The transmissions, designed and manufactured by ZF Marine GmbH in Friedrichshafen, Germany are based on the new 9000 series, which comprises many models, including vertical offset, down angle and ‘V’-drive for fast craft application, as well as deep ratio models for installation in workboats. There is even a special model with the input shaft arranged above the output.

The parallel shaft, horizontal ZF 9050 NR2H transmissions are handed to permit the most compact propulsion arrangement, with twin engines arranged fore and aft in each hull of the catamaran. Designed to meet Germanischer Lloyd’s rules, the transmission has a continuous power input capacity of 1.466 kW/rpm (e.g. 3,005kW at 2,050 rpm) yet weighs only 1130 kg.

ZF Marine’s relationship with Austal goes back many years. In fact, ZF transmissions were fitted in the very first vessel built by Austal, a 30m dive catamaran delivered in 1989.

Since then, Austal has built 72 vessels fitted with 168 ZF Marine transmissions, comprising catamarans, monohulls and trimarans from 20m to 113m in length and with operating speeds between 14 knots and 43 knots. These vessels were delivered for commercial, defence or private use and were delivered to customers in 20 countries.

Austal is currently constructing or has orders for a further 15 vessels with a total of 37 ZF Marine transmissions, one of which will be the 200th ZF Marine transmission delivered to Austal. These orders include four type ZF 60000 NR2H gearboxes to be installed in the first Joint High Speed Vessel, a 103m catamaran which Austal has been contracted to design and build for the US Department of Defence.