ABB secures an order of around $150 million to deliver a comprehensive scope of technologies to power next-generation cruise ships built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri
Strengthening its preferred supplier position in the cruise segment, #abb will equip five newbuild vessels with Azipod® electric propulsion, which has a proven ability to significantly reduce fuel consumption on board.
Each cruise ship will be powered by twin Azipod® units, bringing the total ordered propulsion power for the five newbuilds to 178 megawatts (238,700 horsepower). Part of the order includes the largest and most powerful Azipod® propulsion units ever to be installed at #fincantieri, rating at 20 megawatts each. The vessels will enter service between 2023 and 2026.
“We look forward to collaborating with #fincantieri on these world-class vessels, setting them on course for eco-conscious cruising. Today’s passengers expect sustainable journeys, and we are honored to support Fincantieri’s environmental goals with our technology that stands for innovation and #efficiency like no other,” said #juhakoskela, Division President, #abb Marine & Ports.
“Our collaboration with #abb spans over two decades, with the first Azipod® propulsion installation at #fincantieri dating back to late 1990s. Today, we are taking further advancements in our commitment to environmentally friendly shipping, and we are delighted to once again work with a trusted partner whose solutions have over the years delivered superior performance, reliability, safety and sustainability gains for the cruise segment,” said #luigimatarazzo, General Manager Merchant Ships Division, #fincantieri.
With the electric drive motor situated in a submerged pod outside the ship hull, the Azipod® system can rotate 360 degrees, significantly increasing maneuverability and operating #efficiency of a vessel and cutting fuel consumption by up to 20 percent compared to conventional shaftline systems.
Today, over 100 cruise vessels rely on Azipod® technology, which has become the industry standard in the cruise segment. Since its launch three decades ago, Azipod® propulsion has saved a total of over 900,000 tons of fuel in the passenger cruise segment alone. Options for Azipod® propulsion range from 1 to 22 megawatts, and its technology plays a key role in ABB’s strong position for environmentally friendly electric propulsion.
Each vessel will also feature ABB’s integrated electric power plant setup, encompassing generators, drives, switchboards, propulsion transformers and a remote-control system to maneuver the Azipod® units from the bridge. Combining Azipod® propulsion with the electric power plant allows to configure all relevant equipment for optimized performance, resulting in increased #efficiency and sustainability of operations.
In line with #abb Marine & Ports ‘Electric. Digital. Connected.’ approach that envisages shipping’s digital and connected future, these vessels will have the capability to leverage the #abb Ability™ Collaborative Operations infrastructure and centers. Collaborative Operations uses remote equipment monitoring and data analytics to enable predictive maintenance, planned interventions and remote technical support.
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