ABB to power four eco-friendly cruise ships built by Fincantieri

Tech company ABB has signed a contract with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to deliver in total eight mid-range Azipod propulsion systems for four forthcoming medium-sized cruise vessels.

The passenger ships will be equipped with two 7.7-megawatt Azipod propulsion units per vessel.

According to the firm, the system meets the design requirements of modern medium-sized vessels. The Azipod technology is expected to optimize maneuverability and reduce vibrations and noise.

With the electric drive motor housed within a pod outside the ship hull, the system can rotate 360 degrees, increasing maneuverability and allowing vessels to dock in harbors where turning circles are restricted.

The propulsion can also improve a ship’s hydrodynamic performance and cut fuel consumption by up to 20 percent compared with a traditional shaftline setup, ABB stressed.

Space is saved by locating the motor outside the ship to allow for a more flexible design and frees up space for cabins, cargo or other features.

“This order represents a significant milestone for our advanced mid-range Azipod® propulsors, once again demonstrating their environmental and operational benefits,” Juha Koskela, Division President, ABB Marine & Ports.

The Azipod system features ABB’s fourth-generation permanent magnet motors, which have been refined for added power and efficiency. Its compatibility with alternative energy sources makes it a future-proof solution that is ready to work with new, cleaner fuels as soon as these become available.

Alongside the two Azipod units, ABB’s full scope of supply includes propulsion drives, transformers and control systems.

To remind, last month, ABB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with classification society RINA with the aim to develop new concepts to reduce emissions in shipping for various vessel types.