ABB to provide power and propulsion systems for Project Sunshine cruise ships

ABB has won orders worth more than $60 million to provide complete power and Azipod  propulsion systems  for the two  “Project Sunshine” cruise ships to be built by Meyer Werft at its shipyard in Papenburg, Germany for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL).

The vessels are scheduled for delivery to RCL in fall 2014 and spring 2015.

ABB will supply a complete electrical systems for the new ships, the delivery for each ship includes power generation and distribution systems, thruster motors, and two 20.5 MW propulsion systems including transformers, drives and two Azipod XO propulsion units.

The ABB order for the first ship was booked in 2011 and for the second vessel  in the first quarter of 2012.

Royal Caribbean is still keeping most details of the 158,000 grt ships under wraps, but each will have a capacity of more than 4,100 passengers. Besides redesigning spaces to optimize capacity and fuel use while maintaining passenger comfort, RCL and Meyer Werft will incorporate the latest energy efficiency and environmental technologies on the ships.

“ABB offers the cruise ship industry the latest generation of technical solutions and solid electrical infrastructure that optimize vessel performance while enhancing passenger comfort and safety,” said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB’s Process Automation division. “We are pleased that as the cruise ship market rebounds, a number of shipbuilders have chosen our market-leading Azipod propulsion systems for the next generation of cruise vessels.”

April 18, 2012