SCHOTTEL Rudder Propeller Becomes New Highlight of the Collection

Spectacular Transport to the phanTECHNIKUM

This morning, 16 March 2026, the Technical State Museum of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern experienced an extraordinary moment: a spectacular heavy transport delivered a massive rudder propeller to the grounds of the phanTECHNIKUM. The transport began at around 8:30 a.m. at SCHOTTEL’s production site in Wismar. At approximately 9:00 a.m., the ship propulsion unit arrived at the museum and was subsequently positioned at its designated location in the museum’s outdoor area.

The rudder propeller, measuring 3.6 metres in height and 2.8 metres in width, was delivered by AB Auto Bauer GmbH, a company specialising in heavy-load transport. The unloading and installation with the help of cranes were carried out by the company HN Krane. A special secure mounting was constructed specifically for this impressive exhibit: it distributes the enormous weight of 28 tonnes evenly across robust steel supports. This construction alone represents a remarkable engineering achievement.

The fully functional rudder propeller has been donated by the internationally active SCHOTTEL GmbH, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of ship propulsion and manoeuvring systems, headquartered in Spay on the Rhine with a branch in Wismar. For decades, the company has developed and produced innovative propulsion systems for ships of all kinds—from ferries and offshore supply vessels to specialised ships. The propeller now donated had originally been intended for a new shipbuilding project in Asia that was ultimately not realised. With the support of the Technical State Museum of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the collection gains an exceptional technical object and an impressive example of modern maritime engineering—made in Wismar. The Technical State Museum is therefore all the more delighted by SCHOTTEL’s generous support and its assumption of the transport costs, as well as by the extraordinary commitment and unparalleled efforts of the many other participants who, through countless hours of work, made the transfer of this large-scale exhibit possible.

Both the invention and the production of the rudder propeller are an impressive testament to SCHOTTEL’s spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. At the same time, the system represents a technological innovation that has sustainably transformed global shipping. The so-called SCHOTTEL RudderPropeller combines propulsion and steering in a single system. Revolutionary at the time, the drive can rotate endlessly through 360 degrees and was the first to combine propulsion and thrust. This allows the thrust to be directed in any desired direction. As a result, ships become significantly more manoeuvrable, can be steered with greater precision, and no longer require a separate rudder. Inside the system operates what is known as a Z-drive: the engine’s power is redirected twice by 90 degrees through two bevel gear sets, allowing the drive to transfer power vertically downward from the engine to the propeller. This system has become established worldwide, particularly in working and specialised vessels such as tugboats, offshore vessels, and firefighting boats. Since its introduction in the mid-20th century, the rudder propeller has been regarded as one of the most significant innovations in modern ship technology. Today, the principle is almost indispensable in international shipping. With this new large-scale exhibit, the phanTECHNIKUM’s exhibition is being expanded by a highly visible technical highlight that also stands as a sign of the commitment of regional companies.