Azipods move ahead strongly

摘要

Last autumn, new contracts worth some ?70 million were announced by ABB Marine for its Azipod electric azimuthing propulsion concept. Among these was one for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's second Ultra Voyager ship, which will be powered by three 14MW cycloconverter-controlled Azipods; ABB will additionally supply six main alternators of 17.6MVA (12.3MW) each, the 11kV switchboard, four 3.4MW bow thruster motors, and 18 transformers, A highly significant contract in China involves two new train ferries for Sinorail Bohai Train Ferry, under construction at Tianjin Xingang Shipyard for delivery in 2006 (discussed in a separate article in this issue). Each of these will be powered by an ABB medium-voltage plant centred on two-plus-two alternators, and twin PWM-DTC frequency-controlled Compact Azipod units rated at 4088kW (the Compact version of the Azipod is specially designed for smaller installations under 5000kW). ABB also secured an Azipod order for Norilsk Nickel's new Arctic container ship, ordered recently at Aker Finnyards (see article elsewhere in this feature). ABB deliveries for this interesting vessel include one 13MW Azipod propulsion unit, medium-voltage power generation, and distribution systems.