Why 45 Years of
Service Experience
Will also Benefit
You?

When was SDT Founded?

In September 1976, the founders of Schiffsdieseltechnik Kiel, Off, Große-Hellweg and Benning, certainly did not imagine that the hall they had at that time would one day be insufficient for the ever-increasing size of engines and generators.

At that time, the 600m² production and workshop area was supplemented by 150m² of office space.

The entire production, test runs, service and maintenance work happened on 600m² area. As a distributor for ZF and Mercedes Benz, Schiffsdieseltechnik began in 1986/1987 with the design and manufacture of on-board and emergency power supply units for ships. MTU appointed Schiffsdieseltechnik as distributor for marine engines of the 099 and 183 series, followed in the early 1990s by the takeover of worldwide spare parts supply for Wizemann marine engines based on Mercedes Benz engines.

Which Engines are in the Service of SDT?

As a Vetus dealer, SDT distributed engines and spare parts, accessories and equipment for yacht operation from Kiel.

The increasing demand for different tasks quickly attracted new and qualified personnel.

The spatial confinement continued to increase

When did SDT Become a Service Partner of MTU,
Today Known as a Brand of
"Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG"?

The cooperation with MTU, now known as the Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG brand, culminated in 2005 in the direct-dealer contract for marine engines throughout northern Germany.

The new shareholders instructed the management to look for new production space. The desired location in Kiel could not be realized, but Rendsburg offered an industrial site on the waterfront, so that planning could begin at the end of 2006.

This included both the premises and the equipment for the halls and offices. Permanently installed cranes, test stands, mobile measuring and testing equipment, EDP networks, programs, etc. rounded off the planning and subsequent equipment.  

In spring 2008, Schiffsdieseltechnik moved to Kieler Straße 177 in Rendsburg and took into operation a production area of 1,100m² plus 300m² test bench area, which was supplemented by 250m² storage and shipping area as well as 400m² office and social rooms. The move was completed, the Vetus activities were abandoned.

Most of the employees moved with them to the new premises. Thanks to the new attractive possibilities, the Schiffsdieseltechnik Kiel gained new qualified personnel and the increasing order volumes could be implemented in a suitable size.

The service and maintenance sector picked up more and more speed. Due to the construction of various offshore wind farms, Schiffsdieseltechnik established a branch office on the island of Helgoland in 2011.

A supply of ships on site was thus established. The service grew and through the further representations for FPT-Iveco and Volvo Penta as service partners in 2012, Schiffsdieseltechnik founded new branches in Wilhelmshaven and Stralsund in 2015.

What Happend next from 2012?

This also became necessary in order to be able to meet the requirements of customers on both the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts.

In order to comply with the constantly increasing climate protection requirements for the reduction of emissions, the ship diesel technology won the company STT- emtec as a partner for the supply of exhaust gas aftertreatment systems already in 2012.

Due to the expanded contacts in the market segment, in 2017 Schiffsdieseltechnik succeeded in obtaining representation for service and sales for John Deere marine engines.

Due to the constantly growing demand for energy, the need for power generators is also increasing. Also in 2017, Schiffsdieseltechnik established a cooperation with the Portuguese producer Grupel S.A. for NEAs.

A coverage of the power ranges needed in the stationary sector was found. By combining the components, used in the maritime and stationary area, Schiffsdieseltechnik manufactures plants for power generation according to customer requirements at the Rendsburg site.

How Does the Test Stand Complete the Package in
the North?

Up to 7.2 MW can be run on the test stand at the Rendsburg site.

Parallel run with three gensets;

Certification by required class is possible.

On its own test rig, the Schiffsdieseltechnik Kiel department offers

body and airborne sound measurements, volume

current measurements and network analyses of a comprehensive nature.

Two water vortex brakes up to 900 or 4,000 KW

(larger on request) complete the package.

Furthermore, it is possible to use the test bench for exhaust gas certification of exhaust gas aftertreatment systems independent of the engine manufacturer.

In addition to the areas of new construction, service, and spare parts, Schiffsdieseltechnik has been conducting its own research and development projects for many years. In 2015, for example, an 800 kW engine was successfully converted to LNG fuel.

Currently, Schiffsdieseltechnik is involved in two R&D networks for the development of alternative propulsion systems for ships.

In the course of the ECOShip60 network, the development of a CO²-neutral operated marine aggregate is carried out in theory. At the same time, a test bench including the necessary periphery for ship hybrid drives is discussed, which on the one hand can be used flexibly due to its modular design, and on the other hand can also test all peripheral components necessary for operation. The greatest challenge is to test hybrid systems with diesel engines or gas engines as well as fuel cells in combination with electric motors and batteries on one test bench.

How Does SDT want to Move into the Future
for You?

Campfire– Wind and water to ammonia – maritime fuel and energy storage for an emission-free future” for green and CO2 reduced energy production on ships.

Campfire” is one of the implementation projects of the lead project “TransHyDE” for the development of a hydrogen transport infrastructure, which is one of three lead projects of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for the implementation of the national hydrogen strategy.

In this context, the use of ammonia as an alternative fuel in shipping is considered one of the keys to reducing CO² emissions.

In September 2021, SDT celebrated its forty-fifth anniversary and would like to thank all customers, business partners and employees who have remained loyal for so many years.

We look forward to the next decades with you.

If you would like to design your next project with us now, we look forward to hearing from you.

contact

YearMilestones of the SDT history
  
1976Foundation of the Schiffsdieseltechnik in Kiel in Grasweg 26b
Distributor for ZF Marine Gearboxes Germany in Kiel
  
1978Distributor for Mercedes-Benz marine engines
  
1986Start of design and manufacture of on-board and emergency power supply units
  
1987MTU distributor for Series 099 and 183 marine engines
  
1991Takeover of the worldwide spare parts supply for Mercedes-Benz – Wizemann marine engines
  
2004The founder Off retires and sells SDT to six shareholders. Mr. Hamann and Mr. Starke become managing directors.
  
2005

Direct Dealer MTU Marine Northern Germany

2006The company now has three shareholders
  
2008Relocation to Rendsburg to Kieler Straße 177
Mr. Hamann resigns from the management
Abandonment of the Vetus business
Receipt of the ISO 9001:2008 certificate for SDT quality management
  
2010SDT receives the “Sicher mit System” (“Safe with System”) quality seal from the German Employers’ Liability Insurance Association for Wood and Metal for adherence to an occupational safety system
  
2011Establishment of the branch on the North Sea island of Helgoland
  
2012FPT Service Dealer and Volvo Penta Service Authorized Dealer
  
2014Receipt of the ISO 14001:2004 certificate for SDT environmental management
  
2015Establishment of the branches in Wilhelmshaven and Stralsund
SDT achieves a further expansion stage in the context of digitalization (optimization of business processes using “Oxaion” enterprise resource planning system)
  
2017Distributor for Grupel S.A., Portugal, stationary / mobile generators (e.g. application firefighting trailers / equipment)
Authorized dealer service and distribution for John Deere marine engines (e.g. use grinding tube)
  
2018EcoShip60: SDT becomes partner in the cooperation network and participates in the research and development project
  
2020Eberhard Starke retires, Thomas Schwarke takes over as managing director
  
202145 years SDT anniversary
  
2023Fin Olav Wittstock moves up to the Executive Board as Technical Managing Director
  

If you want to benefit from our experience.