ABB to Power First South American Built Hybrid-electric Polar Expedition Cruise Ship
ABB has been selected by the Astilleros y Servicios Navales S.A. (ASENAV) shipyard based in Chile to provide a power and propulsion system for Antarctica21’s newbuild boutique expedition ship Magellan Discoverer. Due for delivery in 2026, the vessel is the first hybrid-electric polar cruise ship featuring Azipod propulsion to be built in the Americas. Accommodating up to 96 passengers and 67 crew members, the vessel will be operating in the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and…
Engine Room Fire Investigation Highlights Due Diligence Failings
A fire on board a multi-purpose vessel chartered by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) while transiting the Southern Ocean highlights the risks and challenges of operating in harsh, remote conditions.On April 5, 2021, the 145 meter MPV Everest was en route from Antarctica to Hobart with 37 crew and 72 Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) staff on board when a fire broke out in its port engine room.The fire was contained and eventually extinguished using the engine room water mist fixed fire-extinguishing system after about 2.5 hours…
Brunvoll Propulsion Solution Chosen for Antarctic Longline Fishing Vessel
Båtbygg AS has placed an order with Brunvoll for a complete propulsion and maneuvering solution for Austral Fisheries new longline fishing vessel. The vessel is designed by Marin Teknikk AS for operation in the Antarctic Ocean, surrounded by some of the world’s harshest weather conditions.The new vessel named Austral Odyssey will have a length of 70 meters and a breadth of 14.6 meters.The propulsion and maneuvering solutions chosen for this vessel consists of a shaft line propeller with a 2-speed gearbox with power take-off (PTO) and power take-in (PTI).
ABB to Supply Ice-Classed Azipod Propulsion for Research Vessel
ABB has received an order from the Guangzhou Shipyard International to supply an Azipod® DI propulsion system for the new compact icebreaker of China’s Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering. The ship is expected to be delivered in 2025, after which it will begin to carry out operations in the Arctic and Antarctic Ocean.A complete electric propulsion system including two 4.5MW Azipod® units will drive the vessel through harsh weather and thick first-year ice to enable research on behalf of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Wärtsilä to Supply Propulsion for Brazilian Navy’s Polar Vessel
Wärtsilä announced it has been tapped to supply the main power generation and power conversion system for a new 103.16m Antarctic Support Vessel being built for the Brazilian Navy at Brazil’s Estaleiro Jurong Aracruz shipyard.The new Polar Vessel – Navio Polar Almirante Saldanha (NPo) – will be operated by the Brazilian Navy and is of strategic importance for maintaining the Brazilian presence in the Antarctic continent and ensuring the continuity of the scientific research that…
Brunvoll to Equip Brazilian Research Support Vessel
Norway-based Brunvoll said it has secured an "extensive" contract with shipbuilder Estaleiro Jurong Aracruz LTDA in Brazil for the delivery of a propulsion and maneuvering package for the Brazilian Ministry of Defense’s new Antarctic Research Support vessel.The delivery from Brunvoll comprises a variety of its own products and from its partners. Low noise and vibration levels arecrucial for conducting scientific research onboard an oceangoing vessel. Utilizing a fixed pitch propeller…
IMO Adopts Ban on Heavy Fuel Oil Use by Ships in Arctic
The United Nations shipping agency on Thursday adopted a ban on the use of heavy fuel oil in the Arctic region while green groups said the regulations contained loopholes which will allow many vessels to keep sailing without enough regulatory control.Antarctic waters are protected by stringent regulations, including a ban on heavy oil fuel (HFO) adopted in 2011, even though no cargo moves through the turbulent southern waters. For the Arctic, the rules have been looser.In a virtual…
SCHOTTEL Supplies Propulsion for New Expedition Cruise Ship
Following the delivery of the expedition cruise vessel Hondius in 2019, Oceanwide Expeditions ordered a second vessel from Croatian shipyard Brodosplit, due for delivery by the end of 2021.Hondius and the new sister vessel Janssonius are said to be the first vessels in the world to be built according to the LR PC6 class, which meets the latest Lloyd’s Register requirements for Polar Class 6 vessels.SCHOTTEL, which offers a series of ice-strengthened propulsion systems, said it has been selected again to supply highly reliable main and auxiliary propulsion units.
VT Halter Wins Historic $746m CG Contract
VT Halter Marine of Pascagoula, MS has emerged the victor in one of the most prized and coveted shipbuilding contracts in recent memory, a $746m deal to build the Coast Guard's lead Polar Security Cutter. If two additional ship options are exercised, the total deal could approach $2B.The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy, through an Integrated Program Office (IPO), awarded VT Halter Marine Inc., of Pascagoula, Mississippi, a fixed price incentive (firm) contract for the Detail Design and Construction (DD&C) of the Coast Guard’s lead Polar Security Cutter (PSC).
