Wang Qian

The golden propeller outlined a beautiful arc in the air, and the dark gray machine gave a metal glow... On December 5-8, at the 21st China International Maritime Exhibition site, an Azipod pod propeller standing in the ABB Booth C attracted the attention of a large number of professional audiences.

“This is the 210th Azipod pod propeller manufactured by our local factory in China.” Yang Kui, head of ABB Marine ＆ Ports operations in China, proudly said that the latest generation of 2.5 MW Azipod pod propeller will be shipped to the shipyard after the end of the exhibition and will be directly installed onboard.

After 20 years of deep experience in the Chinese market, ABB's electric propulsion system solutions, including the Azipod pod propeller, have been widely recognized by domestic users.Looking back 20 years ago, this was also the beginning of ABB's Marine ＆Ports business in China.

A successful path to localization

In 2003, carrying the ABB electric propulsion system and Azipod pod propeller, the Yantai-Dalian railway ferry “China Railway Bohai 1”, assumed the mission of connecting Shandong and Liaoning peninsulas on Bohai Bay along Asia's first railway ferry route with over 100km sea transport, and opened the first chapter of ABB Marine ＆ Ports business in China.

“Since then, ABB Marine ＆Ports business has officially entered the Chinese market by taking the opportunity of China's first-generation electric propulsion ship need.”Yang Kui, who joined ABB in 2003,participated in and witnessed every step of ABB Marine ＆ Ports business development in China.

In 2003, ABB Shanghai office was established; in 2011, Shanghai Azipod pod propeller factory was completed; in 2017, Shanghai Joint Operation Center was set up... For 20 years, ABB has been committed to provide solutions based on ship power propulsion system to Chinese shipbuilding industry customers. From understanding the Chinese market, to entering the market,and then to deepening the market, ABB has found a successful road to Chinese localization of equipment.

“We have grown from a team of less than 10 people after 20 years of deep cultivation to a team of about 200 people, serving full-time for customers in China's shipbuilding industry.”Yang Kui said that although it is a foreign enterprise, but ABB Marine ＆Ports Division has since the beginning of its establishment complied with the objective of “in China” and “for China”, made use of domestic and foreign technology and expert advantages to serve the customers of China's shipbuilding industry. “It is precisely because of this original aspiration that we have made every effort in each project in a steady and sure fashion, and won an extensive customer base and recognition,” he added.

As ABB's second largest market in the world, ABB attaches great importance to China, which is selfevident. In the past 20 years in the Chinese market, ABB has given play to its own technological advantages to help customers achieve sustainable development, with the annual order amount in 2022 exceeding 200 million US dollars.

Assist in carbon reduction

Stay true to the original intention of tech development

“ In the context of decarbonization of the global shipping industry, three keywords may describe the technical direction of the future shipbuilding and marine engineering equipment industry -- electrification,digitalization and automation.” Yang Kui said in building future-oriented energy-efficient ships, electrification is the cornerstone, and then use digital and automation technologies on the basis of electrification to further improve the energy efficiency of ships and reduce emissions.

Atpresent, interms of electrification, ABB integrated power propulsion system has become a solution widely recognized by the market and used in a large number of different ships. By November 2023,ABB has provided electrification solutions for 523 ships, including marine engineering vessels, salvage ships, research ships, icebreakers and various types of merchant ships.

Asa “starproduct” of electrification, the Azipod propulsion system has created a series of unprecedented records in the shipping industry. As the motor is placed in the pod outside the hull, the system can turn fully at 360 degrees, greatly improving the mobility of the ship.Because of their small inner diameter,even large ships are able to arrive at port and dock. More importantly,compared with the conventional shafting devices,the Azipod propulsion system further improves ship operational efficiency, enhances hydrodynamic performance, and saves up to 20% in fuel consumption.According to independent research in 2019, the system could save ferry owners as much as $1.7 million a year in fuel costs and reduce about 10,000 tons of carbon emissions per ship.

On the basis of the electric propulsion system, ABB has launched a series of digital and automated solutions.For example, the ABB Ability ship pilot and control system can collect data and information from ship operation through sensors to provide operational guidance and realize remote control. In addition,there is an ABB Ability octopus remote control system, which can provide a strong guarantee for the safe and efficient operation of ships.

“In particular, the revolutionary ABB Dynafin cycloidal propeller we launched this year uses a bionic design that mimics the whale tail swing for ship propulsion,” Yang Kui said. The new propulsion concept propeller completely defies the traditional propeller design,using a main motor to drive the rotary wheel, rotating at a moderate speed of 30 to 80 rpm. Each vertical blade extending from the wheel is controlled by an independent motor and control system, and the combined movement of the wheel and the blade synchronously generates propulsion and steering force, achieving breakthrough operation efficiency and precision.

“The Dyna fincy cloidalpropeller can further improve fuel efficiency on the basis of the original electric propulsion, further meeting the decarbonization and emission reduction requirements of the shipping industry. Its launch shows ABB's relentless exploration and efforts in power propulsion,” Yang said. “The source of impetus for ABB's development in the Chinese market is innovation, and continuous innovation is rooted in its genes.Only by continuous innovation, can we follow the development trend, grasp the trend and even lead the trend.”

As the shipping industry moves toward decarbonization and even zero carbon, ABB's long-term responsibility and vision are fully adapted to this trend. “ABB has been actively involved in Marintec China since its first session. Exhibition is not only a platform for us to show our advanced technology and services, but also an important opportunity to communicate with customers in China and even the world.” Yang Kui hoped to meet old friends and make acquintance with new friends through this exhibition, seek more cooperation, and look forward to the future together.