ALSTOM Supplies Electric Propulsion Systems Two New Cruise Ships

ALSTOM Power Conversion has been selected by Princess Cruises and Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. to supply electric propulsion systems for two Grand Class cruise ships. According to Michel Pater, Senior Vice President, Marine & Offshore, ALSTOM’s know-how, expertise and success in the domain of electric propulsion, especially in big cruise ships, made ALSTOM an ideal choice. Each ship will be equipped with two of ALSTOM’s electric motors each with a rated power of 20,000 kW / 145 rpm. ALSTOM is also to supply the main and auxiliary generators, the 11 kV main switchboard, the induction motors for thrusters and compressors and all the Synchrodrive and control units dedicated to the electric propulsion. The ships will be delivered to the shipowner from 2003. In the same period, Princess Cruises has also placed an order, for four other cruise ships, with Chantiers de l’Atlantique and these ships will also be fitted with ALSTOM?s electric propulsion systems (2 x 20,000 kW / 150 rpm per ship).-