ABB to Equip Lindblad' New Icegoing Vessel
Swiss-Swedish tech giant ABB is to supply power, automation, propulsion and digital systems for the second icegoing cruise ship to be built for Lindblad Expeditions by Ulstein Verft shipyard.Destined to take exploration cruise guests sustainably and safely on voyages deep into remote polar regions, the Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. vessel will be built by the Norwegian yard Ulstein Verft to an Ulstein Design & Solutions design as a sister ship to National Geographic Endurance…
Wärtsilä to Design, Equip Arctic Vessel
Wärtsilä won the contract to design a multipurpose transport vessel that will operate in Antarctic waters. Wärtsilä will also provide the vessel with a comprehensive package of integrated propulsion and hybrid solutions to ensure highly efficient and environmentally sustainable operations. The ship has been ordered by Norway-based Aker BioMarine and will be constructed in China, at CIMC Raffles. The ship design order with Wärtsilä was booked in December 2018, while the order for the integrated solutions package was booked in March 2019.The 168 meters long…
Wärtsilä to Power Ponant's New Cruise Ship
Wärtsilä’s 31DF dual-fuel engine, which emphasizes outstanding efficiency, extremely economical fuel consumption and minimal emissions, has been selected to power a new polar ice-class luxury cruise vessel is being built for the France-based operator Ponant at Vard Søviknes, a part of VARD shipbuilding group in Norway.Because the 150-meter-long ship will operate in environmentally sensitive Arctic and Antarctic waters, it will operate primarily on LNG. Wärtsilä’s advanced technologies…
First RENK AED Drive Passes Sea Tests
Noted German gear-maker Renk reports that its new propulsion system Advanced Electric Drive (AED) was successful in its recent sea test onboard a 110-m megayacht built in the Netherlands. The megayacht was the first to feature the AED, a innovative propulsion system that is designed to be light, compact with a very low noise signature.The RENK AED was chosen when the owner eschewed traditional diesel units for the 3500-ton displacement vessel. Renk is long-experienced in the area of the electrification of propulsion systems…
Damen to Equip Chile's Antarctic Research Vessel
Damen Marine Components has won a contract to supply steering gear, rudders and stern tube parts for an Antarctic research vessel of the Chilean Navy, under LRS -Polar 5 Class notation. The contract was awarded by ASMAR Talcahuano Shipyard, Chile. Design of the vessel was done in collaboration with VARD Canada.Damen Marine Components will be supplying twin COMMANDER Ram-Type electro-hydraulic steering gear units, twin ATLANTIC semi-spade rudders and twin stern tube casting parts. The vessel will be capable of speeds up to 15 knots.
ABB’s Azipods Ordered for 100th Cruise Ship
Azipod propulsion, the ABB technology that has become the industry standard in the cruise segment since its launch in 1990, has secured its 100th cruise ship order, winning a contract for powering the world’s first electric hybrid icebreaker. The luxury polar expedition cruise ship, due delivery for the French cruise company PONANT in 2021, will feature two Azipod VI propulsion units fit for the most challenging ice conditions. Upon delivery from Norway’s Vard Søviknes, a Fincantieri Company, the cruise ship will take passengers to unexplored destinations in Arctic and Antarctic waters.
ABB Azipod Hits Mileston with PONANT
As ABB's Azipod propulsion technology approaches its 30 year anniversary, the company announced that a milestone was recently hit in the cruise sector as ABB won ts 100th cruise ship order, winning the contract for powering PONANT's world’s first electric hybrid icebreaker. The luxury polar expedition cruise ship, due delivery for the French cruise company PONANT in 2021, will feature two Azipod VI propulsion units fit for the most challenging ice conditions. Upon delivery from Norway’s Vard Søviknes…
GE Propulsion for Chilean Navy Icebreaker
GE’s Marine Solutions was chosen by ASMAR Shipyards to provide the complete scope of an integrated marine propulsion system for the Chilean Navy’s new Antarctic icebreaking Polar Class vessel. It will replace the retired icebreaker to continue the navy’s Antarctic expedition for search and rescue missions, scientific research, logistic support and resupplying bases in the Chilean Antarctic Territory. The 110-meter long vessel will have GE’s full marine propulsion system to power and propel the vessel…
Another Milestone for RRS Sir David Attenborough Build
Rolls-Royce is marking another milestone on the journey toward the completion of Britain’s new polar research vessel the RRS Sir David Attenborough being built by Merseyside shipyard Cammell Laird. The last of the vessel’s Bergen B33:45 engines/gensets have been craned into the ship’s hull at Cammell Laird ready to be connected to the RRS Sir David Attenborough’s Rolls-Royce propulsion system. The nine cylinder engines are carefully installed in three separate pieces. The first part of the nine cylinder engine to be craned into place was its double resilient foundation.