What Kort Propulsion does

Kort Propulsion Co Ltd is a UK-based marine propulsion engineering firm founded in the mid-1930s and headquartered in Erith, Kent, with a partner manufacturing facility in Dartmouth, Devon. The company designs, manufactures, and supplies complete marine propulsion packages — including its proprietary Kort Nozzle shrouded propeller assemblies, Kort Thrusters (hydraulic tunnel thrusters in models KT30 to KT300), Hercules Cast and Made-to-Measure marine-grade aluminium deck hatches, custom propellers from 100mm to over 5,300mm diameter, and triple/flap/steering rudder systems. It also resells Fernstrum GRIDCOOLER keel coolers and WEKA Boxcoolers as part of its package offering.

The business model is project-based and quote-driven: Kort sells customized propulsion packages — nozzles, propellers, rudders, bearings, shafting, steering, and stern gear — to vessel designers, shipbuilders, and operators across towage/tug, commercial fishing, coastal shipping, offshore support (including offshore wind), passenger ferries, dredging, inland waterways, workboats, and ROV segments. Direct sales and technical consultancy (covering engine/gearbox matching, performance estimates, and trials attendance) are delivered from the UK, with international reach supported by a network of country agents in France, Netherlands, Turkey, Ireland, Romania, Egypt, and India, and a global customer base extending to Australia and the Philippines.

Commercial differentiation rests on the 90-year brand heritage of having pioneered the Kort Nozzle, accumulated full-scale trial data used for performance guarantees (e.g., triple-rudder systems reducing turning circle by up to 75%, Kort XL delivering 18–20% fuel savings on fishing vessels), and long-running partnerships with shipyards and integrators such as Macduff Ship Design, Hercules Atlantic, WATERMOTA Romania, and Wills Ridley.

Name

Kort Propulsion

Legal name

Kort Propulsion Co Ltd

Website

https://kortpropulsion.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kort Propulsion is a UK marine engineering firm that designs and manufactures Kort Nozzle shrouded propellers, Kort Thrusters, and complete customized propulsion packages for commercial vessel builders and operators worldwide, serving tugs, fishing boats, ferries, offshore, and inland waterway segments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Propulsion Equipment

NAICS

Ship and Boat Building (3366), Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730), Engines & Turbines (3510)

akta.pro primary industry

Propellers & Waterjets (IMAJAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Azimuth Thrusters & Podded Propulsion (IMAJAHAF), Propulsion Drives, Gearboxes & Shaftlines (IMAJAHAD), Propulsion MRO, Spares & Field Service (Overhauls, retrofits, upgrades) (IMAJAHAN)

Keywords

• Marine propulsion systems
• Shrouded propellers
• Tunnel thrusters
• Marine deck hatches
• Propulsion consultancy

Headquarters

HQ city

Kent

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Propulsion Equipment Sales: Design and supply of nozzles, propellers, conventional and high lift rudders, bearings, shafting, steering and stern gear as core operational area. Single source for complete propulsion packages.
2. Customized Packages: Provision of customized propulsion packages including sterngear, seals, engine cooling systems, tunnel thrusters, rudders and steering gear.
3. Consultancy Services: Technical consultancy services for propulsion and manoeuvring equipment packages, popular among smaller shipyards and boat builders without access to their own consultancy or technical departments. Covers basic advice through to full performance estimates and trials attendance.
4. Hercules Hatches: Supply of Hercules Cast Hatches and Made-to-Measure Hatches for deck access solutions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kort Propulsion designs, manufactures, and supplies marine propulsion equipment for commercial vessels. Core offerings include the proprietary Kort Nozzle (shrouded propeller), Kort Thrusters (KT30-KT300 hydraulic tunnel thrusters), custom propellers, rudder systems, and Hercules Cast and Made-to-Measure marine hatches. The company also provides technical consultancy covering propulsion selection, performance estimates, and sea trial attendance for vessel designers, builders, and operators.

Product overview

Kort Propulsion is a marine propulsion equipment manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of proprietary and third-party products for commercial and leisure vessels. The core product line centers on Kort Nozzles (shrouded propellers pioneered in the 1930s) and Kort Thrusters (hydraulic tunnel thrusters in models KT30-KT300). Supporting products include Hercules Cast Hatches and Made-to-Measure Hatches for deck access, Triple/Flap/Steering Rudders as nozzle accessories, and resale of Fernstrum GRIDCOOLER Keel Coolers and WEKA Boxcoolers. The company also provides consultancy services for propulsion system selection and performance estimates. All products are designed for customization to specific vessel requirements, with the Kort XL System offering fuel savings for fishing vessels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hercules Hatches: High quality deck hatches with unique locking mechanism, cast from corrosion resistant marine grade aluminium. Available in standard sizes and made-to-measure options.
• Kort Thrusters
• Kort Nozzles & Propellers

