstanding quality in our electric marine drives.
Our know-how in drive development comes from decades of experience in the field, and is the key to our company’s
success to the benefit of companies that own and equip seagoing vessels around the globe.
Our VEM motors meet today’s high demands on comfort in planning and implementing low-noise drives. Elastic installations
and sound attenuation are only two ways of meeting the stringent limits applicable to luxury yachts and cruise liners.
Companies across the world have been successfully setting for the high seas using shaft and diesel generators, pod drives,
thrusters and propulsion units delivered by VEM.
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Technical specifications
Principle:
Output range:
Voltage range:
Speed range:
Number of poles:
Asynchronous, synchronous – brushless
2,000 – 7,500 kW
690 – 4,500 V for converter operation
120 – 250 rpm
4 – 24
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SENSE EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE VISION
www.vem-group.com
VEM/01-011 E/0914 Printed in Germany. Subject to change.
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