Onboard Dc Grid News

One of North America’s busiest ferry routes is joining the growing trend for U.S.-based operators to make the efficiencies of electrification central when they modernize their fleets, after an integrated hybrid-electric propulsion system from ABB was selected for the new ship ordered by Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA).Shipbuilder Senesco Marine contracted ABB to deliver full propulsion and automation systems for the 75-car passenger and vehicle ferry, which will replace the 45-year-old Cape Henlopen in connecting Lewes, Delaware and Cape May, New Jersey.

ABB has secured a contract to supply integrated power, propulsion and control solution for BC Ferries’ four new hybrid-electric major vessels.The New Major Vessels have been designed to minimize emissions and underwater radiated noise (URN), with the goal of contributing to quieter and cleaner operations in the Strait of GeorgiaABB will supply a complete package of power, propulsion and control technology for four new double-ended passenger and car ferries operated by British Columbia Ferry Services (BC Ferries).One of the largest ferry operators in the world…

PaxOcean Group and ABB have announced that Singapore’s first fully electric tug completed commissioning, marking a major milestone in the city-state’s harbor craft electrification program.The 50-tonne bollard pull tug, PXO-ACE-1, is expected to be deployed in April 2026 and is the first fully electric tug to be built and operated in Singapore. The vessel was built by PaxOcean Group, a subsidiary of Kuok Maritime Group, and is powered by an integrated electric propulsion system…

ABB and HDF Energy have signed a joint-development agreement (JDA) to develop a high-power fuel cell unit for marine applications.The agreement builds on an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ABB and HDF Energy in 2020, envisaging the collaboration.Foreseeing pilot installations in 2028 - 2029 and serial production from 2030, the agreement initiates a significant step forward for developing fuel cells as a commercially viable option to support maritime decarbonization.The…

ABB has secured an order with Washington State Ferries (WSF), the United States’ largest ferry operator, to supply and integrate hybrid-electric propulsion systems for two hybrid-electric 160-auto ferries.With the first two ships scheduled for delivery from Eastern Shipbuilding Group, one apiece in 2030 and 2031, the contract also includes an option for a third ferry. WSF has previously announced plans to build up to 16 ships by the end of 2040, as part of a ferry electrification program targeting lower emissions.ABB will supply and integrate end-to-end systems including power distribution…

ABB has secured a contract to supply power distribution and propulsion systems for seven all-electric double-ended ferries being built by Remontowa Shipbuilding in Poland for Caledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL).The 50-meter vessels, part of CMAL’s Small Vessel Replacement Program, are scheduled for delivery between late 2027 and early 2029. They will operate on nine routes across Scotland’s Clyde and Hebrides region, each carrying up to 200 passengers and 24 cars, with one vessel configured for 250 passengers and 16 cars.ABB will equip the ferries with its Compact Onboard DC Grid system…

ABB has integrated a 3.2MW fuel cell system onboard Feadship Breakthrough.The vessel was constructed by Dutch high-end yacht builder Feadship. Launched in May 2025, the privately-owned 118.8-meter yacht is among the first vessels in the world to feature multi-megawatt fuel cell technology.ABB’s scope of supply comprised the Onboard DC Grid™ power system platform and two 3.2MW Azipod® electric propulsion units, which minimize noise and vibrations on board. ABB’s Power and Energy Management System PEMS™ optimizes energy use on board…

ABB has secured a contract with the West Sea Shipyard located in Viana do Castelo, Portugal to equip six new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) of the Portuguese Navy with an integrated power, propulsion, and automation system designed to ensure optimal efficiency. The vessels are planned to be delivered between 2027 – 2031.The new vessels will be equipped with the Azipod® propulsion system, Onboard DC Grid™ power system platform, and the distributed control system ABB Ability™ System 800xA®.

Germany-based cruise operator Phoenix Reisen has retrofitted its 205-meter, 835-passenger capacity ship MS Amera with ABB’s DC technology to improve the vessel’s efficiency and lower its emissions during port calls.The vessel is now equipped with ABB’s Onboard DC Grid power system platform and shore connection.Following commissioning and sea trials, Amera has become the first cruise ship retrofitted with Onboard DC Grid.The project involved the replacement of the vessel’s AC system with modern DC technology.

Washington State Ferries (WSF) has tapped ABB to design and supply the propulsion systems for its new series of five hybrid electric ferries. ABB was previously selected for the project in 2020 after the original build contract was awarded to Vigor, but the competitive bid process was relaunched following disagreements between WSF and the shipyard over price and other contract terms.In May of this year, WSF invited shipyards across the country to bid on construction for the five new ferries.

