Heikki Soljama News

Next generation of maritime technology will be developed with ship owners at high technology facility in Helsinki, Finland. Power and automation group ABB has upped its commitment to research and development in the marine sector by opening a new laboratory in Helsinki, next to the Azipod factory, aiming to bring together all the company’s offerings for the shipping industry under one roof. ABB said it has invested significant funds in the scheme, which will be used by the 30 ABB engineers dedicated to marine research in Helsinki as well as to demonstrate products to customers.

Simulations indicate diesel electric propulsion can be a fuel efficient solution for LNG carriers under realistic operating conditions. Power and automation technology group ABB has disclosed details of a study from DNV-GL R&D examining the potential for efficiency improvements of dual fuel diesel electric (DFDE) propulsion. The study found it is possible to improve overall vessel efficiency and thus asset competitiveness in certain vessel and configuration cases, demonstrating furthermore that an optimized DFDE LNG carrier can be a highly fuel efficient solution for the specific case and boundaries of the study. ABB requested DNV-GL R&D to undertake an analysis of DFDE propulsion under realistic operating conditions for LNG carriers…

Power and automation group ABB informs it is working with MeteoGroup to equip 140 containerships from Maersk Line with advisory software to optimize routes, boost maritime safety and protect cargo based on factors including the hull design and the weather; helping the shipping line avoid conditions that could be harmful to the ship, its crew or its cargo. The deal will see ABB combine its Octopus motion-monitoring, forecasting and decision-support software, which improves vessel availability and safety, with MeteoGroup’s SPOS Seekeeping plug-in.

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has been awarded the Innovation of the Year Award for the recently introduced Azipod D electric propulsion product at the Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Innovation of the Year Award identifies pioneering technologies that push the boundaries and contribute to making electric and hybrid propulsion possible and viable. The winner was selected by an international jury consisting of 38 maritime journalists, industry experts and academics. ABB introduced the Azipod D in March 2015. ABB’s gearless Azipod propulsion system is already the preferred choice of cruise vessels, icebreakers, ice-going cargo vessels and offshore accommodation ships.

ABB will deliver energy monitoring and management system EMMA to German-based cruise operator AIDA’s entire fleet consisting of 10 vessels. The EMMA advisory suite, already installed on six of AIDA’s cruise ships, is a decision-support tool to minimize the overall energy costs for individual vessels and entire fleets. AIDA’s installation of the SEEMP-compliant (ship energy efficiency management plan) EMMA will cover seven top-level categories: propulsion power, propulsion efficiency, vessel trim, hotel and auxiliary power, air condition power per person, specific fuel oil consumption of the main diesel generators and total fuel consumption. By reducing fuel consumption, ABB will also help AIDA to reduce the vessel’s environmental emissions.

ABB has won an order to deliver complete electric power plant, electrical propulsion systems and an energy management solution for Estonia-based Tallink Grupp´s new liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered fast ferry. The large-scale ferry will be built at Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland for delivery in the beginning of 2017. The vessel will be about 212 meters in length with a gross tonnage of 49,000. The ferry, planned to carry 2,800 passengers, will operate between Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, and Helsinki, the capital of Finland.

Pioneer Marine’s newbuilds will feature OCTOPUS-Onboard fuel monitoring system to support the crew’s decision-making. ABB Group company Amarcon will deliver Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP)-compliant OCTOPUS-Onboard fuel monitoring systems for 12 Handysize bulk carriers that will be built by YangZhou GuoYu Shipbuilding Co., Ltd and delivered to the Singapore based owner Pioneer Marine Inc. in 2015 and 2016. Mandatory on all vessels since 2013, SEEMP is an operational measure that establishes a mechanism to improve the energy efficiency of a ship in a cost-effective manner.

