ABB to supply Azipods for five Fincantieri cruise newbuilds

With the electric drive motor situated in a submerged pod outside the ship hull, the Azipod system can rotate 360 degrees, significantly increasing maneuverability and operating efficiency of a vessel and cutting fuel consumption by up to 20 percent compared to conventional shaftline systems.{Image: ABB]

ABB has won an order worth around $150 million to deliver a comprehensive scope of technologies for five next-generation cruise ships on order at Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri.

Each cruise ship will be powered by twin Azipod electric propulsion. In total, the ten units will have a propulsion power of 178 megawatts (238,700 horsepower). Part of the order includes the largest and most powerful Azipod propulsion units ever to be installed at Fincantieri, rating at 20 megawatts each.

Each vessel will also feature ABB’s integrated electric power plant setup, encompassing generators, drives, switchboards, propulsion transformers and a remote-control system to maneuver the Azipod units from the bridge. Combining Azipod propulsion with the electric power plant allows the configuration of all relevant equipment for optimized performance, resulting in increased efficiency and sustainability of operations.

The vessels will enter service between 2023 and 2026.

“We look forward to collaborating with Fincantieri on these world-class vessels, setting them on course for eco-conscious cruising,” said Juha Koskela, Division President, ABB Marine & Ports. “Today’s passengers expect sustainable journeys, and we are honored to support Fincantieri’s environmental goals with our technology that stands for innovation and efficiency like no other.

“Our collaboration with ABB spans over two decades, with the first Azipod propulsion installation at Fincantieri dating back to the late 1990s,” said Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager Merchant Ships Division, Fincantieri. “Today, we are taking further advancements in our commitment to environmentally friendly shipping, and we are delighted to once again work with a trusted partner whose solutions have over the years delivered superior performance, reliability, safety and sustainability gains for the cruise segment.”