Electric propulsion motors are operated from a variable frequency drive, which supplies power to motors at a frequency appropriate to the desired speed. The objective of this study was to evaluate power converters for shipboard applications and to recommend converters that meet lower harmonic distortion levels and torque ripples. Two systems were studied in detail : Cyclo-converters and PWM-converters. Cyclo-converters are the obvious choice where size, weight and efficiency are the most critical issues. However they have a disadvantage in power factor and they produce severe torque ripples in the motor which makes them unacceptable without special systems. PWM-converters produces better motor current waveform and eliminates common mode voltage issues at the motor, but suffers a multiple stages of power conversion and the isolating transformer. Results of this case study show that PWM-converters are more advanced and efficient drives for induction motor of electric propulsion ship.