MS Europa, awarded a “5-stars-plus” distinction by the Berlitz Cruise Guide 2019, has undergone a significant modernization of its equipment, with ABB replacing the propulsion drives with the ABB Cycloconverter, as well as carried out an update of the propulsion system.
The project, carried out at the Hamburg shipyard Blohm+Voss in September/October 2017, was jointly managed by ABB Marine & Ports and Columbia Cruise Services GmbH & Co.
With this modernization, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises wanted to resolve the issue of equipment obsolescence, as well as ensure the extended propulsion drive and propulsion control system lifecycle. Leveraging ABB Ability™ Collaborative Operations, the vessel is now connected to ABB’s Collaborative Operations Center infrastructure, which monitors the performance of ABB technology on board and remotely connects operators with ABB experts.
MS Europa was originally delivered to the customer back in 1999 from Helsinki-based Kvaerner Masa-Yards. The initial scope of ABB’s solutions included two main switchboards, four main generators, two propulsion drives and a propulsion control system.