Despite turbulent economic conditions, ABB arrives at this year’s Nor-Shipping having secured orders worth US$60 million in the first five months of 2009, built on the robust offshore market. The power and automation group is now looking to consolidate this success through new partnerships and the launch of its next generation Azipod.

ABB has supplied systems on board around 50% of the global deepwater drilling rig projects that have commenced since 2005.  Further, some 150 offshore support vessels featuring electrical propulsion systems from ABB Marine are due delivery before the end of 2010.

Critical in meeting this level of demand has been that the design of the electrical systems on board remains as simplified as possible.

“We have made system simplicity our key aim because of the benefits this confers in construction, operations and maintenance,” said Jorulf Nergard, ABB AS vice president sales – floaters, marine, and cranes.

Alf-Kåre Ådnanes, ABB Marine vice president and technology manager, added, “Operational concerns in electrical systems, such as blackout prevention and lean fuel consumption, are better addressed by adapting the performance of industry-standard products and systems, than they are by engineering increasingly complex customized solutions.”

Nor-Shipping 2009 will also provide a platform for an insight into ABB’s ‘next generation’ large Azipod unit for the cruise market. The breakthrough product will feature a revised bearing and sealing arrangement, involving the complete separation of the oil and water seals, and a void space factored into the hull design to accommodate possible seal leakages or ingress from the sea. The hull has also been optimized, to allow greater access for internal sealing and bearing maintenance at sea.

In the wake of the recent launch, all ABB’s Azipod units are being rebranded by size, product, and usage. Large units will be denoted by ‘V’, while compact units will be denoted ‘C’. Next generation units will be denoted by ‘X’. Open water units will be further described ‘O’, while ice application units will be described as ‘I’, while units with a nozzle are described with ‘Z’. 

During this week’s Nor Shipping event, ABB staff will be available to discuss developments across the full range of cruise ship, LNG carrier, OSV, drill ship & rig, and ice going ship applications. ABB will also be exhibiting its full range of drive, control, and turbocharger technology.