ABB propulsion strikes gold in wind farm vessel market

ABB reports that it is currently delivering electric propulsion systems for eight wind turbine installation vessels on behalf of shipyards in China, Indonesia, Singapore and South Korea. Most of the vessels will be deployed by marine operators in European waters, where several thousand wind turbines are expected to be erected within the next decade.

One of ABB’s most recent orders is from Samsung Heavy Industries which is building a vessel with groundbreaking performance characteristics for Swire Blue Ocean.

ABB is supplying an Azipod CO integrated power, electrical propulsion and thruster system, which will enable the vessel to operate with centimeter precision at water depths of up to 75 meters and in year-round weather conditions (existing vessels can operate at depths of up to 45 meters and in non-extreme weather conditions only).

Azipod CO is part of ABB’s highly successful family of podded electric propulsion systems. The all-in-one propulsion unit is more compact, lightweight and efficient than conventional propulsion systems, offering higher payload, lower fuel consumption, reduced CO2 emissions and outstanding maneuverability.

ABB was also recently awarded a contract to supply the power and propulsion system for a new generation of wind turbine installation vessels to be built by Keppel FELS and operated by the Seafox Group. The first vessel, Seafox 5, is to be launched in 2012 and will carry up to 12 turbines and foundations for installation at depths of up to 65-70 meters and in the most severe weather conditions.

Other notable wind turbine installation vessels for which ABB is supplying electric propulsion systems include two (with an option for a third) for RWE Energy built by DSME of South Korea; one for Master Marine built by Labroy Offshore of Indonesia to install 88 wind turbines and two substation modules at the Sherringham Shoal wind farm in the North Sea; and two for MPI Offshore built by COSCO in China.

May 24, 2011