ABB Powering Polar Cruise Ships

ABB will supply the complete power, propulsion and automation packages for a series of new cruise vessels being built by MV Werften for Genting Hong Kong brands Crystal Cruises and Star Cruises.

The three Crystal Cruises’ luxury “Endeavor Class” mega-yachts will be Polar Class 6 and able to cruise in the Arctic and 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 vessels are specially designed for the Asian cruise market.

The five vessels will incorporate 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 include ABB´s flagship automation with Intelligent Maneuvering Interface and OCTOPUS marine software for optimized energy management,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, executive chairman of the Genting Group. “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.”

“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,” said Jarmo Laakso, managing director of MV Werften. “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, ABB 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,” said Marcus Högblom, vice president of Global Sales, Passenger Vessels and Azipod Propulsion.

Delivery of the five vessels is scheduled to start in 2019.