Tunnel thrusters
Sideways thrust at bow or stern for berthing in tight water.
- models
- 33models
- Power range
- 11–2,200kWPower range
- Propeller diameter
- 225–2,800mmPropeller diameter
Overview
A tunnel thruster moves the bow or stern of a vessel sideways, allowing agile manoeuvres in even the most restricted areas.
The propeller is driven by an electric motor, hydraulic motor or diesel engine through a right-angle gearbox. The drive is assembled inside a tunnel structure fitted at the bow or stern of the hull.
Specifications
Contra-rotating propeller tunnel thruster9 models · Download CSV
| Compare | Tunnel ID (mm) | Wall (mm) | Tunnel length (mm) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TLCT25 | 15 | 225 | 250 | 8 | 350 | 2.5 | |
| TLCT37 | 37 | 370 | 390 | 10 | 600 | 6 | |
| TLCT50 | 90 | 500 | 520 | 12 | 900 | 14.5 | |
| TLCT70 | 185 | 700 | 725 | 15 | 1,250 | 29.5 | |
| TLCT80 | 280 | 800 | 825 | 15 | 1,250 | 46 | |
| TLCT100 | 355 | 1,000 | 1,030 | 20 | 1,400 | 56 | |
| TLCT120 | 500 | 1,200 | 1,230 | 20 | 1,700 | 80 | |
| TLCT130 | 600 | 1,300 | 1,335 | 20 | 1,800 | 96 | |
| TLCT145 | 650 | 1,450 | 1,485 | 25 | 2,000 | 105 |
Fixed-pitch tunnel thruster17 models · Download CSV
| Compare | Tunnel ID (mm) | Wall (mm) | Tunnel length (mm) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TLTT25 | 11 | 225 | 250 | 8 | 350 | 1.5 | |
| TLTT37 | 30 | 370 | 390 | 10 | 600 | 4.5 | |
| TLTT50 | 50 | 500 | 520 | 12 | 800 | 7.5 | |
| TLTT70 | 160 | 700 | 725 | 15 | 1,000 | 24 | |
| TLTT80 | 200 | 800 | 825 | 15 | 1,050 | 30 | |
| TLTT90 | 250 | 900 | 925 | 20 | 1,150 | 38 | |
| TLTT110 | 330 | 1,100 | 1,130 | 20 | 1,400 | 46 | |
| TLTT130 | 470 | 1,300 | 1,335 | 20 | 1,500 | 66 | |
| TLTT135 | 520 | 1,350 | 1,388 | 20 | 1,600 | 75 | |
| TLTT150 | 560 | 1,500 | 1,535 | 25 | 1,650 | 84 | |
| TLTT165 | 760 | 1,650 | 1,685 | 25 | 1,750 | 106 | |
| TLTT185 | 1,020 | 1,850 | 1,890 | 25 | 2,000 | 132 | |
| TLTT200 | 1,270 | 2,000 | 2,040 | 30 | 2,250 | 165 | |
| TLTT225 | 1,500 | 2,250 | 2,290 | 30 | 2,400 | 200 | |
| TLTT240 | 1,750 | 2,400 | 2,450 | 30 | 2,600 | 245 | |
| TLTT265 | 2,000 | 2,650 | 2,700 | 30 | 2,800 | 285 | |
| TLTT280 | 2,200 | 2,800 | 2,485 | 30 | 2,850 | 320 |
Controllable-pitch tunnel thruster7 models · Download CSV
| Compare | Tunnel ID (mm) | Wall (mm) | Tunnel length (mm) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TLTT110-CP | 330 | 1,100 | 1,130 | 20 | 1,400 | 46 | |
| TLTT130-CP | 470 | 1,300 | 1,335 | 20 | 1,500 | 66 | |
| TLTT150-CP | 560 | 1,500 | 1,535 | 25 | 1,650 | 84 | |
| TLTT165-CP | 760 | 1,650 | 1,685 | 25 | 1,750 | 106 | |
| TLTT185-CP | 1,020 | 1,850 | 1,890 | 25 | 2,000 | 132 | |
| TLTT200-CP | 1,270 | 2,000 | 2,040 | 30 | 2,250 | 165 | |
| TLTT225-CP | 1,500 | 2,250 | 2,290 | 30 | 2,500 | 200 |
Standard model data. Units can be adapted to vessel type, drive (electric, hydraulic or diesel) and class requirements.
References
| Year | Vessel / project | AzimuthThruster scope | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 13,800 DWT duplex stainless chemical/product tanker JXQ0012 | TLTT135 500 kW single-propeller tunnel thruster | DNV |
| 2026 | River cruise ship Changjiang Xing · Aurora | 450 kW contra-rotating tunnel thrusters with integrated vibration damping | — |
| 2026 | Shen Kuo Hao DC-grid catamaran research vessel (rocket recovery command ship) | High-efficiency contra-rotating tunnel thrusters | — |
| 2026 | 150 m river cruise ship Changjiang Xing · Lanyue | China-first 9-blade (5+4) contra-rotating bow thruster | — |
Related news
13800DWT Duplex Stainless Steel Chemical/Product Tanker "JXQ0012" Launched!
On October 11, the 13800DWT chemical/product oil tanker "JXQ0012" was successfully launched at Zhoushan Xinqi Heavy…
Aurora Sets Sail: AzimuthThruster 450 kW Contra-Rotating Tunnel Thrusters on the Maiden Voyage of “Changjiang Xing · Aurora”
On 5 August, the new flagship cruise ship “Changjiang Xing · Aurora” built for Hubei Three Gorges Tourism Group…
China's Launch Vehicle Achieves First-Ever Controlled Recovery! AzimuthThruster's High-Efficiency Counter-Rotating Tunnel Thruster Supports Control Vessel "Shen Kuo Hao"
At 12:15 on July 10, 2026, the CZ-10B launch vehicle successfully lifted off from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch…
FAQ
What are the advantages of a contra-rotating tunnel thruster?
For a given power it has the smallest propeller diameter, for a given diameter it gives the highest thrust, and port and starboard thrust are almost equal. That makes it well suited to high-power bow and stern thrusters on DP offshore vessels. AzimuthThruster has delivered more than 1,000 contra-rotating thrusters since 2015.
How can the thrusters be driven?
The propeller can be driven by an electric motor, hydraulic motor or diesel engine through a right-angle gearbox. The AzimuthThruster Pro control system uses a touch panel, works with frequency converters of any brand and with hydraulic bow thrusters, and supports CANopen or PROFINET.
Specifying thrusters for a newbuild or refit?
Tell us the vessel type, the thrust or power you need and the class society. We reply with a recommended model within one working day.