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ABB unveils revolutionary propulsion concept to significantly increase ship efficiency
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Products & services Products & services
- Published: 31 May 2023 31 May 2023
ABB today introduced ABB Dynafin, a new concept representing a revolutionary propulsion system breaking new ground for efficiency in the marine industry. Inspired by the dynamic motions of a whale’s tail, the innovative concept is the result of over a decade of research, development, and testing. ABB’s combined extensive experience and expertise in the marine industry, along with its innovative heritage, are the driving forces behind this new concept. ABB estimates the first prototype to be available in 2025.
“ABB Dynafin shows what is possible when marine engineers pursue radical innovation and progress, inspired by the interplay of evolution and technology,” said Juha Koskela, Division President, ABB Marine & Ports. “This solution is all about operational efficiency and emissions avoidance, leveraging innovations from the brightest minds in marine and propulsion engineering. I want to thank the whole team for their persistence, resilience, innovativeness, and years of hard work.”
The new propulsion concept features a main electric motor that powers a large wheel rotating at a moderate 30-80 rounds per minute. Vertical blades, each controlled by an individual motor and control system, extend from the wheel. The combined motion of the wheel and blades generates propulsion and steering forces simultaneously, enabling ground-breaking operational efficiency and precision for ships. The concept follows ABB’s proven design philosophy in marine propulsion of gearless power transmission.
An independent study of ABB Dynafin from OSK-ShipTech A/S of a passenger vessel design equipped with different propulsion solutions has verified savings in propulsion energy consumption of up to 22 percent compared to conventional shaftline configuration. This can deliver significant savings in fuel consumption and help to avoid emissions. As part of an electric propulsion power system, the concept is also fully compatible with zero-emission battery and fuel cell technologies.
Initially available in the power range of 1–4 MW per unit, the new propulsion concept is particularly effective for medium-sized and smaller vessels, including ferries for passengers and vehicles, offshore support vessels operating at wind farms, and yachts. By reducing vibrations and noise levels, the system improves passenger and crew comfort. In addition, the propulsion concept delivers superior maneuverability, and positioning performance, i.e., the capacity of the vessel to maintain the desired position and heading.
The new concept is the latest addition to ABB’s portfolio comprising electric, automated and digital technologies. With its market-leading expertise in electric and hybrid propulsion, the company has been pushing the boundaries of technology, and driving efficiency, performance, and sustainability to new levels through the 30-year plus track record of Azipod® propulsion. The new propulsion concept will complement the existing propulsion portfolio.
The shipping industry contributes to almost 3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions annually. If it were a country, it would be the sixth largest emitter. However, with about 90 percent of global trade being carried on ships, it is central for the movement of goods. If no action is taken, shipping could be responsible for up to 13 percent of global emissions by 2050. At the same time, the International Maritime Organization has set the goal to cut annual greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent by 2050, against 2008 levels. While there is consensus in the industry that no single solution can provide a ‘silver bullet’, low-carbon fuels, alternative power sources, data analytics and energy-saving devices all have a part to play, and the role of new innovations may become notable.
Metalcolour celebrates 50 years
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Products & services Products & services
- Published: 30 May 2023 30 May 2023
Metalcolour celebrates 50 years since building its first coil coating line in 1973. The global coil coating group has production units in Sweden, Denmark and Singapore which are providing high quality film laminated and pre-painted steel and aluminum.
Right from the start Metalcolour saw a great need to renew and improve the coil coating business and has over the years developed solutions now considered best practice and standard including fire classified film laminated steel, heat applied protective foil, close tolerances in gloss control and special technical coatings.
The company’s first steps took place in Denmark in 1973 by installing one of the first Gasway coil coating lines in Europe. Since then several other companies have been incorporated into the Metalcolour Group including SSAB Laminated Steel in 2009 and DAMPA, experts in acoustic metal ceilings, in 2012.
“It has been an exciting journey and I am proud to be a part of it since more than 30 years. In all these years we have maintained our core values: High quality, innovation, and flexibility. With strong products we have developed and will continue to grow. The key to the success is our committed and skilled staff”, says Ingemar Forsberg, CEO of Metalcolour in both Sweden and Denmark since 2010.
Delivering to the world’s largest cruise ships
A main focus is coated and laminated metal for the interior of cruise ships and other areas of supply include trains, elevators, and doors. Ingemar Forsberg explains: “Some of the biggest cruise ships being built at the major North European shipyards have a length of more than 350 meters and carry up to 7,600 passengers. Metalcolour has delivered 350,000 square meters of Dobel products used for wall panels, ceilings, doors, and wet units for each of these majestic ships. A surface that corresponds to 50 soccer fields”.
The production units in each country are specialized. Denmark is the heart of the production of the pre-painted metal. Most products within technical coating are delivered to automotive sub-contractors all over the world whereas the decorative pre-painted metal is mainly delivered to building and industrial product manufacturers in Northern Europe. Sweden and Singapore specialize in film laminated steel and aluminum for the global marine and building industry.
“Finding new applications with high demands of our key values will be the way forward for both technical and decorative coating. We will continue to do all we can to keep both existing and new customers happy with their cooperation with Metalcolour. The 50-year long journey will continue”, says Ingemar Forsberg.
Eni and RINA sign partnership to accelerate the energy transition and decarbonisation of maritime transport
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Products & services Products & services
- Published: 29 May 2023 29 May 2023
RINA, an international company specialising in inspection, certification and engineering consultancy, and Eni have signed an agreement to jointly develop initiatives that can contribute to the energy transition and decarbonisation of their respective operations and particularly maritime transport, where RINA and Eni can benefit from each other's expertise.
