ABB awarded multiple marine contracts

announced yesterday that it has signed contracts worth $80 million to supply propulsion and electrical power plant systems for ten new marine vessels from several leading shipbuilders and ship owners.

“We are delighted by the confidence of these customers, and encouraged by the level of marine activity in both Europe and Asia,” said Dinesh Paliwal, head of ABB’s Automation Technologies division and group operations in North America.

A new cruise vessel for Norwegian Cruise Line will be built at Meyer Werft shipyards of Papenburg, Germany. The ABB contract scope includes two Azipod propulsion systems rated at 19.5 MW each, generators for the main power plant and medium-voltage distribution system, plus an integrated alarm, monitoring and control system. The vessel, rated at 93,000 gross tons and with a passenger capacity of 2,376 lower berths, is scheduled for delivery in early 2007.

Samsung Heavy Industries has awarded ABB a contract to supply complete electrical propulsion systems for six 153,000 m3 Liquefied Natural Gas carriers. Four vessels will be owned by AP Möller, and two by K-Line. All will be built in South Korea, with deliveries from late 2007 to late 2008.

Ulstein Verft in Norway has awarded ABB a contract to supply electrical propulsion systems for two offshore support vessels being built for Group Bourbon and Island Offshore for delivery in late 2005 and spring 2006.

Aker Langsten in Norway has awarded ABB a contract to supply an electrical propulsion system for one offshore support vessel being built for Simon Møkster Shipping for delivery in late 2005.

Since the launch of the first modular Azipod system in 1990, a total of 143 units ranging in power up to 20 MW have been ordered.