In this paper a new electric ship propulsion system is proposed as combination of a double generator set with a double inverter feeding a wound-rotor synchronous machine. Each generator set is composed by a diesel engine directly coupled to a compact, permanent magnet, synchronous generator. A diode rectifier connects the output of the generator to a variable voltage dc bus. The dc bus feeds one of the input sides of the double inverter. The double inverter acts as a multilevel converter and it is able to drive the 3-phase, 6-wire motor coupled to the propeller. The two generator sets can operate either jointly or one at a time, depending on the power demand from the drive system. The working point of each diesel engine is determined in order to supply power to the propeller with maximum efficiency.