ABB provides Azipod® propulsion for wind turbine installation vessels

October 22, 2012 – Energy-efficient, reliable Azipod C propulsion system from new regional ABB factory for two Wind Turbine Installation Vessels built by Samsung Heavy Industries.

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, recently delivered four Azipod C propulsion systems for the Blue Ocean II Wind Turbine Installation Vessel built by Samsung Shipyard in Korea.

This is a repeat order from Samsung Shipyard, following a similar scope for the first Blue Ocean Wind Turbine Installation Vessel delivered in September, 2011. The two Wind Turbine Installation Vessels Samsung built will be delivered to Singapore based offshore oil and gas industry service provider Swire Pacific Offshore Operation (Pte.) Ltd. In total, ABB has provided eight Azipod C propulsion systems for the two vessels.

ABB’s compact Azipod C marine propulsion system saves space inside the vessel hull for more efficiency in ship design and equipment placement, and can help reduce vessels’ fuel consumption by 25% while improving their maneuvering capabilities. The improved maneuverability will help the Blue Ocean vessels operate in a wider weather window, providing more flexibility in the transportation and installation of offshore wind foundation materials and turbines of all types and sizes.

The Azipod systems for these projects were delivered from ABB’s new Azipod C factory in Shanghai, China, which was established in 2011 to serve customers in the Asian region.

“The Azipod C factory in Shanghai helps us meet the fast-growing demand of the Chinese shipyards for high-end vessels, at the same time, allowing us to get closer to customers of other key shipbuilding markets like Japan and South Korea,” said Heikki Soljama, global head of ABB’s Marine and Cranes Business Unit.

Within one year of opening the factory, ABB realized the goal of delivering the China quality abroad. The Blue Ocean vessels are the pilot projects to be delivered outside China; the Blue Ocean II project completed installation in July, 2012.

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 about 145,000 people.

For help with any technical terms in this release, please go to: www.abb.com/glossary