Karl Senner presents new developments at the WorkBoat Show

While Karl Senner LLC (KSLLC) marked his 50th birthday^Th Although the anniversary takes place in 2022, this year could bring even bigger events. At the 2024 WorkBoat Show, the team will discuss new developments in electrical integration, azimuth propulsion and Buy America/Buy American compliance. They will also gather feedback from participants on past, present and future projects and learn about industry challenges and where they can help.

The company has an extensive history based on over fifty years exclusively in the marine propulsion industry and to date sells and supports thousands of REINTJES gearboxes, hundreds of CP propeller systems and azimuth drives (Z-drives and L-drives). As an emerging electrical integrator, their history as a distributor, propulsion integrator and industry-leading service provider has made them familiar with electric propulsion systems using REINTJES gearboxes since the mid-1980s – initially on board passenger cruise ships and over the years the company has also provided solutions and earned references for offshore supply boats, fishing vessels, dredgers, tugs, inland tugs and passenger ships. The electric propulsion products are available for all ship types and all sizes. The product range ranges from around 500 hp per shaft train to over 30,000 hp.

Chris Senner, Executive Vice President at KSLLC, has witnessed this development firsthand. He has seen how technology has changed and become more advanced and economical, creating more opportunities in both the government-funded sector and the commercial shipping sector. The passenger vessel segment is currently the most actively using this technology and we see great growth opportunities in the inland waterway and tugboat sectors. The technology can be individually tailored to the specific vessel type, operating profile, operating location, owner preferences and the operator’s own technical capabilities.

KSLLC allows operators and organizations to consider the full range of solutions available. Their extensive experience with various propulsion types is unmatched – from complex gearboxes to azimuth and tunnel thrusters to variable pitch propellers, advanced control systems and now full electrical integration. The company is committed to electrification and has expanded its workforce to ensure the success of its current and future electrical integration projects. Josh Davis, the latest addition to the electric drive division, is now leading the way as Electrical Integration Manager. “When it comes to electrical integration, our customers often prefer a simplified approach – which is why our solutions remain brand independent and are developed to our specifications. We do not force any particular manufacturer or technology into our offering. Instead, we use the best selection of components for the application – taking into account serviceability and part commonality,” said Davis.

This approach to propulsion system integration shows how KSLCC meets the increasing demand for hybrid electric, diesel-electric and electromechanical solutions. Their focus and commitment to meeting market demands has also led to the successful manufacture of their first Buy America compliant REINTJES transmissions at their facility near New Orleans, LA. The company hired an outside specialist to conduct a full compliance audit of its manufacturing processes and procedures, which passed with full compliance, resulting in a final product that can be up to 100% U.S. sourced. This new feature opens its market to more FTA, FHWA and FMF-funded programs, which often have “Buy America” or “Buy American” requirements with U.S. content minimums.

At this year’s WBS, the team looks forward to discussing these developments and learning more about past, current and future projects at this year’s WorkBoat Show that attendees can undertake at their booth. “I can’t tell you how many new projects and innovative solutions started with formal and informal conversations at the Workboat Show. We like to hear about new and old projects and discuss new ideas or challenges that we can help solve,” said Senner.

These discussions can lead to immediate results for participants, which was the case just last year, according to Senner. At the WorkBoat Show in 2023, the KSLCC team had a conversation about a lack of space issue in the engine room of a newly designed high-speed catamaran. The KSLCC team and REINTJES sat down with interested parties to design a possible solution for the more compact integration of a variable speed shaft generator into the transmission. They left the meeting with a concept sketch and within a month the team had completed a formal and technical solution, solving the challenge at hand. It’s an example of how quickly things can take shape. The Senner team looks forward to discussing all the options at this year’s trade fair.

“We want to hear about your projects,” Senner said. “How can we help make your project a success? Give us the challenge and we will deliver a technically sound and reliable solution.”

Visit Karl Senner, LLC at booth #2915 at the upcoming one WorkBoat Show12th-14th November^Th in New Orleans