ABB has been selected by Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) to supply a comprehensive grid-to-propeller solution for the new double-ended, hybrid-electric ferry that will provide essential services between the town of Lincolnville and the island community of Islesboro in the United States.ABB’s scope of supply covers the hybrid-electric propulsion and energy storage system. ABB’s Onboard DC Grid power distribution system will ensure optimal use of energy sources, while…

Crowley Maritime Corporation has owned and operated a lot of vessels since its founding in 1892. But the latest vessel to join its fleet is unlike any other that has come before it.Crowley’s new harbor tug, eWolf, is unique in that it runs 100% powered by batteries, not diesel engines, meaning it produces zero emissions and nearly no noise. Not only is the vessel the first fully electric tug in the Crowley fleet, but it is also the first of its kind in the United States.Faced with stricter regulations and commercial pressure to prioritize environmental…

ABB has been selected by the Astilleros y Servicios Navales S.A. (ASENAV) shipyard based in Chile to provide a power and propulsion system for Antarctica21’s newbuild boutique expedition ship Magellan Discoverer. Due for delivery in 2026, the vessel is the first hybrid-electric polar cruise ship featuring Azipod propulsion to be built in the Americas. Accommodating up to 96 passengers and 67 crew members, the vessel will be operating in the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and…

ABB has secured an order with Spanish state-owned shipbuilding company Navantia to supply the Spanish Navy’s forthcoming submarine rescue vessel, Poseidon, with high-performance, DC-based power and distribution.Following the delivery scheduled for 2026, the vessel will be the first of its kind equipped with this system. The ship will be responsible for executing and supporting submarine missions, including diving operations, intervention and rescue in accidents and shipwrecks and underwater surveillance…

ABB has won a contract to deliver a power, propulsion, and automation system for two new-built short-sea container ships for Rotterdam-based global logistics company Samskip Group.According to ABB, the vessels will be among the world’s first of their kind to use hydrogen as a fuel. Financial details of the contract were not disclosed. Built by India-based Cochin Shipyard, the 135-meter ships are due for delivery in Q3 and Q4 of 2025, respectively. Both vessels will be operating between Oslo Fjord and Rotterdam, a distance of approximately 700 nautical miles.

ABB said Monday it had secured a large order from Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore Ltd., to deliver an integrated bridge-to-propeller technology for Havfram Wind’s two new NG20000X-HF Wind Turbine Installation Vessels (WTIVs). The vessels will be able to install offshore wind turbines with a rotor diameter of more than 300 meters, as well as XXL monopiles weighing up to 3,000 tons at water depths of up to 70 meters.ABB scope comprises four Azipod electric main propulsion units with a total propulsion power of 17 MW…

ABB announced it has secured a contract with Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku to supply an integrated power and propulsion package comprising two Azipod propulsion units and the Onboard DC Grid power system for two new, advanced multi-purpose patrol vessels of the Finnish Border Guard.Due for delivery in 2025 and 2026, the 98-meter ships will replace the outgoing Tursas and Uisko patrol vessels. Alongside the existing Turva, they will guard Finland’s borders, performing maritime rescue operations and helping mitigate environmental impacts.

The first of 10 new, all-electric ferries has been delivered for emission-free commuter services along Lisbon’s Tagus River.Built by the Astilleros Gondán shipyard for operator Transtejo, the vessel features an integrated power, automation, energy storage and propulsion solution from ABB.Replacing a fleet of older, fossil fuel-burning ferries, the 40-meter, 540-passenger vessels will also improve passenger comfort and reduce operational and maintenance costs.With power distribution managed by ABB Onboard DC Grid ensuring that output of each ship’s 1…

Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania will work with technology company ABB to explore building an electric ferry with hybrid-electric propulsion which could transition to battery power as shore charging becomes available.Seeking a transitional route to zero-emission operations for the ferry segment, Incat and ABB will evaluate the suitability of the ‘Incat 148E’ - a 148-meter-long roll-on roll-off passenger (RoPax) catamaran for operating in hybrid mode as well as adapting to full battery operation at a later stage.Conceived by Revolution Design…

ABB won a repeat order with Sefine Shipyard to deliver a power and propulsion system to a second Frøy live-fish carrier, a system that comprises ABB’s Onboard DC Grid and a distribution solution designed specifically for integrating fish-handling equipment and other specialized equipment.The power setup will be managed by ABB's integrated Power and Energy Management System (PEMS).While fish-handling systems have traditionally used AC solutions, ABB’s Onboard DC Grid enables a DC setup.

A new hybrid-electric tugboat due for delivery by end of December 2022 will be the first of its kind to operate in Japanese waters.The vessel, Taiga, is the result of a collaboration between Tokyo Kisen Co., Ltd. and e5 Lab Inc., a Japanese consortium with the purpose of planning and developing fully electric vessels. It is being constructed at the Kanagawa Dockyard Co., Ltd. in Kobe.Designed to enable zero-emission operations in harborside environments, it is equipped with ABB’s Onboard DC Grid…

One of its most significant initiatives in the Japanese shipping industry's push toward net zero is e5 Lab Inc., a consortium comprising Asahi Tanker Co., Ltd., Exeno Yamamizu Corporation, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Mitsubishi Corporation, with the purpose of developing renewably powered commercial ships.e5 Lab  recently unveiled ROBOSHIP – a design for a biomass fuel carrier, powered by a fully standardized, electric propulsion system to attain zero emission operations at harbour.

ABB has won a contract to deliver power and propulsion systems for the superyacht to be constructed by the German yacht builder Abeking & Rasmussen shipyard (A&R). Scheduled for delivery in 2025, the 100-meter-plus vessel will be one of the largest ever constructed at A&R’s yard in Lemwerder, Northern Germany. The extensive scope of ABB systems onboard will include Azipod propulsion, Onboard DC Grid, a 500kWh Energy Storage System (ESS) and Power and Energy Management System (PEMS), whose combined and fully integrated capabilities will reduce emissions, noise, and vibration.