Sovcomflot is a world leader in the transport of energy in harsh climates, not only by volume, but in their proven record for safe and energy-efficient Arctic operations. Sovcomflot CEO Igor Tonkovidov tells how the company’s investments in sustainability  reflect their commitment to drive environmentally conscious shipping on a global scale.

Ponant is known for providing their passengers with the highest standard of onboard comfort and luxury in the expedition cruise industry. With the delivery of Le Commandant Charcot polar explorer in 2021, they also have one of the safest and cleanest ships on the water.

The superyacht industry is being transformed by a new generation of owners as concerned with sustainability as they are with luxury. This shift in priorities is reflected in superyacht pioneers opting for advanced sustainable technologies that are powering increased decarbonization in the broader marine market.

The first American female to captain a mega cruise ship, Kate McCue of Celebrity Cruises shares her perspectives on commanding a high-tech vessel, looking after her passengers, and protecting the oceans they sail on.

Sustainable food is essential for the future of our planet, and major food wholesaler ASKO is examining every link in their supply chain to further strengthen the environmental credentials of their operations. Renewable energy, autonomous warehouse vehicles and highly automated zero-emission ships all figure into the mix.

ABB Marine & Ports gathered maritime industry leaders to discuss how shipping is to reach decarbonization targets. Focus turned to diversity rather than uniformity of solutions, and flexibility in vessel design to ensure adaptability as suitable solutions emerge.

Leading maritime industry voices taking part in ABB Marine & Ports roundtable confirm that insight gained from experience is allowing the industry to take increasingly smarter steps along the way to autonomy, aided by rapidly evolving digital technologies.

Singapore often serves as the benchmark for other maritime nations, consistently applying innovative and effective measures to keep their port and shipping activities at the forefront of global maritime development. And on this island city-state, as the port goes, so goes the nation.

From its creation three decades ago to its market leading position in global shipping today, Azipod® propulsion has revolutionized marine transport with its unparalleled performance, efficiency, sustainability and reliability.

Today, as the ocean energy industry shifts to sustainable mode, demand for Azipod® propulsion offshore continues, driven by performance from 360-degree rotating podded propulsors, high reliability and reduced fuel consumption, and future-proof capabilities.

Demand for Azipod® propulsion continues to grow in the global ferry industry, building on success from early installations and inspired by commitments from shipowners dedicated to moving passengers and vehicles in the greenest possible way on the water.

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.

While speed and swank ranked high on the list of priorities for previous generations of superyacht owners, the most requested features today relate to sustainability and efficiency, silent operations, and increased reliability. 

Since the first installation on a cruise ship 25 years ago, Azipod® technology has saved approximately one million tons of fuel in the cruise segment alone.

Embarking on a new chapter in Azipod® propulsion history, in 2019 ABB entered a new market segment with an order to install Azipod® electric propulsion on two dry bulk carriers from Germany’s largest bulk carrier company, Oldendorff Carriers.

Across the shipping industry, electric power systems incorporating batteries and energy storage systems, fuel cells and other sources of shipboard energy and ship-shore energy integration, are set to transform ship design and operation in the years ahead.

Automated docking saves time, money, fuel and emissions. The ABB Ability™ Marine Pilot product family is key to unlocking benefits, enabling enhanced efficiency, safety and optimal operations – every time.

The predictive power behind ABB Ability™ OCTOPUS – Marine Advisory System to monitor and forecast vessel motions is now so evolved that it is tackling some of the most profound safety and efficiency challenges in shipping.

Since 2007, traffic volumes in the arctic seas have increased substantially, especially in the North-East Passage following the development of major oil and gas projects. In development of icebreaking liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers, the selection of propulsion system plays a major role determining vessel performance, safety and icebreaking capability.

Fossil-free propulsion of small ferries is an important technology for the future. Over the last couple of years we have seen many different implementations utilizing electric drive trains, some of which are summarized in the “Review on electric ferries and charging technologies”

While self-driving cars are currently a hot topic, fewer people know that the same level of automation is being developed in the maritime industry. To enhance safety on board and ensure the optimal utilization of crew members, automated assistant solutions are being implemented on cargo ships and vessels.

Today’s vessels rely heavily on satellite-based navigation systems for safe operations. These systems, however, are vulnerable to interference, jamming and spoofing. There is another solution: providing absolute positioning of the vessel based on marine radar scans.

Recently, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) have emerged as the preferred solution in transportation applications, and there are already several marine projects with PEMFC under development.

In the work presented here, we have attempted to improve the flow channel configuration of the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC).