ABB Wins Azipod Propulsion Orders

ABB has signed contracts worth to supply Azipod propulsion, power generation and distribution systems for a total of eleven vessels. They are being built by Admiralty Shipyard, Aker Yards, Fincantieri, Meyer Werft and for Sovcomflot, MMC Norilsk Nickel, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Crociere and Holland America Line. Two Arctic shuttle tankers for Sovcomflot will be equipped with two 8.5 MW Azipod units with ice class LU6 according to Russian Maritime Register rules. The vessels will be built at the Admiralty Shipyard in St. Petersburg, Russia and they will be designed to use the DA (Double Acting) concept. The ABB delivery also includes medium voltage generators, main switchboards, transformers, and frequency converters. This contract is the first Azipod system delivery for ABB Marine to Russian Shipyards and the ship deliveries are scheduled for 2009.

Four Arctic container vessels for Norilsk Nickel will each be equipped with a 13 MW Azipod unit. The ships will be designed to operate as double acting ships, which means that the main mode of operation in heavy ice conditions is aft first. The design will fulfill the Russian Maritime Register ice class LU7 requirements. The ABB delivery also includes medium voltage power generation and distribution systems. Delivery from Aker Yards in Germany is scheduled for 2008 and 2009. Royal Caribbean’s Genesis project will be equipped with three Azipod units. She will be the biggest cruise liner in the world with 220,000 in gross tonnage, 360 m in length and accommodation for 5,400 passengers when she enters service in autumn 2009. In addition to the Azipod systems ABB delivery includes medium voltage generators, main switchboards, transformers, frequency converters and bow thruster motors. The vessel will be built by Aker Yards, Finland Two cruise vessels, one each for Holland America Line and Costa Crociere, will be equipped with two 17.6 MW Azipod units each. ABB will also provide medium voltage generators, main switchboards, frequency converters, bow thruster motors and transformers. The ship deliveries are scheduled for 2008 and 2009. The vessels will be built by Fincantieri, Italy. Two Celebrity Cruises Solstice –class cruise vessels will have two 20.5 MW Azipod units for main propulsion. The ABB delivery also includes medium voltage generators, main switchboards, frequency converters, transformers, and bow thruster motors. Ship deliveries are in 2008 and 2009. The vessels will be built by Meyer Werft, Germany. 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 104,000 people.