Debut contract with Dutch luxury yacht builder Oceanco on Azipod® technology installation project paves the way for broader cooperation on sustainable electric propulsion in a market expected to exceed $10 billion by 2025

Specified for a superyacht built to the highest sustainability standards, ABB’s integrated project scope covers the supply of two 2.5 MW Azipod® units, together with propulsion drives and controls.

The Azipod® system is well-known for superior fuel efficiency and maneuverability over conventional setups across a broad variety of vessel types from cruise ships to tankers and ferries. The scalability of Azipod® propulsion means that it is equally well-suited to the environmentally conscious superyacht sector, a market where owners also place special value on the highest comfort standards brought by lower noise and vibrations.

Azipod® technology is based on a steerable propulsion system whose electric drive is contained in a submerged pod outside the ship’s hull rotating through 360 degrees. Launched three decades ago, Azipod® propulsion has become an industry benchmark for environmentally-friendly vessel technology, with its proven ability to cut fuel consumption by up to 20 percent compared to traditional shaftline propulsion systems.

“With Oceanco’s ultimate goal of zero impact on the environment, we are delighted to collaborate with ABB Marine & Ports, whose leading-edge technologies are known for delivering the sustainability benefits increasingly sought by superyacht owners,” said Remco Jurgens, Naval Architect, Oceanco. The two companies are assessing the potential for the integration of complete power and propulsion systems in future projects, he added.

“We are very pleased to have closed this first deal with Oceanco, and we look forward to collaborating in the future. Our two companies share an ethos of sustainable business development that provides a strong foundation for our relationship,” said Thomas Hackman, Market Development Manager, Superyachts, ABB Marine & Ports.

Both companies have recently underlined their commitment to sustainable development and ambitious targets that will also help decarbonize the marine sector. As part of its Sustainability strategy 2030 launched in November 2020, ABB will achieve carbon neutrality across its own operations and will support its customers in reducing their annual CO2 emissions by at least 100 megatonnes, equivalent to the annual emissions of 30 million combustion cars. Meanwhile, the superyacht builder has launched the Oceanco NXT initiative to collaborate with partners across different business sectors with the ultimate aim of designing and building zero-emission superyachts.

“We see ABB as a leading supplier and an essential partner for future developments,” said Jurgens. “Efficient energy management systems, energy storage, and advanced propulsion systems are considered fundamental to achieving our goal.”

An additional benefit for Oceanco and its client is ABB’s worldwide support network, providing round-the-clock advice and the capability to leverage the ABB Ability™ Remote Diagnostics System for equipment monitoring and troubleshooting. Today, with over 1,000 ships connected to ABB Ability™ Collaborative Operations worldwide, digital services are at the core of supporting vessels from shore. ABB experts monitor onboard systems, coordinate equipment diagnostics and offer maintenance services 24/7 from eight ABB Ability™ Collaborative Operations Centers around the globe.

ABB supplies the marine industry with world-leading technologies that are driving the evolution of sustainable shipping. Electrical propulsion, data-driven decision support and integrated solutions for ship and shore from ABB are paving the way to a zero-emission marine industry, providing greater efficiency and reliability to shipowners, and preparing vessels to meet the demands of tomorrow.