Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd recently announced that it had received its first order for the newly developed E-series Rexpeller azimuth thruster.

Four units were ordered by China Communications Import & Export Corporation (CIESCO) for delivery to Tianjin Lingang Tug Co Ltd; they will enter into service in the second half of 2018, on tugs helping large ships to enter and leave the port of Tianjin.

The Rexpeller can be freely rotated 360deg horizontally to generate thrust in any direction and thus provides excellent manoeuvrability, hence its use on tugboats, supply boats, drill-ships and cable layers.

The E-series Rexpellers ordered by CIESCO have been designed to offer excellent energy savings.

Indeed, Kawasaki says it has achieved energy savings of up to 7% (compared to the conventional series) by developing a high-performance and compact propeller duct (Kort nozzle), and optimising the design of the lower gear case.

The company began production of Rexpeller azimuth thrusters in 1983 and has since delivered about 1,000 units.