Schottel equips two new Remolques Unidos tugs to be built at Armón Shipyard
The Cantabrian shipowner will reinforce its modernization plan with two azimuth thrusters that will incorporate 360º thrusters from the German firm, a world leader in port towing manoeuvring systems
Remolques Unidos (RUSA), based in Santander, has taken another step in its fleet renewal program by commissioning Armón shipyard to build two state-of-the-art tugboats that will be powered by Schottel equipment, the German manufacturer specializing in azimuth thruster systems and high-precision manoeuvring. This operation consolidates a long-standing industrial relationship between RUSA and Armón, which in recent years has resulted in the delivery of push and tug units with Schottel technology.
The two new vessels will follow ASD/azimuth thruster configuration the Cantabrian company has been incorporating into its fleet to operate in ports in northern Spain and in offshore services. The heart of the propulsion system will be provided by Schottel, which will supply 360° steerable thrusters—the Schottel Rudder Propeller (SRP) family—capable of combining maximum manoeuvrability with high bollard pull, a configuration already proven on 30- to 32-meter work tugs like those being built by Armón.
Founded in 1921 in Spay am Rhein, Germany, Schottel is a world leader in marine propulsion and manoeuvring control, with solutions ranging from azimuth thrusters and harbour tugs to plant automation and hybrid systems. The company gained worldwide recognition in 1950 when its founder, Josef Becker, presented the first rudder-propeller that combined the functions of propulsion and steering in a single unit, an innovation that remains standard in harbour tugs today.
According to industry sources, Schottel was chosen due to three factors:
- Reliability and international after-sales support, key for a fleet operating in multiple ports and requiring maximum availability.
- Manoeuvrability in confined spaces, thanks to the full rotation of the SRPs and associated control systems.
- Efficiency and bollard pull, an essential requirement for servicing large merchant vessels and escort operations.
For Armón Shipyard, the contract confirms its position as one of the most active European builders in the specialized tugboat niche, with a portfolio that, by 2025, includes units for the Panama Canal and for Spanish shipowners. The shipyard had already delivered 32-meter tugs with azimuth power and a combined power of nearly 7,000 hp to RUSA, facilitating the standardization of equipment and maintenance across the Santander-based company's fleet.
Remolques Unidos, for its part, has been expanding its presence in the Cantabrian Sea for several years and strengthening its position in the port of Santander through acquisitions and new construction. The addition of two identical tugboats with Schottel propulsion will allow it to offer more demanding services, compete in assisting next-generation vessels, and improve safety during entry and exit manoeuvres.
With this project, Schottel once again demonstrates its Iberian market extent for towing and maritime public works, a segment in which its catalogue—ranging from conventional SRPs to SYDRIVE-M hybrid solutions—has enabled it to equip everything from harbour tugs to dredgers and support vessels. “Propulsion by experts” is the motto the German company maintains, and in this case, it will translate into two units that combine German technology, Spanish construction, and operation in northern ports.
Source: Europa Azul