In shipbuilding, one element is fundamental: safety and control in every situation. Whether luxury yacht, naval ship, research vessel, or submarine – modern ships place high demands on technology, reliability, and ease of maintenance. One essential component is shaft brakes, which ensure safety with their diverse functions and increase efficiency on board. Even more powerful today is what emerges from shared expertise:
Through the merger of ATEK Antriebstechnik Willi Glapiak with the renowned Deutsche van Rietschoten & Houwens into ATEK Drive Solutions in 2024, expertise, experience, and innovative power are combined for the development and manufacturing of custom shaft brake solutions for all types of ships and applications.
In this blog article, you will learn why the Elephant Brakes from ATEK Drive Solutions are the first choice in the maritime world. We will show you how shaft brakes “Made in Germany” fit your ship vision and what to consider in selection and installation.
Every ship presents its own challenges for safety: offshore yachts, research vessels, or fishing protection boats operate in extreme weather conditions, demand absolute reliability – and maximum control over drive and drive components. This is where tailored shaft brakes from ATEK come into play. Everything from one source – from the initial design to planning and manufacturing to maintenance, adjustment, and service.
The advantages of these custom solutions:
Always on the “latest technology,” through:
After the merger of the two companies and the renaming to ATEK Drive Solutions, full energy for the development and realization of complete shaft brake systems for ships is bundled in Rellingen, Schleswig-Holstein. The delivery times are short and far below the market average. Furthermore, ATEK Elephant Brakes are available both as individual components and as fully prefabricated systems.
The classic shaft brake systems combine three basic functions, Turning, Locking & Braking:
These functionalities can be combined and expanded according to customer requirements. ATEK Drive Solutions provides solutions ranging from simple and cost-efficient to highly complex premium systems with extensive monitoring and remote control.
From the idea to commissioning: You receive system solutions that are precisely tailored to your needs. The service includes steel construction and complex piping as well as the design of hydraulic aggregates, control technology, on-site assembly, or painting according to individual color and quality standards.
Extreme marine operation imposes the highest demands on technology and materials. The Elephant Brakes from ATEK Drive Solutions impress with:
Moreover, customers benefit from short delivery times due to optimized processes and inventory management. The systems can be ordered as individual parts for easy on-site assembly – perfect for shipyards looking for flexible integration solutions.
To give you a feel for the range of services, here are some practical examples from the recent shipbuilding experience of ATEK Drive Solutions.
Ship type |
Braking moment |
Blocking moment |
Brake disc |
Special features |
Research vessel |
370 kNm |
900 kNm |
Ø 1536 × 65 mm |
With turning gearbox and split design |
Luxury yacht |
150–370 kNm |
227–900 kNm |
Approx. 1500 × 50 mm |
“Highest Yacht Standard”, special damping |
Naval ship |
Up to 900 kNm |
Up to 900 kNm |
Custom made |
Shockproof design according to BR3021 |
Submarine |
Custom |
Custom |
Corrosion optimized |
Extremely pressure and saltwater resistant |
Water jet system |
Up to 370 kNm |
As needed |
Modular system |
Space and weight optimization |
Typical installed systems include: shaft brake systems with blocking devices (e.g. 60 kNm braking moment), custom monitoring units (certified pressure switches, runtime monitoring), and a turning gearbox for moving the ship’s shaft during certain maneuvers.
From interpretation to coloring, Elephant Brakes from ATEK Drive Solutions completely adapt to your needs. Every detail counts – from integration into overarching control systems to the finish for the highest aesthetic demands on luxury yachts.
Your benefits at a glance:
Innovations are only valuable if they function reliably over time. Therefore, ATEK relies on well-thought-out processes and comprehensive quality assurance:
Wherever precise steering, safe locking, or braking of the shaft/propeller is required, Elephant Brakes and wave brake systems from ATEK Drive Solutions are the first choice for luxury yachts (aesthetically and technically at the highest standard)
The synergy makes the difference, through the merger of our two German companies, not only is concentrated know-how in the field of wave brake systems bundled under one roof, but also the innovative strength of two market leaders in gearing and brake technology.
Safety, efficiency, ease of use – modern wave brake systems are integration products of engineering, material decisions, and practical experience. Elephant Brakes from ATEK Drive Solutions perfect these qualities. Whether you are planning a complete ship redesign, a retrofit, or a single project, with tailored Elephant Brakes you are opting for: