Schottel is a manufacturer of propulsion and steering systems for ships and offshore applications. The company founder Josef Becker invented the rudderpropeller, a z-drive, in 1950. Today the company develops and manufactures azimuth propulsion, maneuvering and steering systems. In 2014 the subsidiary Schottel Hydro was founded to bundle up the company activities in the hydrokinetic energy segment.
Schottel (company)
Schottel headquarters Spay
An azimuth thruster is a configuration of marine propellers placed in pods that can be rotated to any horizontal angle (azimuth), making a rudder redundant. These give ships better maneuverability than a fixed propeller and rudder system.
Siemens Schottel azimuth thrusters
Azimuth thrusters on the tug Oued el Kebir - note the Kort nozzles
The French Navy Mistral-class amphibious assault ship Dixmude manoeuvering in Jounieh bay; the wake at the stern is perpendicular to the ship, indicating the use of her azimuth thrusters.