Icegoing vessels

Operating safely and responsibly in the toughest ice conditions on the planet requires the toughest technology. Harsh environments, regulatory requirements, and lack of infrastructure are key challenges in building icebreaking vessels for operations in Polar waters – not only research vessels, but also expedition ships, cargo ships, tankers, and LNG carriers. System redundancy and equipment reliability are critical for the safety of both vessel and crew. Podded propulsion solutions have been developed to meet these stringent requirements offering effective, clean, and quiet operations together with superior maneuverability and reliability.

ABB has secured a comprehensive propulsion system contract with Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyard for the first of the Canadian Coast Guard’s new-generation polar icebreakers

ABB has won an order from Astilleros y Servicios Navales S.A. (ASENAV) shipyard in Chile to supply power and propulsion system for Antarctica21’s newbuild polar expedition cruise ship

ABB has won an order to deliver compact Azipod® DI propulsion system to the new polar research icebreaker of Chinese Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering

Icebreakers have been sailing for some 120 years. At first only slightly more powerful than ordinary commercial vessels, in the early years icebreaker propulsion systems consisted of steam engines connected to a propeller. Marine diesel engines later began to replace steam engines in tandem with advances in electric equipment technology.

Le Commandant Charcot makes history with ABB’s Azipod® propulsion as the first exploration cruise vessel to reach the North Pole. The vessel is built with respect to environment and features the largest energy storage system ever installed on a cruise ship for maximum sustainability.

ABB has conducted a study to show how an energy storage system could help improve the overall power efficiency of icebreakers, saving fuel and reducing emissions.

China’s interest in the polar regions is growing, as are the objectives for advancing the domestic shipbuilding industry. The first icebreaker built entirely in China, the Xue Long 2 research vessel, will go a long way toward serving both these interests.

Finland has for decades been a leader in icebreaker technology, consistently designing and building ships that break not only ice, but performance barriers. Now they have delivered a ship that sets the bar even higher for performance and efficiency, while adding yet another innovation: Polaris is the world’s first LNG-powered icebreaker.

Where winters are harshest, the toughest technology is required for marine operations to continue uninterrupted during the frozen months. For 30 years, Azipod® propulsion has proven to be up to the task, keeping harbors open and moving goods and people through the most challenging sea ice conditions on the planet.

Major advances in icebreaker technology over the last 25 years come together in the ‘Universal Polar Icebreaker’, a concept that goes a major step beyond what traditional designs can achieve while using thoroughly proven marine systems technology, including propulsion.