Permanent Magnet Azimuth Thrusters for Offshore Vessels

Kongsberg Maritime has expanded its UUC PM azimuth thruster range with additional sizes designed to increase thrust capacity while maintaining efficiency and serviceability for offshore and marine applications.

Extending thrust capacity in underwater-mountable propulsion
The latest expansion of the UUC PM (Underwater Mountable, Permanent Magnet) azimuth thruster range adds two new configurations to the UUC PM 405 model. The new units feature propeller diameters of 3.8 m and 4.1 m, delivering thrust levels of 86 and 91 metric tons respectively. These additions extend the operating envelope of the UUC PM series for vessels that require higher thrust without proportionally increasing installation space or mechanical complexity.

Permanent magnet motor technology enables higher torque density compared with conventional induction motors, allowing increased thrust output within a compact footprint. This characteristic is particularly relevant for offshore vessels where hull space and weight distribution directly influence vessel design and performance.

Roadmap toward higher power ratings
Beyond the newly introduced models, Kongsberg Maritime has outlined a roadmap for further expansion of the UUC PM range. Planned future variants are designed to accommodate propeller diameters of up to 5.5 m with power ratings reaching 6,000 kW. This progression reflects increasing propulsion demands associated with larger vessels and more power-intensive offshore energy operations.

Such scalability supports applications in offshore support vessels, drilling rigs, and other units operating under dynamic positioning requirements, where propulsion redundancy and thrust availability are critical to station keeping and operational safety.




Maintenance and lifecycle considerations
A defining feature of the UUC PM range is its underwater-mountable design, which allows thrusters to be installed and removed without drydocking the vessel. This capability reduces planned downtime and lowers maintenance-related operational disruptions.

Kongsberg Maritime combines this design with lifecycle support services, including spare unit storage at strategic global locations and full project management for thruster replacement activities. These measures are intended to shorten maintenance windows and improve vessel availability during scheduled service intervals.

Condition monitoring and operational reliability
The thrusters incorporate integrated sensors that enable continuous condition monitoring. Live operational data supports early detection of wear or anomalies, allowing maintenance activities to be planned based on equipment condition rather than fixed intervals.

When combined with permanent magnet motor efficiency and underwater serviceability, this monitoring capability contributes to predictable performance and reduced lifecycle costs in demanding offshore environments.

Relevance for offshore propulsion systems
As offshore operations increasingly rely on dynamic positioning and high-availability propulsion, azimuth thrusters with high thrust density, efficient power conversion, and service-friendly designs play a central role. The expanded UUC PM range illustrates how permanent magnet technology and modular maintenance concepts are being applied to meet these requirements, supporting propulsion systems that balance performance, reliability, and maintainability in offshore marine operations.