Kongsberg Maritime Expands UUC PM Azimuth Thruster Range With New Sizes

Key facts

• Two new sizes added to the UUC PM 405 underwater-mountable azimuth thruster range
• Propeller diameters of 3.8 m and 4.1 m
• Thrust ratings of 86 and 91 tonnes
• Larger models up to 5.5 m and 6,000 kW planned

Overview
Kongsberg Maritime has announced the addition of two new sizes to its UUC PM (Underwater Mountable, Permanent Magnet) azimuth thruster range, extending its portfolio of propulsion solutions for offshore and marine operations. The expansion targets vessels and units requiring higher thrust within constrained installation envelopes.

The newly introduced variants are part of the UUC PM 405 model and feature propeller diameters of 3.8 m and 4.1 m. According to the company, the units deliver 86 tonnes and 91 tonnes of thrust, respectively.

Technology and application
The UUC PM thruster range uses permanent magnet motor technology and is designed for underwater mounting and retrieval. This configuration allows thrusters to be installed or removed without drydocking, which can reduce vessel downtime during maintenance and repair operations.

Kongsberg Maritime stated that the thrusters are intended for offshore support vessels, drilling units, and other vessels operating with dynamic positioning systems, where propulsion reliability and service access are critical.

Future development roadmap
In parallel with the current launch, Kongsberg Maritime confirmed plans to further scale the UUC PM range. Future models are expected to feature propeller diameters of up to 5.5 m and power ratings reaching 6,000 kW, aimed at supporting larger vessels and more energy-intensive offshore applications.

“The introduction of these new sizes reflects our focus on meeting customer needs for flexibility and power in offshore operations,” said Pasi Villanen, Product Manager, Thrusters, Kongsberg Maritime. “Permanent magnet technology allows us to deliver higher thrust in a smaller footprint, which is critical for vessels operating in challenging environments.”

Maintenance and lifecycle support
The company highlighted that the UUC PM thrusters can be supported through spare unit availability at selected global locations and managed as part of full maintenance projects. Built-in sensors enable condition monitoring, allowing operators to track performance and plan maintenance activities based on operational data.