Roll control in marine vessels is an issue that is increasingly being taken into account in design and equipment selection, particularly on yachts where there are high expectations for comfort as well as an increased need for stability under various sailing conditions. Gyroscopic stabilizers, which are among the solutions in this field, offer a different approach to stabilization by generating torque to counteract hull movement.
Based in Shanghai ZGYRO’which serves as the distributor in Turkey for Tortur Shipping, is bringing the brand’s gyroscopic stabilization systems—based on electrical and mechatronic architecture—to the Turkish market. The product family covers marine vessels of various sizes and displacements, ranging from boats approximately 6 meters in length to yachts in the 70-meter class, as well as commercial vessels and applications for public and coast guard use.
A high-speed flywheel at the heart of stabilization
The operating principle of ZGYRO systems is based on utilizing the gyroscopic effect generated by a high-speed rotating flywheel to counteract the vessel’s roll motion. The system actively controls the gyroscope’s precession by sensing the hull’s motion and directs the resulting torque against the vessel’s roll.
One of the key engineering elements here is the mechatronic torque control architecture developed by ZGYRO. Unlike traditional hydraulically controlled systems, the gearbox, buffer mechanism, control unit, and electromagnetic brake all operate within the same architecture. The system also utilizes mechanical, electromagnetic, and electronic protection layers together.
This architecture, developed by ZGYRO following independent R&D efforts that began in 2013, is now implemented in the brand’s third-generation products alongside high-speed flywheel, electric drive, and mechatronic torque control technologies.
A stabilization system that operates independently of the hydraulic circuit
One of the system’s notable features is that it does not require hydraulic oil, a pump, hoses, or hydraulic cylinders. The fact that the drive and control functions are performed using electrical and electronic components sets the system’s architecture apart from traditional hydraulic stabilization solutions.
This approach also has direct implications for vessel integration. The elimination of the hydraulic circuit simplifies equipment layout and the connection infrastructure, while also eliminating maintenance procedures associated with hydraulic components. ZGYRO’s modular design allows the system to be retrofitted onto both new-build projects and existing vessels.
The electric motor, ceramic bearings, closed-loop cooling system, and seawater heat exchanger are among the components that support thermal management for the high-speed gyroscope under continuous operating conditions.
A product family scalable to different deployment environments
ZGYRO’s product line ranges from small boats with a displacement of approximately two metric tons to larger yachts reaching 70 meters in length and 2,100 metric tons in displacement. This scope allows gyroscopic stabilization to be viewed not as equipment specific to a single vessel segment, but as a system that can be scaled to accommodate different displacements and usage profiles.
According to the manufacturer’s data, the systems can reduce roll by up to 95 percent under suitable operating conditions. Actual performance, however, is directly related to parameters such as the vessel’s displacement, hull shape, weight distribution, cruising speed, and sea conditions.
The system’s active control architecture continuously monitors the boat’s movements and manages the torque generated by the gyroscope in response to changing conditions. Therefore, when evaluating stabilization performance, the control algorithm, the gyroscope’s capacity, and the integration with the vessel are considered together, rather than relying solely on the maximum torque value.
In Turkey, the application side is taking center stage
As a ZGYRO distributor, Tortur Denizcilik not only handles sales but also provides system selection, technical design, installation, commissioning, and post-sales technical support.
Orhan Torlak, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Tortur Denizcilik, notes in his assessment of the system’s implementation in Turkey that the ZGYRO system has been installed on approximately 20 vessels to date. According to Torlak, the lack of a need for hydraulic infrastructure and the modular architecture are among the key factors that facilitate the integration process, particularly in retrofit installations on existing vessels.
Tortur Denizcilik, with nearly 50 years of experience in the maritime and boat manufacturing industries, states that its brand selection is not based solely on product specifications, but also takes into account installation, maintenance, usage, and after-sales support processes.
At this point, ZGYRO’s positioning in the Turkish market stands out as a development worth watching in terms of the expansion of gyroscopic stabilization technology to a broader segment of vessels. In particular, how the electric architecture—which does not require a hydraulic infrastructure—will be received in new-build and refit projects will become clearer as the system is applied to different types of vessels.
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