MV WERFTEN selects ABB propulsion, automation and marine software for five new Genting vessels

9 January 2017 (Wismar, Germany) – Azipod propulsion amongst a series of solutions will improve safety and efficiency of new generation of ships for Crystal Cruises and Star Cruises. ABB will supply the complete power, propulsion and automation package for a series of new cruise vessels being built by MV WERFTEN for Genting Hong Kong brands Crystal Cruises and Star Cruises.

ABB Marine MV WerftenThe three Crystal Cruises’ luxury “Endeavor Class” mega-yachts will feature a Polar Class 6 and enable cruising in the Arctic; then follow the route of migrating whales along the coast of the Americas and Europe to Antarctica during winter.

The Star Cruises “Global Class” vessels will be two of the largest on the market with 204,000 tons registered tonnage each. These impressive vessels are specially designed for the Asian cruise market.

The five vessels will all feature a complete ABB propulsion system, electric power plant, automation and marine software system. The three Crystal ships will be powered by two Azipod D units each to enable the ships to navigate polar conditions whilst the two new Star Cruises “Global Class” ships will each be installed with three Azipod XO thrusters. All the vessels will also feature ABB´s flagship automation with Intelligent Maneuvering Interface and OCTOPUS marine software for optimised energy management.

“The cooperation with ABB will further strengthen and support our vision to build the world´s most modern and efficient cruise vessels. Together with MV WERFTEN and ABB we will incorporate the latest technology into our luxury cruise ships,” commented Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Executive Chairman of the Genting Group.

Jarmo Laakso, Managing Director of MV WERFTEN. “Our yards have a long experience in the shipbuilding industry and we are extremely pleased to cooperate with the leading propulsion and automation system provider in the industry. This full scope from ABB Marine and Ports will guarantee us the best available equipment and experienced high-level project management to work with.”

“We are very excited to work with MV WERFTEN and Genting Hong Kong in this project. For two decades, Azipod propulsion has enabled cruise operators to push both technological and geographical boundaries. This exciting new generation of Genting vessels has been built in that same spirit and our power and Azipod propulsion systems together with automation and marine software will support the outstanding performance of the vessels,” said Juha Koskela, Managing Director of ABB’s marine and ports business.

Approximately two thirds of the modern large cruise ships, icebreakers and high ice-class cargo vessels are fitted with Azipod propulsion. Cruise owners have been using Azipod units for two decades favouring its increased efficiency maneuverability and space saving properties over shaft-line systems.

Marcus Högblom, Vice President of Global Sales, Passenger vessels and Azipod propulsion said: “We are seeing increased interest in the polar regions from the passenger sector, so our expertise in the cruise and ice-going sectors means we are ideally positioned and can fully support our customers with their new projects.”

Delivery of the five vessels is scheduled for 2019 onwards.

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ABB’s Azipod Propulsion Selected for Five New Genting Cruise Ships

About ABB

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing more than a 125-year history of innovation, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization and driving the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 135,000 employees. www.abb.com

About MV WERFTEN

MV WERFTEN comprises of three shipyards in Wismar, Rostock and Stralsund in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (MV) and has some of the largest docks and covered fabrication facilities in Europe. The yards are located in a region with an excellent transportation and logistics infrastructure and have direct access to the Baltic Sea. Further investments in a laser thin-plate welding line, cabin manufacturing, state-of-the-art software and other automation will be made to make MV WERFTEN one of the most efficient cruise ship builders in the world.

In their 70-year history, the three shipyards have designed, produced and fitted out around 2,500 sea-going newbuilds, including two AIDA cruise vessels, Premicon river cruise vessels and Stena Line ferries. MV WERFTEN, headquartered in Wismar, is constantly investing in innovation and new technologies as well as employee training to guarantee excellent “made in MV” quality.