VIDEO: ABB adds new midsize range to Azipod line
Written by Nick Blenkey
The latest addition to the Azipod propulsor family, the mid-range Azipod series.
ABB is introducing a new midsize range of Azipod propulsors covering the 7.5 – 14.5 MW power range. The range is aimed at the ferry and RoPax sector, but will also be applicable for larger offshore construction vessels, midsize cruise ships and shuttle tankers.
With this extension, the Azipod propulsor family now covers the power range of 1-22 MW.
Recent breakthrough orders in the ferry segment include the Azipod propulsion system specified for the LNG-fueled vessel currently under construction at China’s Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry shipyard for delivery to Finland’s Viking Line next year.
Another Finnish owner opting for Azipod is Wasa Line, which has selected the system for its newbuild LNG battery hybrid RoPax on order at shipbuilder Rauma Marine Construction.
“Building a future-proof, robust RoPax ferry requires proven technology that enables energy efficiency, saves valuable onboard space and provides increased passenger comfort,” says Wasa Line CEO Peter Ståhlberg. “These features, coupled with superior maneuverability that would allow the ferry to operate a precise schedule crucial for a busy route, have made ABB’s Azipod propulsion a natural choice for our newbuild project.”
At the core of the new mid-power range are ABB’s latest fourth generation permanent magnet motors, which draw on proven Azipod propulsion technologies but have been refined to increase power and maximize efficiency. Additionally, the latest “M” series of Azipod® propulsion feature technical advantages tailored to provide operating benefits for ferry and RoPax owners and operators.
The mid-power range propulsion units have been designed for low onboard height, which allows the placing of the Azipod system under the car deck of RoPax vessels, ensuring smooth loading and unloading of vehicles, as well as allowing for maximizing the deck space. The design simplicity of the propulsion system provides increased robustness and reliability, at the same time allowing for ease of maintenance.
INDEPENDENT STUDY
A recent independent study by ship design specialist Deltamarin compared a RoPax vessel equipped with the Azipod system was compared to a conventional vessel with shaftline propulsion, showed average savings in fuel and energy consumption equivalent to $1.7 million annually. Lower fuel consumption also means that the Azipod-powered ferry would reduce CO2 emissions – by approximately 10,000 tons per year.
The study included advanced simulations of a ferry equipped with twin 10 MW Azipod units traveling on seven existing ferry routes.
Download a summary of the Deltamarin study HERE
Categories: Ferries, News, Technology
