Integrated electrical and Azipod marine propulsion systems to maximize performance of Icebreakers

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won an order worth around $25 million to supply its marine propulsion system, Azipod, and complete electric power plants for two new rescue and salvage icebreakers that are under construction at Nordic Yards GmbH in Germany.

The new vessels, owned by Russia’s State Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (SMRCC), will be used for patrols and rescue operations in offshore oil-and-gas fields. They will be fitted with equipment for search and rescue tasks and oil-spill response. The vessels are designed for Arctic conditions and will receive Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RMRS) Icebreaker 6 class notations to perform rescue operations in waters covered by ice of up to one meter thick.

“Since ABB’s first delivery of Azipod technology for ice breakers in the 1990s, 60 units have been delivered for more than 30 ice-going vessels,” said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB’s Process Automation division. “On average, two out of three high ice-class vessels built today are fitted with ABB systems. This order sustains our reputation as a long-term and reliable partner in the Russian market.”

ABB’s scope of supply will include 3.5 megawatt (MW) Azipod VI units, main switchboards, drives, bow thrusters and generators. Total power per vessel will be 7 MW. ABB has made a significant investment in Russia to support the country’s fast-growing offshore oil-and-gas activities in the Arctic. The company has 27 offices in Russia and five production sites, overseen by the head office in Moscow. ABB has also reinforced its presence in Russia by establishing dedicated marine centers in Moscow and St. Petersburg, backed by specialized marine service teams in Murmansk and Sakhalin. 

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs some 145,000 people.