ABB wins major power and propulsion orders for five Fincantieri vessels

To strengthen its position as a preferred supplier to the cruise industry, ABB will equip five new-build vessels with the Azipod® electric propulsion system, which has been proven to significantly reduce fuel consumption on board.

Each cruise ship will be powered by twin Azipod® units, bringing the total order propulsion power of the five newbuildings to 178 MW (238,700 hp). Part of the order contains the largest and most powerful Azipod® push units ever built at Fincantieri devices, each rated at 20 megawatts. The ships will be commissioned between 2023 and 2026.

"We look forward to working with Fincantieri to develop these world-class vessels and put them on eco-conscious cruising routes. Today's passengers are waiting for a journey to continue, and we are honored to support Fincantieri's environmental approach with our skills that represent innovation and power," said Juha Koskela, President of ABB's Maritime & Ports Division.

"Our partnership with ABB spans more than two decades, with the first Azipod® propelling device at Fincantieri dating back to the late 1990s. Today, we are furthering our commitment to environmentally friendly shipping, and we are delighted to once again be working with a trusted partner whose solutions have brought outstanding performance, reliability, safety and sustainability benefits to the cruise industry for many years," said Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager, Merchant Marine, Fincantieri.

Because the electric drive motor is located in an underwater pod outside the hull, the Azipod® system can rotate 360 degrees, significantly improving the vessel's maneuverability and operating power compared to conventional shafting systems, and reducing fuel consumption by up to 20%.

Today, more than 100 cruise ships have adopted the Azipod® skill, which has become the professional standard in the cruise industry. Since its introduction 30 years ago, the Azipod® propulsion system has saved more than 900,000 tonnes of fuel in passenger cruising alone. Azipod® pushers are available in a range of sizes ranging from 1 to 22 megawatts, and their skills play a key role in ABB's strong position in environmentally friendly electric propulsion.

Each vessel will also be equipped with ABB's integrated power plant setup, which includes generators, drives, switchboards, push transformers and long-distance control systems to operate the Azipod® equipment from the bridge. Combining the Azipod® drive with the power plant allows everything to be configured to optimize performance, increasing operational power and sustainability.

Compliant with ABB Marine & Ports 'Electric. Digital. Connected. With an approach that imagines a digital and connected future for shipping, these vessels will have the ability to collaboratively operate infrastructure and centers using ABB Ability™. Collaborative Operations uses long-distance device monitoring and data analytics to enable predictive protection, planned interventions, and long-distance skills support.

ABB wins major power and propulsion orders for five Fincantieri vessels

ABB wins major power and propulsion orders for five Fincantieri vessels

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