Historic Design, Electric Drive: VULKAN Española Supports the “Real Fernando”

VULKAN Española is proud to announce its participation as a key technology partner in the 'Real Fernando' project, a spectacular replica of Spain's first-ever steamboat originally built in 1817. This unique vessel has recently arrived at the Port of Seville, blending 19th-century romantic aesthetics with cutting-edge 21st-century marine engineering.

A Nod to History, Designed for the Future
Driven by the Nao Victoria Foundation, the 'Real Fernando' is a 32-meter-long vessel with a capacity for 150 passengers. While the original 1817 ship revolutionized navigation using coal power, this modern recreation is fully committed to urban sustainability. The vessel features a full electric propulsion system, enabling completely clean and silent navigation along the Guadalquivir River in Seville. Visually, the ship retains its historical charm by utilizing traditional side paddle wheels for propulsion. 

VULKAN's Comprehensive Driveline Solution
To connect this modern electric power to the classic paddle wheels, VULKAN Española acted as a complete System Provider, delivering the mechanical power transmission architecture. The scope of supply for both the port and starboard drivelines included:

  • Main Couplings: MEGIFLEX-B 1642.
  • PTO Couplings: RATO-R 2010 (R+ G2D1S Special Series).
  • Gearboxes: WIKOV 3B037-45-FKLK-NAHE.
  • Shaftline Components: Complete shaft, sleeve, and bulkhead seal assemblies.
  • Mounting: RotaChock flexible and rigid mounting systems. 

Technical Excellence on Site
Beyond the supply of high-quality components, this project highlighted the outstanding capabilities of VULKAN’s After Sales Service team which provided on-site support to the shipyards in Punta Umbria (Huelva) to execute the rigorous mechanical assembly. 
The highly technical work on-site involved:

  • Meticulous cleaning and preparation of the gearboxes and shafts.
  • Thermal induction heat-shrinking of the sleeves at 160ºC. Installation of specialized flanges to secure the bulkhead seals.
  • Precision pre-alignment and final alignment of the complete driveline, ensuring all control dimensions and prebending tolerances (such as the 213.5±0.50mm control dimension for the RATO-R) were strictly met. 

Powering the Maritime Energy Transition
In the coming weeks, the 'Real Fernando' will become a major cultural and tourist attraction in Seville, offering a unique floating space for events, congresses, and river tours. 
“The success of this project - supported by the IDEA Institute's MOVES Singular Projects II program - demonstrates VULKAN's exceptional ability to provide turnkey mechanical solutions for zero-emission vessels”, says José I. Cuenca, Managing Director of VULKAN Española
 

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