Abb News

It’s trite (but true) to say that in the maritime industry’s quest to cut emissions, there is no ‘silver bullet’ solution, rather a series of small step changes that cumulatively add up over time. Maritime Matters: The Marinelink Podcast, recently hosted Giuseppe Gargiulo, Head of Newbuildings, MSC and Daniel Bischofberger, CEO, Accelleron, to specifically discuss the development and delivery of Accelleron’s FITS2 technology, and automation technology built with MSC and premised on Accelleron’s cumulative 100+ years of turbocharger experience.

Corvus Energy, a provider of zero-emission energy solutions for the maritime industry, has received a record order from Remontowa Shipbuilding in Poland for the supply of battery systems for seven new fully electric ferries for Scottish Government owned Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) in Scotland.This marks the largest contract in Corvus Energy’s history, measured in USD value, and represents a milestone in advancing clean, sustainable ferry operations in the UK.The…

In 2010, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) began the process of replacing its research vessel, R/V Western Flyer. With Glosten at their side as vessel designer, MBARI considered three types of ships for their new project. The Western Flyer was a small waterplane area twin hull (SWATH), but the parties agreed on a monohull design for the new vessel. In 2021, Freire Shipyard won the bid to build the vessel, and R/V David Packard came to life.There is no “I” in TeamWill Moon…

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 verified what it calls a major advancement in vessel Dynamic Positioning (DP) technology, following successful Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) proving trials and sea trials on board the new wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) Norse Wind.By integrating ABB Ability Marine Pilot Control - a ship control system that unifies dynamic positioning, maneuvering, and transit functionalities into one intuitive interface - with Azipod propulsion units, the vessel showcases distinctive advantages of system-level synergy.Meeting all performance expectations…

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson selected the $714.5 million bid from Florida-based Eastern Shipbuilding Group to build three new Washington State Ferries (WSF) vessels earlier this year, and the project is advancing with new contract awards.The hybrid/electric vessels have a length overall of 409’-6” with an 83’-2” beam and a hull depth of 24’-6”. They will be certified to transport 160 standard-sized passenger vehicles and 1500 passengers. With a draft of 16’-6”, the ferries…

Hanwha Ocean has delivered the Wind Mover wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) to offshore wind contractor Cadeler, completing the second vessel in the company’s M-class series about one month ahead of schedule.The vessel was formally signed over on November 28 and sailed away on December 2, following a naming ceremony at Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Korea.Wind Mover is the second of two WTIVs ordered by Cadeler in 2021, with the first vessel, Wind Maker, delivered in January 2025.

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…

Swedish maritime battery systems specialist Echandia has secured an order from ABB to supply a 3.7 MWh battery system for a new hybrid icebreaker vessel for the Canadian Coast Guard to be built at Helsinki Shipyard.The contract marks Echandia’s first entry into the Canadian market and strengthens the company’s global footprint in sustainable maritime propulsion.The icebreaker will operate as a hybrid ship, combining conventional propulsion with advanced battery technology to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency in demanding Arctic conditions.The order was awarded by ABB…

ABB has secured a contract with Helsinki Shipyard to supply a complete electric power and propulsion solution for the Polar Max icebreaker, which is expected to be delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard by 2030.Polar Max will be constructed through an industrial collaboration between Canadian-controlled facilities in Helsinki, Finland and Lévis, Canada. The 22,800-ton, 138.5-meter vessel is the first shipbuilding project at Helsinki Shipyard under the ownership of Davie, the Quebec-based international shipbuilder.

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 signed a term sheet agreement with SwitcH2 to engineer and supply automation and electrification solutions for SwitcH2’s floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit dedicated to producing green ammonia from green hydrogen, to support future demand for low-carbon marine fuels.The FPSO facility will be stationed off the coast of Portugal and powered by certified renewable electricity from the national grid under a Power Purchase Agreements. It will feature a 300 MW electrolyzer with the potential to produce up to 243…

