Schottel has secured a contract to supply propulsion systems for a Multi-Purpose Support Ship (MPSS) being built for the Portuguese Navy.

The vessel, to be named NRP Dom João II, is being constructed by Damen Shipyards Group and has been developed to meet the navy’s specific operational requirements. The 107-metre-long and 20-metre-wide ship will be capable of deploying unmanned drones and helicopters, with a primary focus on oceanic research, search and rescue, emergency relief, and maritime safety operations.

For the main propulsion system, Schottel will supply two electrically powered EcoPeller type SRE 560 azimuth thrusters, each with an input power of 2,600 kW. The L-Drive variant, designed to reduce installation height and mechanical losses by eliminating the upper gearbox, contributes to increased efficiency. Manoeuvrability and dynamic positioning capabilities will be enhanced by a Schottel TransverseThruster type STT 3 FP with an output of 800 kW. This configuration will enable the vessel to achieve a free-sailing speed of 15.5 knots. Furthermore, the propulsion system has been engineered to meet DNV’s ‘Silent A’ class requirements, ensuring low underwater noise emissions at a light survey speed of 10 knots.