Electrification/ Pods

The future of maritime propulsion

The Elegance electric pod propulsor is a shining example of Kongsberg Maritime’s ability to create products that benefit both the customer and the environment.

  • Text:Global Sales and Marketing

    Photo:©Kongsberg Maritime

  • Craig Taylor
    Senior Manager PR & Communications
    (+44) 774 9584 285

Kongsberg Maritime continues to lead the way with innovative propulsion solutions that meet the demands of modern vessels. With growing demand for electric propulsion, one such groundbreaking development is the Elegance electric pod propulsor, designed to offer unparalleled efficiency, manoeuvrability and environmental benefits.

The company has a long-standing reputation for excellence in thruster technology, particularly in the 1-7MW range. Recognising the growing trend towards electrification, the engineering teams drew on their extensive earlier experience with the larger Mermaid pods (with cruise, offshore and naval references) to create a product that fits perfectly within this power range. 

“We saw a strong electrification trend coming and knew we had the expertise to develop a product that would meet future demands. While the larger Mermaid pod is no longer produced, we gained so much experience with this technology, which has helped us to create Elegance, a propulsor that’s focused on future demands,” says Per Nahnfeldt, Kongsberg Maritime’s Product Manager for Pods.

Unlike traditional thrusters, the Elegance pod features a direct connection between the motor and propeller, eliminating the need for gears and therefore reducing drive train losses.

Elegance is available in two main variants: the open pulling version, available in the full power range of 1.5MW to 7MW, and the pushing version with a nozzle, ranging from 2.6MW to 7.5MW. For ice-class applications, the Elegance pod can operate through ice up to one metre thick, pushing or pulling the vessel through ice. The open pulling type is designed for Polar Class 6, making it suitable for a wide range of vessels, including naval and research ships.

Elegance pods: compact design, superior performance

The Elegance pod stands out with its low noise, high efficiency, and exceptional manoeuvrability. With a standard twin-pod aft configuration, it eliminates the need for stern tunnel thrusters, simplifying vessel design and boosting efficiency. Its compact design frees up valuable space for critical systems, delivering flexibility and enhanced performance.

  • Minimizes sound for a quieter onboard experience.

    Low Noise:

  • Optimizes energy use and performance.

    High Efficiency:

  • Enhances agility while reducing design complexity.

    Excellent Manoeuvrability:

"Experience Elegance in motion"

Discover the groundbreaking features of the Elegance pod in action. Watch how its low noise, high efficiency, and superior manoeuvrability redefine maritime innovation.

Advanced features and environmental benefits

The Elegance pod boasts several advanced features that set it apart from traditional propulsion systems. It has a very low oil content and environmentally friendly seals with an air space between the water and oil, which virtually eliminates the risk of oil spillage. Exclusive in-house capabilities at the Kongsberg Hydrodynamic Research Centre (KHRC), in Kristinehamn, Sweden, include test tunnels and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) capability, allowing for detailed product optimisation.

The pulling option of the pod features twin fins, which improve steering and cavitation performance. “This means Elegance recovers losses from rotational flow more effectively than other solutions,” says Göran Grunditz, Director –Hydrodynamics. “During the development of the pod, several shapes for the tail were studied with both CFD and in the cavitation tunnel at KHRC.  “We found that the fins interact with each other and more efficiently recover rotational energy from the flow while also suppressing inception of cavitation.”

Another special feature of the pod is the slots on top of the cylindrical part to improve the motor cooling. The openings need to allow for sufficient water flow across the top part of the motor to supply sufficient cooling and, at the same time, minimise any additional drag. The Elegance pods are designed for easy installation and servicing, with underwater replaceability and the ability to be delivered later in the build process, benefiting both shipyards and owners.

The pod uses a permanent magnet (PM) electric motor, known for its robustness, compactness and high efficiency. This motor, combined with a fixed-pitch propeller made of bronze or stainless steel, ensures optimal hydrodynamic performance.

Per Nahnfeldt (pictured), Kongsberg Maritime’s Product Manager for Pods

Comprehensive system integration

The Elegance pod can be fully integrated within Kongsberg Maritime’s broad portfolio, including electrical, automation and control systems. “With our extensive range of products, which stretch from the bridge to the propeller, we can apply this technology to any vessel,” says Per. “We are a leader in the integration of complex technologies onboard ships, and for the markets we operate in, which include yacht, naval, cruise and Ro-Pax, everyone is looking at electrification. So, as the maritime industry increasingly goes electric, the Elegance pod stands out as a responsive and efficient propulsion solution for the future of shipping.”

Hydrodynamic perfection

The propeller design of the Elegance pod is tailor-made to the vessel’s specification. The target is to achieve highest possible performance, independently if high efficiency or low noise levels are requested by the customer.

The propeller design capability at Kongsberg Maritime is unique not only for its long experience from 80 years of hydrodynamic research, but also for the variation between vessel types and segments.

The experience and knowledge gained from naval programmes are applied for commercial projects where similar requirements can be seen, for example in cruise vessels or mega yachts. The interaction between hull, pod and propeller is utilised to improve efficiency, comfort and underwater radiated noise (URN) levels. 

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