At GasTech 2025 in Milan, Everllence signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ABB and OceanWings to jointly develop an optimized propulsion concept that builds upon Everllence’s and ABB’s existing DFE+ (Diesel-Electric with variable speed) concept.The concept enables high engine efficiency, even at partial loads; operational flexibility through multiple engines; and future integration of sustainable energy sources like batteries and fuel cells.With growing regulatory and financial pressure to reduce emissions and the technological maturity of wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS)…

Interest in hybrid government and patrol boats is growing as boat builders demonstrate their many benefits.Launched last year at Seawork, Sweden-based Marell Boats says its M17 Patrol was the star of the show with its hybrid powertrain from Scania and propulsion system by Marine Jet Power.Like others in the patrol boat market, Project Manager Mario Celegin is seeing increasing interest in hybrid patrol boats. There’s a lot of reasons why: near-silent patrolling in electric mode…

Hanwha Ocean, one of the leading shipbuilders in South Korea, has awarded ABB the contract to supply a complete electric power and propulsion system for Singapore’s first floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal.ABB ’s integrated electrical system on board the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) will comprise a medium voltage generator, 6.6kV switchboards for cargo and regasification, and the motor, transformer and drive for propulsion.The floating terminal will also feature ABB’s remote control and remote diagnostics system…

ABB has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Swedish nuclear energy company Blykalla to support and accelerate the deployment of small modular lead-cooled reactors to the maritime industry.Building on the terms of an existing MoU between Blykalla and ABB signed in October 2024, which targets developing lead-cooled SMR technology to support Sweden’s clean energy requirements, the agreement expands the partnership and aligns with growing momentum for nuclear energy as a marine power source.Blykalla’s Swedish Advanced Lead Reactor (SEALER) is a highly compact…

ABB and shipping company Wallenius Marine have formally established a new joint venture based in Stockholm, Sweden, to expand their OVERSEA™ collaboration.Launched in September 2022 as a collaboration between ABB and Wallenius Marine, OVERSEA™ is a combined digital solution and ‘fleet-support-center-as-a-service’ offering designed to help ship owners, operators, and managers enhance the efficiency and sustainability of maritime operations.OVERSEA™ leverages ABB’s significant expertise…

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…

The board of directors of MacGregor Group AB has appointed Jonas Gustavsson Chief Executive Officer of MacGregor as of August 1, 2025. He succeeds Leif Byström, who is retiring.Jonas Gustavsson joined MacGregor in March 2025 as Deputy President. Prior to that he served as the CEO of AFRY AB from 2017 until early 2025. His earlier positions include 23 years of leadership experience with various senior roles at Sandvik, Rotax, Bombardier and ABB. Jonas is a Swedish citizen, born in 1967…

ABB has signed a 15-year service agreement with Royal Caribbean Group, a vacation industry giant with a global fleet of 67 ships across its five brands.Covering 33 existing ships, the comprehensive agreement includes preventive maintenance and digital solutions to support and optimize propulsion operations, improve vessel safety, maximize fleet availability, and ensure fast turnaround times for planned Azipod propulsion servicing.Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.“Our collaboration with Royal Caribbean Group spans nearly three decades…

ABB has secured a large order by Seatrium, a global provider of marine engineering solutions based in Singapore, for the supply of electrical equipment and automation solutions on a new generation of floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels for operator Petrobras.The two vessels, P-84 and P-85, will be deployed in the Atapu and Sépia fields, approximately 200 kilometers off the coast of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.ABB will design and construct the topside and hullside electrical equipment…

ABB announced the launch of the AMXE Marine Motor, an electric propulsion solution engineered to withstand the tough conditions at sea, including continuous exposure to corrosive saltwater and powerful ocean currents. ABB has developed this motor specifically for small to mid-sized electric and hybrid vessels and open deck applications, combining durability, high performance, and installation flexibility into one compact package.With the highest power density in ABB’s motor portfolio…

The passenger ferry M/S Suomenlinna II has become the first ship to be retrofitted with ABB’s new-generation ACS880LC drive. The drive technology will enhance vessel efficiency and help to secure smooth and reliable operations for many years to come.As one of three ferries operated by Helsinki City Transport subsidiary Suomenlinnan Liikenne Oy, the 33.8-meter-long Suomenlinna II serves the Market Square–Suomenlinna route year-round. An integral part of the Helsinki public transport system…