Recently specified by Oceanco (a privately owned custom yacht builder) for a superyacht it is constructing, are a pair of ABB’s 2.5MW Azipod units, together with propulsion drives and controls.

The Azipod system is recognised for its ‘superior fuel efficiency and maneuverability over conventional setups across a broad variety of vessel types from cruise ships to tankers and ferries’.

Moreover, ABB says the scalability of Azipod propulsion means that it is equally well-suited to the superyacht sector, a market where owners also place ‘special value on the highest comfort standards brought by lower noise and vibrations’.

Azipod technology is based on a steerable propulsion system with an electric drive that is contained in a submerged pod outside the ship’s hull and capable of rotating through 360deg. Moreover, it has been shown to be capable of cutting fuel consumption by up to 20% compared to traditional ‘shaftline’ propulsion systems.

Thomas Hackman, market development manager (superyachts) at ABB Marine & Ports, said: “We are very pleased to have closed this first deal with Oceanco, and we look forward to collaborating in the future. Our two companies share an ethos of sustainable business development that provides a strong foundation for our relationship.”

Both companies have recently underlined their commitment to sustainable development and ‘ambitious targets that will also help decarbonise the marine sector’.

As part of its ‘Sustainability strategy 2030’ launched in November 2020, ABB aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its own operations and will support its customers in reducing their annual CO₂ emissions.