Azipod propulsion selected for new cruise, ferry, container vessels
Zurich, Switzerland, October 25, 2004 – ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, announced today it has signed contracts worth some $80 million to supply its Azipod® propulsion, electrical power and automation systems for five new marine vessels.
“These orders reinforce the benefits of integrated ABB solutions for improving passenger comfort, maneuverability, availability and operational costs,” said Dinesh Paliwal, head of ABB’s Automation Technologies division. “We are delighted by the confidence of both our established customers and two new marine customers in China and Russia.”
Royal Caribbean’s second Ultra Voyager vessel will be built at Kvaerner Masa yards in Finland, with delivery set for spring 2007. ABB will supply three 14 Megawatt (MW) Azipod units, one fixed and two maneuverable at the stern. In addition, ABB will provide a marine power plant consisting of six main generators, main switchboard, four bow thruster motors and 18 transformers.
Two train ferries for delivery to Sinorail Bohai Train Ferry will be built at Tianjin Xingang shipyard in China, and will be the first such vessels to operate in Bohai Bay in the northeast of the country. ABB deliveries include a medium-voltage power plant with four generators and Compact Azipod units rated at 4 MW each. The ferries are scheduled for delivery in June and December 2006.
An Arctic container vessel for Russia’s Norilsk Nickel will be built by Kvaerner Masayards to carry minerals on the northern sea route to Murmansk. Designed to Russian Maritime Register ice class LU7, the vessel will be equipped with one 13 MW Azipod unit, ABB medium-voltage power generation and distribution systems. Delivery is scheduled for early 2006.
The new cruise vessel for Carnival Corporation will be equipped with two 17,6 MW Azipod units and medium-voltage power systems. The vessel will be built by Fincantieri shipyard in Italy. ABB is the world’s leading supplier of electric propulsion systems, with more than 135 units in service or under contract. ABB Azipod units have logged more than 1.3 million hours in operation with a 99.75 percent performance record.
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 105,000 people.