Although Z-drive propulsion is not new, it is newly accepted by the inland towing industry. In eight short years the number of Z-drive towboats has risen from four to over 50. The evolution of the Z-drive inland towboat takes us through the birth of Z-drive technology, inland Z-drive pioneers, Z-drive performance characteristics, industry skepticism and economic change agents. Z-drive propulsion is over 60 years old. The Rudder Propeller, or Z-drive as we know it today, was developed and built in 1950 by Josef Becker, founder of the present-day Schottel Group. But it wasn't until the 1980's that its use began in North America, when it was found predominately in ship assist tugs, not inland towboats. Since the early '80's the Z-drive ship assist tug fleet in North America has grown from a handful to almost 300, tripling in the last 15 years. It continues to grow and is the dominant propulsion in new-build ship assist tugs.
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