ABB press release
Due completion in 2025, the project is the first of its kind on a naval ship. Following the commissioning, Juan Carlos I will benefit from enhanced efficiency and maneuverability to support its varied and demanding naval operations.
The contract follows a study undertaken by ABB in 2020 to determine the feasibility of installing new propulsors on the ship. The study identified ABB Azipod as a solution to meet the vessel’s requirements for reliability, efficiency, maneuverability and safety.
“We are proud to see our Azipod® propulsion system chosen for this project. We already have a long track record with highly efficient solutions on the commercial market and now see that our technologies are becoming increasingly viable also for naval vessels.”
Sindre Satre, Business Line Manager, Coast Guard and Navy, ABB Marine & Ports
ABB’s scope of supply for Juan Carlos I comprises two Azipod® propulsors and medium-voltage drives, with support and maintenance available locally from the ABB service center in Spain and worldwide via ABB’s global service network.
While the order represents the first retrofit of an ABB Azipod propulsion system aboard a naval vessel, the solution has been maximizing ship performance in the naval patrol segment for several years. In 2019, the Norwegian Coast Guard icebreaker KV Svalbard became the first Azipod®-powered vessel to reach the North Pole, where the system’s maneuverability and icebreaking capabilities proved critical.
Across its 30-plus years in operation, Azipod propulsion has recorded an availability rate of 99.8 percent and has been shown to cut fuel consumption by up to 20 percent when compared with traditional shaftline propulsion systems. The solution’s high maneuverability eliminates the need for tugs in harbor operations and maximizes safety, while its pioneering design minimizes vibrations, saves space on board and facilitates maintenance as well as future refits.
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About Azipod electric propulsion
Azipod® propulsion is a gearless steerable propulsion system where the electric drive motor is housed within a pod outside the ship hull. Azipod® units can rotate 360 degrees, increasing maneuverability and operating efficiency of vessel, while cutting fuel consumption by up to 20 percent compared to conventional shaftline systems. From its creation three decades ago to its market leading position in global shipping today, Azipod® propulsion has revolutionized marine transport with its unparalleled performance, efficiency, sustainability and reliability.
