Berg Propulsion Systems
Propulsion built around your mission.
As the authorized Berg Propulsion distributor for the United States, Thompson Marine stocks and supports the complete line of Berg Propulsion products, providing sales, engineering, and service support for the full range of Berg systems. Stocking the product is only part of the relationship.
Every Berg system sold through Thompson Marine is backed by an in-house engineering team, the deep Berg parts inventory, and factory-trained technicians available for rapid deployment across the Americas.
Berg Propulsion Products
Berg Propulsion designs and manufactures a complete range of commercial marine propulsion equipment engineered for performance, reliability, and long service life in demanding operating conditions.
Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP)
The Berg CPP system delivers adaptive propulsion with precise pitch control, optimizing fuel efficiency and maneuverability across a wide range of vessel speeds and load conditions. CPP systems are particularly well-suited to vessels operating across variable duty cycles, including tugs, workboats, offshore support vessels, and large commercial fishing vessels.
Fixed Pitch Propeller (FPP)
Berg Fixed Pitch Propellers are engineered for vessels with consistent operating profiles, delivering robust, efficient propulsion optimized for steady-state operations and long service intervals.
Azimuth Thruster (MTA)
Berg azimuth thrusters deliver 360-degree vectored thrust, providing superior station-keeping, dynamic positioning, and precision maneuverability for tugs, offshore vessels, and specialized commercial applications.
Tunnel Thrusters
Berg tunnel thrusters, also referred to as transverse thrusters, generate lateral thrust through a propeller housed within a tunnel running across the vessel hull, allowing the vessel to move port or starboard independently of forward motion. They provide reliable maneuverability for docking, berthing, and station-keeping, including Dynamic Positioning (DP) operations. Tunnel Thrusters are available in hydraulic, fixed-speed electric, and variable-speed electric configurations to match vessel requirements and power plant preferences.
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The Berg Control System
The Berg Marine Propulsion Computer (MPC) is the control architecture at the center of every Berg propulsion installation. The MPC manages the entire propulsion plant from a single integrated platform, coordinating engine speed, pitch control, thruster direction, electric motor operation, and power distribution without relying on third-party software or external automation layers.
Integrated Power Management
The Berg control system includes a Power Management System (PMS) and Main Switchboard (MSB) that manage power distribution across all sources, including main engines, generator sets, electric motors, and battery banks. Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) provide precise speed and torque control for electric drive components.
Native Multi-Mode Operation
The Berg MPC manages mechanical engines, direct-drive electric motors, and battery-hybrid power sources natively within a single platform. There is no need for complex third-party integration layers when transitioning between power modes.
Hybrid-Ready Architecture
The control architecture installed in a conventional mechanical or fuel-electric installation is the same platform that manages hybrid and battery operations. A vessel upgraded to hybrid propulsion does not require a new control system. That continuity reduces both conversion cost and crew retraining requirements when power sources change.
Field-Proven Reliability
Berg control systems have demonstrated the ability to manage critical power events in commercial service, leveraging the system’s inherent power management logic to maintain vessel operations under conditions that would otherwise result in blackout or loss of propulsion.
BERG Electric Products
Berg’s electric product range includes switchboards, power management systems, variable frequency drives, and supporting electrical infrastructure for hybrid and full-electric propulsion installations. These components integrate directly with the Berg control platform, enabling seamless management of mechanical, electric, and battery power sources within a single system.
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Propulsion Solutions
Berg Propulsion systems are available across a complete range of power and propulsion configurations, from proven conventional mechanical drivetrains to next-generation hybrid and full-electric installations.
Fuel Mechanical
Proven direct-drive mechanical propulsion for vessels requiring reliable, long-endurance performance with straightforward maintenance and operation.
Diesel mechanical propulsion remains a strong and practical choice for vessels that operate at medium to high continuous load over long periods, where endurance, sustained thrust, and mechanical simplicity are the priority. Common applications include offshore support vessels, cargo vessels, commercial fishing vessels, and tugboats. When paired with a Berg Controllable Pitch Propeller, a fuel mechanical drivetrain also delivers the maneuverability needed for Dynamic Positioning work, workboat operations, and harbor-intensive duty cycles, extending the configuration’s range of practical applications well beyond steady-state transit.
Fuel Electric
Flexible electric propulsion configurations that combine generator sets and electric motors to optimize fuel consumption and operational flexibility across varying load profiles.
Fuel-electric propulsion combines generator sets and electric drive motors to deliver flexible, reliable power across highly variable load profiles. This configuration is particularly well suited to vessels where power demand shifts frequently, built-in redundancy is operationally critical, or low noise levels are a requirement. Typical applications include offshore support vessels, cargo vessels, research vessels, and commercial workboats engaged in Dynamic Positioning, frequent maneuvering, or variable-speed operations.
Hybrid
Combined mechanical and electrical propulsion systems keep the main engine operating closer to its optimal load range, avoiding the fuel penalty of low-load running and inefficient peak demand cycles. Electric drive handles peak shaving and low-demand periods, reducing overall fuel consumption while maintaining schedule reliability. The result is lower operating costs, reduced main engine hours, and a propulsion architecture that positions the vessel for future battery integration without requiring a second round of major upgrades. Thompson Marine has engineered and commissioned hundreds of vessels across a range of configurations, including hybrid systems combining main engines with Berg Z-drives, electric motors, and VFDs.
Battery Electric
Battery electric propulsion eliminates combustion engines entirely, delivering zero-emission operation with significantly lower vibration and noise levels, reduced maintenance needs, and stable, predictable energy costs. The configuration provides high torque at low speeds with precise control, making it well suited to harbor craft, electric tug applications, and vessels operating on fixed or repetitive routes in emissions-sensitive port environments where energy use and charging patterns can be reliably forecast.
TWin Fin
The Berg Twin Fin system is a space-saving, high-efficiency propulsion solution engineered for vessels where hull geometry limits conventional propeller sizing. Two prefabricated fins are integrated directly into the hull, each housing its own propulsion unit, achieving smooth water flow, balanced thrust, and a reduced installation footprint without compromising total propulsive efficiency.
The Twin Fin configuration is well suited to operators moving toward hybrid and electric propulsion, offering the retrofit flexibility and hydrodynamic performance that modern fleet modernization programs require. By distributing propulsion across two integrated units, the system reduces fuel consumption and emissions while delivering a durable, energy-efficient alternative to conventional single-propeller arrangements.
Direct Drive Electric
Berg Direct Drive Electric propulsion eliminates the gearbox from the drivetrain, delivering a quiet, compact, and mechanically simple installation suited to vessels where noise reduction, space constraints, or simplified maintenance are operational priorities. The system is deployable across multiple configurations:
- Full-electric architectures powered by battery or fuel-cell systems
- Hybrid installations integrating diesel-electric generators for extended range
- Retrofit projects replacing existing mechanical drives on older vessels
That flexibility makes Direct Drive Electric a viable propulsion path for new builds and fleet modernization programs alike.
