ABB: Top Innovator for the Marine Industry In 2015

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won the “Innovation of the Year” award recognizing the company’s new Azipod D electric propulsion system for its important contribution to advancing modern shipping.

ABB, which was also named Propulsion Manufacturer of the Year for a second consecutive year, collected the honors this week during the renowned Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 

The winner was selected by an international jury consisting of 38 maritime journalists, industry experts and academics who recognized the Azipod D’s higher flexibility, reliability and energy efficiency.

“We are delighted that our latest addition to ABB’s electric propulsion portfolio is recognized as Innovation of the Year, and that electric propulsion continues to grow many times faster than the world’s fleet,” said Peter Terwiesch, President of ABB’s Process Automation division. “The flexibility and fuel efficiency of electric propulsion is a key enabler to performance and competitiveness in shipping.”

Azipod D, created to boost propulsion options for segments such as offshore drilling, construction and support vessels, is the latest member of ABB’s gearless Azipod propulsion family. Since its introduction in 1987, Azipod has become the preferred choice of cruise vessels, icebreakers, ice-going cargo vessels and offshore accommodation ships. 

The Azipod D requires up to 25 percent less installed power partly due to the new hybrid cooling that increases the performance of the electric motor by up to 45 percent. ABB’s Azipod D propulsion power ranges from 1.6 megawatts to 7 megawatts (MW) per unit.