"World's Most Advanced" Cable-Laying Vessel Cuts Fuel Consumption 27%

ABB says it has ordered "the world's most advanced" cable-laying vessel.

ABB Friday announced it has ordered "the world's most advanced" cable-laying vessel, featuring the company's Integrated Automation System and three Azipod propulsion units that is said to be capable of cutting fuel consumption by 27 percent compared to traditional AC systems.

The order is said to be intended to boost the capacity of the company's submarine cable operations, as well as to achieve "greater efficiency and precision" among the company's fleet, setting new standards for both reliability and accuracy.

"This next-generation vessel incorporating state-of-the-art ABB technologies will be a key differentiator for our high-voltage cable business, enhancing flexibility and execution ability," said Claudio Facchin, president of the Power Systems division at ABB.

"It will also improve operational efficiency and customer focus, supporting profitable growth in line with our Next Level strategy."

Not only will the combination of the Integrated Automation System, three Azipod propulsion unit, and energy storage system reduce fuel consumption, ABB says it will also reduce maintenance.

“The new ship will deploy many of ABB’s own leading marine technologies,” explained ABB in the announcement.

“The award-winning Onboard DC Grid and power distribution solution, for instance, will use a single DC circuit for ship propulsion to reduce power consumption."

ABB says that the newbuild will have roll-reduction tanks, as well as subsea operations executed and monitored by a remotely operated vehicles that utilise cameras and sonar.

“Sensors, monitoring hardware and software will enable data to be sent to shore via a satellite link, to allow the onshore technical support centers to work closely with the ship as part of ABB’s Integrated Marine Operations solution,” explains ABB.

The company says that advanced advisory software intended for motion monitoring, as well as forecasting and decision making support, will also be made available onboard the new vessel.

The newbuild vessel, which is expected to be delivered in 2017, will be custom-built by Norway’s Kleven Verft AS shipyard to the company’s specifications, says ABB.

In June, ABB said that the first application on a marine engine of its Power2 800-M turbocharging solution will help achieve "six figure savings" on fuel annually.