ABB announced that it will deliver advanced electrical propulsion systems for four LNG carriers under construction by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. The LNG vessels are a joint venture between China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), China LNG Shipping (Holdings) Limited (CLNG) and Teekay, and will operate under 20-year time-charter contracts with Methane Services Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BG. LNG carriers are highly sophisticated in terms of technology and are specially designed to transport LNG at a low temperature of minus 162 degrees Celsius. They are regarded as the “super freezer cars of the sea” and “the pearl on the crown” in the world shipbuilding industry.

ABB has won orders worth $60 million to deliver complete electrical power plant and propulsion systems for two new vessels for Star Cruises operated by Genting HongKong and to be built by Meyer Werft at its shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The orders were booked during 2014. ABB will supply complete electrical systems for the new vessels, including power generation and distribution systems and thruster motors, as well as its latest-generation Azipod XO propulsion system, commanding power output of 20.5 megawatts (MW). ABB said its energy efficient Azipod propulsion uses less fuel than traditional systems, provides greater maneuverability in all operating conditions, and will contribute to optimized vessel performance and a high level of passenger comfort and safety.

Offshore construction vessel order is the first to include ABB’s integrated power and automation solution consisting of ABB’s advanced power, propulsion and 800xA control and safety system. ABB will deliver a cutting-edge solution which includes electrical propulsion, power, safety and automation systems. These systems will be integrated and run on a single control system platform for a 5000T heavy-lift pipelay construction vessel. By integrating power and automation on the vessel, overall efficiency, safety and reliability will be increased.

ABB, a global leader in power and automation technology, has secured an order to deliver total power solutions to Ocean Rig’s two seventh generation new integrated design mobile offshore drilling units (MODU) that is being built by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) at Goeje shipyard in Korea. The contract includes an option to extend the delivery to two additional vessels. ABB’s scope of delivery to the ultra deep water (UDW) drillships includes total power and propulsion solutions for drilling and propulsion, system engineering and project management, calculations, analysis and interface coordination and site management and commissioning service. The drilling vessels will be delivered to Ocean Rig in 2017. unmatched quality.

ABB has signed an extensive service agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCC) to increase cost efficiency and predictability of maintenance costs. The agreement spans 15 years and encompasses six vessels under RCC’s brands Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International. The financial value of the service agreement is in excess of $50 million. The agreement covers four Solstice and two Oasis class vessels and includes an option to extend the agreement to additional existing vessels, vessels that are currently under construction and future newbuilds.

Power and automation technology group, ABB, says it has won contracts worth in excess of $20 million to supply electrical power and propulsion systems for two next generation offshore vessels. The first vessel is being constructed at Ulstein Verft in Norway for Island Ventures 11, the joint venture set up in 2012 by the leading US and Norwegian owners Edison Chouest Offshore and Island Offshore, whose advanced subsea service vessels provide high quality solutions to the offshore oil industry. At 28 meters wide and 145.7 meters long, and with accommodation for 200 people, the SX165 will be the largest vessel constructed by Ulstein Verft and is due for delivery in Q3 2015.

Award for the tabletop unit of ABB’s new remote crane operator station, which is a crucial part of ABB’s crane operation solution that enables increased productivity and provides improved working environment for crane operators. ABB, a power and automation technology group, has been awarded the “red dot award” 2014 for the tabletop operator control unit of its new Remote Control Station (RCS). An international panel of 40 experts assessed products submitted by more than 1,800 manufacturers…

Power and automation technology group ABB has won an order from Spanish ferry operator Baleària to supply energy management systems for one of its largest vessels. ABB’s advisory software will be installed onboard the ferry Martin i Soler, with an option to extend the project to two further vessels in the Baleària fleet. The package supplied is part of ABB’s energy management solution package EMMA Advisory Suite of software. The EMMA Advisory Suite is a decision-support tool to minimize the overall energy costs for individual vessels and entire fleets.

