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ZF has introduced its new ENC (Electric Non-Clutchable) transmission series, specifically engineered for purely electrically powered ships. This innovative series aims to support the maritime industry’s shift towards greater sustainability by offering optimized efficiency, lightweight design, and superior noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) performance. The ENC series is designed to enhance electric range, improve onboard comfort, and reduce ongoing operational costs for a variety of commercial vessels.
Key Highlights:
- Explicitly for E-Use: The ENC series is ZF’s first marine transmission developed solely for all-electric vessels.
- Optimized Efficiency: Features a clutchless design, reducing oil requirements and mechanical losses for increased efficiency and electric range.
- Lightweight Design: Up to 10% lighter than comparable solutions, contributing to better vessel performance.
- Superior NVH Behavior: Engineered for exceptionally quiet and smooth operation, ideal for electric motors.
- Broad Application: Compatible with ZF drive solutions from the ZF 2000 to ZF 9000 series, covering a power range from 650 kW to 3,900 kW.
- Versatile Configuration: Suitable for various installation types and propeller systems, offering maximum design flexibility for shipbuilders.
- Sustainable Solution: Supports the growing market for electrically powered ships and the move towards zero-emission shipping.
The global market for electrically powered ships is projected to experience substantial growth, from $4.33 billion in 2024 to an estimated $17.20 billion by 2032. This highlights the significant and sustained momentum of electromobility in the maritime sector, particularly for coastal operations and shorter routes where charging infrastructure is more feasible.
“With our new ENC transmission series, we now have an optimal solution in our portfolio for these applications to support the industry in its sustainable transformation,” stated Wolfram Frei, Sales Manager Commercial and Fast Ships at ZF.
The development of the ENC series leveraged ZF’s experience from previous projects, such as equipping passenger ferries in Portugal with electric drive solutions. “After this successful project, our motivation was to further optimize the efficiency of battery-electric drives. This paved the way for the development of the new ENC series,” Frei added.
A key innovation in the ENC series is the elimination of the hydraulically actuated multidisk clutch. This design choice significantly reduces the oil supply quantity needed and allows for lower system oil pressure, leading to a smaller oil pump and increased mechanical efficiency. ZF also lowered the oil level within the transmission, which reduces churning losses and further boosts efficiency. These structural optimizations, along with the smaller pump and lower oil level, contribute to the ENC transmission’s considerable weight reduction.
The acoustic properties were a major focus during development to meet the specific demands of electric motors, resulting in the ENC’s outstanding NVH characteristics.
The ENC series offers remarkable flexibility, being compatible with all maritime ZF drive solutions, including various installation configurations (A/V, U, Z), center distances, attachments, transmission ranges, and propulsion types like fixed propellers, variable pitch propellers, and waterjet drives. This adaptability makes the ENC series ideally suited for electrifying commercial vessels such as ferries, tugs, supply boats, and river cruise ships operating on shorter routes.
ZF’s decades of expertise ensure that the ENC series utilizes proven standard components, backed by ZF Aftermarket’s existing global service network for reliable spare parts supply. The new product line is already garnering significant customer interest from regions including Portugal, Scandinavia, and the USA, underscoring the global demand for sustainable ZF driveline solutions and the broader trend of electromobility in shipping.
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