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SEA JAPAN 2026Products & Services Main propulsion motors for marine applications

Main propulsion motors for marine applications

Exhibitor
VEM GmbH

VEM offers motor solutions that are tailored to different areas of application and requirements. The solutions include horizontal direct drive motors, which are characterized by their efficiency and reliability and are ideal for use in various industrial applications. In addition, VEM offers vertical azimuth motors specifically designed for applications where precise control of the direction of rotation is required. These motors are ideal for use in ships and other vehicles that require precise control of the direction of movement.

Another highlight of VEM's offering are the high-speed motors for transmission solutions, such as PTI (Power Take-In) and PTO (Power Take-Off). These motors are particularly powerful and allow for high speeds, making them perfect for applications where speed and performance are crucial. Overall, VEM offers tailor-made drive solutions for a variety of industrial and maritime applications.

Horizontal motors for direct drive

Large, slow-running engines are increasingly being used to power modern ships. These motors are designed for operation on medium or low voltage converters.

Possible drive variants

  • Operation on a converter with one or more winding systems

  • Start-up via soft starter up to the highest performance

  • Combination of direct and controlled drive (tandem)

Possible machine types

  • Permanently excited synchronous motors

  • Separately excited synchronous motors

  • Asynchronous motors

Specifications

  • Low voltage or medium voltage

  • up to 30,000 kW

Vertical motors for azimuth drives

The azimuth drive is the result of the compact design of POD drives and the robust technology of standard drives. L drives replace the Z drives previously used due to their higher efficiency and lower space requirements.

Advantages of the drive concept

  • Extremely compact system with integrated drive motor

  • Minimizing installation costs at the shipyard

  • Increased efficiency due to the elimination of the topwater gearbox

  • External testing possible on a test stand before installation

  • The drive on the system is freely accessible

Possible machine types

  • Permanently excited synchronous motors

  • Asynchronous motors

Specifications

  • Low voltage or medium voltage

  • up to 16,000 kW

Main drives for water jets or on the gearbox

Electrification is also finding its way into high-speed ferries. The biggest challenge is the mechanical integration into the hull and compliance with the weight specifications. Previously used by internal combustion engines. Today and in the future, electric motors will replace them. VEM offers highly efficient drive motors for customer-specific applications.

We configure PTI/PTO applications according to your performance and speed specifications exactly for your application. Our electric drives are offered with rolling or plain bearings. They increase the overall efficiency of the ship. In cross-connect mode, they also reduce operating times and maintenance costs for the main machines. These drives are therefore particularly suitable for retrofits.

Possible machine types

  • Permanently excited synchronous motors

  • Asynchronous motors

Specifications

  • Low voltage or medium voltage

  • up to 5,000 kW

Further reading

Horizontal motors for direct drive

Horizontal motors for direct drive

Vertical motors for azimuth drives

Main drives for water jets or on the gearbox

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