Products and services

• Kort Nozzles & Propellers Shrouded propeller assemblies and custom-designed propellers for commercial vessels (tugs, fishing boats, coasters, inland waterway craft, and bulk carriers), with propeller diameters ranging from 100mm for ROV thrusters to 5300mm+ for commercial vessels. Provides improved thrust and efficiency over conventional propellers.
• Kort Thrusters (KT Series) Hydraulic tunnel thrusters and small azimuthing propulsion units for commercial displacement vessels, available in models KT30 through KT300 with power input from 19kW to 223kW and thrust from 320kg to 2700kg. Designed for bow or stern installation.
• Hercules Cast Hatches Marine deck hatches cast from corrosion-resistant marine grade aluminium with unique locking mechanism using large diameter stainless steel shooting bolts engaging in Ertalyte bushes. Bureau Veritas Type Approved.
• Hercules Made-to-Measure Hatches Bespoke marine deck hatches fabricated from marine grade aluminium extrusion with tread plate covers, custom-sized to fit rectangular or square apertures of any deck type.
• Consultancy Services Technical consultancy covering propulsion system selection, engine/gearbox combination advice, and full performance estimates including trials attendance. Targeted at smaller shipyards and boat builders without in-house consultancy capability.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18-20% fuel consumption savings reported with Kort XL system for fishing vessels
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• WATERMOTA SRL RomaniacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Long-term partner since 2009 integrating Kort equipment in propulsion packages. Partnership described as delivering exactly as promised with promptness, dedication and professionalism.
• FernstrumcoreTechnology or IntegrationFernstrum manufactures GRIDCOOLER keel coolers for engine and vessel cooling. Kort offers these products as part of their complete propulsion package offering. Fernstrum is promoted on Kort's website with downloadable catalogues and installation manuals.
• WEKAcoreTechnology or IntegrationWEKA engineers and manufactures Boxcoolers for inland waterways and sea going vessels, ranging from 3 to 20,000kW. Offered as part of Kort's cooling system solutions.
• Macduff Ship DesignflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner30-year collaboration on propulsion packages for pilot vessels, tugs, workboats and cargo vessels. Close cooperation on many projects with successful builds. Macduff provides testimonials praising Kort's high-quality service and equipment.
• Hercules Atlantic ProductscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership since 1990s for supply of Kort Nozzles, Kort Thrusters, Hercules Hatches and propulsion related fabrications. Relationship spanning decades with commitment to continue partnership.
• Wills RidleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for steering gear and rudders. Wills Ridley designs and manufactures steering systems that work as a package with Kort Propulsion products. Multiple vessels supplied worldwide through this partnership.
• Hercules Hydraulics LtdminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides hydraulic services and testing for Kort Thruster installations. Can carry out services on site in conjunction with Kort equipment.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Kongsberg Maritime: Norwegian supplier of propulsion, thrusters, manoeuvring systems and ship automation. Adjacent competitor with broader portfolio including Ulstein and Brattvaag thruster brands, overlapping with Kort's tunnel thruster offering and full propulsion packages.
• Wärtsilä: Finnish marine broad incumbent providing engines, propulsion systems, shaftline components, and ship automation across commercial and offshore segments. Overlaps with Kort's propulsion package remit (nozzles, thrusters, shafting) but at vastly greater scale and a much broader portfolio including main engines.
• Rolls-Royce Power Systems (MTU): Large marine propulsion and engine supplier with offerings in azimuth thrusters (Kamewa, now RR) and integrated propulsion systems for naval, offshore and tug applications. Direct overlap with Kort's nozzle and thruster positioning, but as part of a much larger prime contractor portfolio.
• ABB Marine & Ports: Supplier of Azipod azimuth propulsion, tunnel thrusters and electric propulsion systems for vessels from offshore to cruise. Comparable thruster product overlap with Kort KT line, but with a focus on large, electrified vessels rather than Kort's niche small-vessel sweet spot.

Direct peers

• Bruntons Propellers: UK-based propeller manufacturer and supplier (also a documented Kort customer for KT300-60 on an Iceland trawler). Directly comparable as a propeller design and supply peer serving the same UK/European commercial fishing and tug market.
• Schottel GmbH: German maker of azimuth thrusters (SCHOTTEL Rudderpropeller), tunnel thrusters and complete propulsion systems for tugs, workboats and offshore vessels. Comparable product overlap with Kort's tunnel thrusters and steering nozzle lines, but at much larger scale across global shipyards.
• Becker Marine Systems: German manufacturer of high-performance rudders (including Becker Twisted Rudder and flap rudders), manoeuvring systems and energy-saving devices for commercial vessels. Directly comparable to Kort's triple rudder and flap rudder offerings and overlapping with nozzle-based propulsion packages.
• Wills Ridley: UK designer and manufacturer of marine steering gear that integrates with Kort nozzle-based propulsion packages. Directly comparable as a complementary steering system supplier to the same UK workboat, tug and pilot vessel customers.
• Van der Velden Marine Systems: Dutch manufacturer of high-performance nozzles, rudders and steering systems for tugs, pushboats and special vessels. Directly comparable to Kort's core product line of Kort Nozzles, triple rudders and steerable nozzles, with the same tug-and-towing focus and European customer base.
• Brunvoll AS: Norwegian manufacturer of azimuth and tunnel thrusters for offshore, fishing and merchant vessels. Closely comparable to Kort's KT tunnel thruster line, with stronger scale and an offshore-heavy customer mix that Kort targets but undersizes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KortPropulsion
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kort Propulsion