Specifically, the agreement focuses on the use of HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil) biofuel produced by Eni in its Venice and Gela bio-refineries, as well as of other energy carriers such as “blue” or “green” hydrogen and ammonia from biogenic, renewable or waste raw materials not competing with the food chain, in the naval sector. Moreover, the partnership encompasses the development of initiatives for the logistics and value chain of new energy carriers, and the adoption of certified methods for the "taxonometric" calculation of the emissions benefits they will generate.
Eni and RINA will also consider carrying out experiments and pilot projects related to the on-board capture of CO2 emissions in order to further contribute to pursuing the naval sector's sustainability goals.
Ugo Salerno, Chairman and CEO of RINA, said: "Cooperation between companies is the way forward towards the common goal of decarbonising industry and transport. By sharing know-how and experience with Eni, we will contribute to developing innovative energy supply models. Our collaboration will begin by focusing on the maritime sector, a diversified and hard-to-abate industry that can draw on initiatives already adopted by other industrial segments to decarbonise operations."
Giuseppe Ricci, Chief Operating Officer for Energy Evolution at Eni, said: "Eni and RINA can make a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of maritime transport with their wealth of expertise and technological capabilities. Following a technology-agnostic approach, we are exploring multiple solutions. Thanks to this agreement, we will have the opportunity to study and develop them in the short, medium and long term, with the objective of making maritime transport more sustainable and meeting the needs of shipowners and logistics operators."
Corsica Ferries to seek optimal sustainability with Wärtsilä’s Decarbonisation Modelling service
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Products & services Products & services
- Published: 27 May 2023 27 May 2023
Technology group Wärtsilä will carry out Decarbonisation Modelling on two vessels in the Corsica Ferries fleet. The study will create a digital model of the two ships to simulate the effect of various decarbonisation technologies on their environmental compliance. This will enable accurate evaluation of the efficiency gains possible through the implementation of the latest technical innovations. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in March 2023.
The Mega Express and Mega Express II are 176 metre-long sister vessels. Both operate with Wärtsilä engines and propellers. Propeller re-blading and hybridisation will be among the technologies to be evaluated during the modelling, as will Wärtsilä’s Energoprofin energy saving propeller cap solution, and the company’s fuel consumption reducing Air Lubrication system.
“It is a huge benefit to be able to simulate in advance how various products, solutions, and systems will impact efficiency. This will help us in our efforts to decarbonise fleet operations and meet our sustainability goals. We respect Wärtsilä’s experience and capabilities, and are pleased to continue the good relationship between our companies with this modelling programme,” says Nicolò Verrina, Energy Transition Naval Architect & Ocean Engineer, Corsica Ferries.
“The IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) legislation is driving the industry’s move towards greater efficiencies and reduced CO2 emissions,” says Giulio Pacini, Manager Decarbonisation Services, Project Services at Wärtsilä. “Wärtsilä’s Decarbonisation Services provide the means by which companies can attain a detailed understanding of the best way forward before making hit-or-miss decisions on product purchases.”
Wärtsilä’s Fleet Decarbonisation Service is designed to tackle the challenge of environmental regulatory compliance. By combining data-driven assessments with expert advice and recommendations, the service enables operators to decide on the optimal route to decarbonised operations with cost-effective investments. The service is in line with Wärtsilä’s lifecycle support strategy, and enhances the company’s position as a trustworthy partner to its customers.
ALMACO outlines its subcontracting to Swan Hellenic new builds
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Products & services Products & services
- Published: 21 May 2023 21 May 2023
All three ships of the Vega series, SH Minerva, SH Vega and SH Diana have been completed and delivered to Swan Hellenic. ALMACO was in charge of all guest and crew cabins as well as crew public areas. The work was performed at the Helsinki Shipyard in Finland.
In mid-April 2023, the expedition and boutique ship SH Diana boarded its first guests in Palermo. The suites delivered by ALMACO were completed during the transfer voyage from Helsinki to Palermo, and all cabins were done before guests embarked the vessel in Palermo in mid-April. The vessel has already completed two cruises and had its official christening in Amsterdam on May 4th.
ALMACO was tasked with designing, procurement, and construction of all of the ships’ passenger cabins, crew cabins, and crew public areas. The construction took place at Helsinki Shipyard, a valued client of ALMACO.
“It has been great to work with Helsinki Shipyard and Swan Hellenic on this project”, says Esko Ryyppö, Project Manager in charge of the Vega series project at ALMACO. He continues, “The project got off to a good start already in April 2020 with SH Minerva and continued with SH Vega and now SH Diana. We were expecting challenges due to the unstable market situation and took extra precautions to ensure the project was a success. Thanks to the great co-operation with Helsinki Shipyard and Swan Hellenic we were able to deliver all three projects successfully.”
The latest ship, SH Diana, is slightly larger than its sister vessels and offers their guests 96 cabins including 11 suites. The cabin types are Oceanview 20 m2, Balcony 28 m2, Junior Suite 35 m2, Suite 44 m2, and Premium Suite 47 m2. Suite or not, the cabins all offer top-class luxury standard and have all the amenities any guest could dream of. The well-planned cabins are spacious with large bathrooms and they allow comfortable in-room dining with a spectacular view. The interiors onboard have an elegant ‘Scandi-luxe’ Chic design. With 141 crew members and 209 guests, the number of crew cabins was almost as big as the number of guest cabins in this project. SH Minerva, SH Vega and SH Diana all offer their crew members beautiful surroundings and comfortable spacious cabins. Crew wellbeing and high retention are important for Swan Hellenic and they know the motto “happy crew, happy guests” to be true.
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