Swiss firm to kit out QatarEnergy’s 15 LNG vessels with permanent magnet shaft generator tech

Switzerland-based electrification and automation technology provider ABB has been tasked with providing permanent magnet shaft generator technology to power 15 liquified natural gas (LNG) carriers, which South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) will build for assignments with QatarEnergy.

The deal with Samsung Heavy Industries will see the Swiss firm furnish 15 LNG ships with the permanent magnet shaft generator system, which is expected to optimize the conversion of marine engine power into electrical energy, enabling the vessels to reap efficiency gains compared to conventional shaftline solutions.

The order ABB got for 174,000-cbm capacity ships is said to represent SHI’s largest fleet of LNG projects involving permanent magnet shaft generator systems and the South Korean yard’s single largest-ever order for LNG carriers, which are scheduled for delivery between mid-2026 and August 2028 to multiple owners serving the supply chain needs of QatarEnergy, as the charterer of the vessels.

By using the power from the shaft and main engine, the permanent magnet shaft generator, which is optimized for converter control, enhances the operational efficiency of vessels, enabling better fuel economy when compared to getting the power from high-speed, fuel-intensive auxiliary engines.

As a result, the Swiss player’s estimate shows this technology helps to cut ship fuel costs by up to 4%. However, fuel efficiency can be boosted by a further 1% by combining the system with the firm’s ACS880 Converter and Control System with D/C Link.

Michael Christensen, Global Segment Responsible for Cargo at ABB Marine & Ports, commented: “The scale of this order suggests that key LNG stakeholders now recognize permanent magnet shaft generator system benefits that are widely accepted by owners in the container ship, oil tanker and bulk carrier markets.

“The agreement further strengthens our position in the cargo segment and emphasizes our commitment to helping the shipping industry enhance fuel efficiency, reduce costs and reduce emissions in line with environmental regulations. We look forward to working with Samsung and Qatar Energy during implementation and beyond.”

Given that energy efficiency spikes and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission curbs are perceived to benefit from integrating the technology with power, control, and automation across multiple ship functions, ABB underlines that its permanent magnet shaft generator will up the efficiency and decarbonization ante for these vessels.

Such endeavors are considered to be aligned with the International Maritime Organization’s GHG emission reduction targets, using measures like the energy efficiency design index (EEDI), the energy efficiency existing ship index (EEXI), and the carbon intensity indicator (CII) of ships.

ABB has won multiple new deals over the past few months, including the one with NKT for a power distribution system for a newbuild cable-laying vessel (CLV) that enables integration of multiple power sources and allows engines to run at variable speeds.

QatarEnergy is pursuing its LNG fleet expansion program with vigor by executing shipbuilding contracts and time charter agreements for 104 conventional LNG vessels and 24 QC-Max class LNG ships, after the latest order for six more carriers. This has brought the total to 128 ultra-modern vessels, with the first new ship slated to be delivered by the end of Q3 2024.

Recently, QatarEnergy held a naming ceremony for the first two conventional-size LNG vessels under its historic shipbuilding program at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, China.

Qatar’s energy sector is poised for further growth, as confirmed by Wood Mackenzie, which outlined that the Persian Gulf state and the U.S. would be the front-runners in delivering the next wave of LNG growth.

This quest for more LNG aligns with the beliefs expressed by QatarEnergy’s CEO, who is convinced that LNG will remain in demand for a very long time, thus, he advocates for a balancing act between energy security, affordability, and sustainability.