Voith-schneider Propeller (VSP) is widely used in the application for the high dynamic positioning (DP) control because it can implement the stepless adjustment of the magnitude and direction of the thrust without changing the revolution. However, it is impossible for the debug between the DP control system and the VSP in the design stage because the VSP is often imported with a long delivery period. The development of VSP simulator can fill this gap. The relationship between the thrust vector and the control point information can be calculated and solved by using the mapping method based on the research of the hydrodynamic performance of the VSP. The working performance of the VSP is simulated to provide the conditions for the interface test, the collaborative control algorithm verification and the optimization design.

The Voith-Schneider Propeller (VSP) is suitable for ships with high requirement of dynamic positioning (DP) control because of its great maneuverability. The working principle of the VSP has been analyzed, and the hydrodynamic characteristics of the VSP are preliminarily analyzed according to the selection of the ship type and the installation of the VSP. The results can provide reference for the further research of the DP control strategy and algorithm, aiming at the maximum thrust and efficiency.