ABB to Supply Bunker-Saving Azipod Propulsion to Viking Line LNG-Fuelled Newbuild

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Monday October 9, 2017

ABB today announced it is set to supply its bunker-saving Azipod propulsion system to new liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fuelled Viking Line cruise ferry - the first installation of Azipod propulsion in a cruise ferry application.

"Our expectations for this vessel is that she will be the most efficient cruise ferry operating in the Baltic, if not the world, and our choice of ABB is based on our experience of them as a reliable, innovative supply partner with the knowledge and understanding to run major projects in Finland and locally with shipbuilders," said, Jan Hanses, President and CEO of Viking Line.

As Ship & Bunker has previously reported, the RoPax ferry is slated for delivery in the spring of 2020, and is planned to serve the Turku-AĚŠland Islands-Stockholm route upon completion.

"Azipod electrical propulsion is especially suited to the high efficiency and fast turnaround required to navigate the archipelago between Finland and Sweden," said ABB today.

In contrast to Viking Line's earlier newbuild Viking Grace, which includes conventional shaftline propulsion technology, ABB says the latest vessel will see the first installation in a cruise ferry application of twin XO 2100-type Azipod propulsion.

"Azipod XO units are the propulsion solution of choice in the cruise ship market. Like all Azipod propulsion units, the XO-type features intelligent control systems and advanced condition monitoring, and is designed for optimized energy efficiency and maintainability," said ABB.

Ship & Bunker News Team
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