REINTJES focuses on modern drive technologies for the future

REINTJES is working flat out on a green future for maritime propulsion technology. This is precisely why the Hamelin-based company is gradually adding hybrid and all-electric marine gearboxes to its own product range.

„On the one hand, we will revise our tried-and-tested transmissions with regard to electric drives and hybridisation. On the other hand, we want to develop new products for future drive technologies,“ says Managing Director Klaus Deleroi.

Exciting project

An exciting project shows that the long-established company is not only talking about the future, but is also actively helping to shape it. REINTJES has been building gearboxes for an Italian customer since the third quarter of 2022 as part of an order.

This is one of Italy’s leading ferry companies, which specialises primarily in fast passenger transport and calls at more than 30 ports in Italy, Slovenia and Croatia.

As the ferries also pass through sensitive natural areas during their journeys, some of which are even UNESCO World Heritage Sites, there was a plan to reduce the environmental impact – by modernising the technology in its own fleet.

This is where REINTJES comes in, producing a total of 18 hybrid transmissions for nine Italian ferries with a capacity of 250 passengers each and a maximum speed of 30 knots by the end of 2024.

Some of these transmissions – the only hybrid transmissions in the world in this power range that are equipped with a compact and highly efficient permanently energised electric motor as a PTI/PTO and an angled drive shaft – two of which will be installed in each of the ferries, have already been delivered.

„The hybrid performance of these transmissions is relatively high. The ferries can therefore also run purely electrically,“ says Klaus Deleroi, citing a huge advantage.

Pooling expertise in Italy

However, REINTJES is already playing a part in the future in Italy. The company recently founded a joint competence centre for hybrid and electric drives in the shipping industry with its long-standing sales partner Alberto Amici.

This joint venture is called REINTJES Hybrid Power S.r.l. (RHP) and is based near Milan. ‘With this foundation, we want to participate even more in the growing trend in the field of electric and hybrid drive systems,’ says Deleroi.

And the REINTJES boss emphasises: „At RHP, we are relying on a specialised team with application and engineering expertise that focuses on the new hybrid and electric drive systems in order to bring them to market faster.“