Super-ferries under construction at a shipyard in China will be equipped with ABB equipment
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ABB will supply green electrification, digitalization and communications solutions for two ferries under construction for P&O Ferries.
ABB has signed a contract with Guangzhou Shipyard International Ltd to supply a suite of solutions for two new vessels ordered by the British shipping operator P&O Ferries.Advanced technologies, including the Azipod® propulsion system and batteries, will reduce fuel consumption by one tonne on the English Channel route, ABB said. The hybrid propulsion system, which will use 8.8 MWh battery power and diesel generators, will reduce fuel consumption by up to 40% on the Dover (England) – Calais (France) route where P&O Ferries operate. Initially, battery power will be used only in the port area, and with the expansion of the onshore charging infrastructure, the ferries will be able to operate entirely on electricity with absolutely zero emissions.The new 230-meter vessels will be equipped with four Azipod® rudders with a capacity of 7.5 MW each. The ferries will enter service in 2023 and will be the largest passenger and freight ferries operating on this route. According to P&O Ferries, the benefits of integrating complex ship systems were a decisive factor in choosing ABB systems.In addition to the Azipod® propulsion system and batteries, the vessels will be equipped with ABB’s cutting edge automation and energy management solutions. The ships will also use the ABB Ability ™ Marine Pilot Control intelligent maneuvering and control system, which improves safety and control efficiency by automating part of the navigation processes. The technology enables the officer of the watch to focus on optimizing overall ship control and geo-positioning.The ships’ engines will be powered by ABB’s Power2 two-stage turbocharging system, which will further increase energy efficiency, reducing fuel consumption by up to 5%. In addition, Power2 can help reduce NOx emissions by up to 60%.