ABB, a global provider of power and energy solutions, is to supply a complete Shore to Ship Power (S2S) system to Color Line’s ro-pax ferry, SuperSpeed1. The 34,231 tons gross SuperSpeed1, built by Aker Finnyards at Rauma in Finland, has been in service on the Kristiansand – Hitshals route since 2008 and is the third Color Line vessel to be equipped with ABB’s system, after the Color Magic and Color Fantasy. The contract, due for completion in March, underscores ABB’s Environmental…

Approval in principle confirms Onboard DC Grid’s suitability for marine application. The new system supports the growth of electrical propulsion systems onboard ships. ABB, a power and automation technology group, was granted Approval in Principal (AIP) for the Onboard DCGrid power distribution system by classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). To be granted the AIP, the Onboard DC Grid was subject to a series of risk assessment techniques to determine if the concept provides acceptable levels of safety in line with current marine industry practice, requirements and standards. The AIP now granted by ABS is a strong tool to support and streamline the design, approval, execution and inspection of new projects.

ABB, a power and automation technology group, has won an order to provide integrated solutions that include the electrical propulsion system, Azipod CZ and automation system onboard two offshore accommodation vessels. The 1+1 accommodation vessels will be built by COSCO (Nantong) Shipyard Co., Ltd for Singapore-registered owner Logitel Offshore, which is a subsidiary of Norwegian company Sevan Marine. The cylinder-shaped vessels will each have a displacement of about 40,000 metric tons and capacity to accommodate 490 persons.

ABB wins the awsrd for product design of the Azimutn lever that steers its Azipod XO marine propulsion unit. An international panel of 37 experts assessed products submitted by more than 1,800 manufacturers, designers and architects from 54 countries, evaluating the degree of innovation, functionality, quality, ergonomics, durability and ecological compatibility. “The new lever design was conceived in order to improve usability and ergonomics and thereby enhance safety levels,” said Heikki Soljama, head of ABB’s Marine and Cranes business.

ABB contracted to provide energy-efficient and environmental friendly solution for four LNG vessels to be built in Korea. Total orders in the first quarter of 2013 landed by ABB, worth close to $40 million, came from three gas transportation industry players and are for the supply of power and electric propulsion equipment for LNG vessels to be built in South Korea. ABB will supply its propulsion plant to work in combination with a duel fuel diesel engine plant on board a 155,000 cu m capacity LNG carrier ordered from Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) by a South East Asian ship owner.

Long-term service agreement improves lifecycle cost control and fleet reliability. ABB signed a long-term Preventive Service agreement with China LNG Shipping International Co. Ltd (CLSICO) to provide maintenance services to all ABB equipment onboard of its six LNG vessels in the next five years. The contract commenced January 1, 2013. The new service agreement will help CLSICO with optimized vessels performance at a predicted minimum level of budget. ABB will provide annual site survey and on-call services to the six vessels covered by the agreement…

ABB acquires APS Technology Group to expand its Crane and Harbor systems portfolio; acquisition expands ABB’s portfolio for container terminal automation to optimize cargo handling and tracking from ship to gate. ABB, a leading power and automation technology group, has agreed to acquire APS Technology Group (APS), a San Diego, California-based company that develops and markets solutions for the port industry. The acquisition will expand ABB’s crane system portfolio to the container terminal market. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2013. Established in 2002, APS employs approximately 50 full-time people in its headquarters in San Diego, California, and its office in Long Beach, California.

Long-term Preventive Service agreement will increase reliability and extend equipment life-time through scheduled maintenance procedures. ABB, an  automation technology group, has won a long-term service contract from Star Cruises for preventive maintenance of all ABB equipment onboard SuperStar Virgo for the next five years. The approximately US$ 1 million contract was signed in the fourth quarter of 2012 and commences in January 1, 2013. Star Cruises, the world’s third largest cruise company, has led cruise development in the Asia-Pacific region, where it operates seven vessels between the ports of Singapore, Port Klang (Malaysia) and Hong Kong. Star caters to Asian passengers as well as to North Americans, Europeans and Australians interested in Asian destinations.