Sustainable shipping

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Making a world of difference in the marine industry

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Electric, digital and connected solutions for sustainable shipping

Global pressures of climate change, emerging-market economic development and growing urbanization demand new and more environmentally sustainable ways to move people and goods. ABB has become one of the world’s leading enablers of sustainable transportation for all modes, including marine vessels.

ABB’s role as a front runner in sustainable transportation is to equip the marine industry with electric, digital and connected solutions that maximize the full potential of vessels and ultimately enable a safe, efficient and sustainable maritime industry.

As part of the company’s pioneering role in electric transportation, ABB has provided electric systems on board vessels for more than 110 years. Today, well over 1,300 ships employ ABB’s electric system. Modern ships are being built on the foundation of electricity, which expands their range of viable energy sources beyond traditional fuel to, for instance, batteries and fuel cells.

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Highlights

Group web story

ABB leads with technology for greener shipping on World Maritime Day

With its comprehensive offering of integrated systems and technologies, ABB is helping the marine industry become more sustainable

Web story

ABB Ability™ OCTOPUS widens operating window for wind farm development

Offshore wind turbines have become larger and are operating in deeper waters than ever before. They are also continuously exposed to extreme weather and erosion. Innovative planning software can increase vessel operation uptime when deploying robots and service engineers.

Press release

ABB to power world’s first hybrid-electric biomass fuel carriers

ABB’s power distribution technology selected by IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd. for hybrid-electric propulsion vessel called ROBOSHIP
Press release

Making sea traffic more sustainable: ABB technology to power new hybrid-electric ferries

ABB will supply complete power, automation and propulsion solutions for three hybrid-electric passenger and car ferries to operate in the Baltic Sea.
Group press release

ABB and Ballard reach milestone toward fuel cell-powered marine transport

ABB and Ballard Power Systems (Ballard) join forces in an industry-first partnership to develop high-power fuel cell concept capable of generating 3 megawatts (4,000 HP) of electrical power. Approval in Principle (AiP) received from leading classification society DNV.
Press release

ABB wins systems order for Eneti’s next-generation offshore wind turbine installation vessels

ABB secures order of around $27 million to supply Eneti’s two newbuild vessels with advanced power, automation and control systems for improved safety and performance

Press release

ABB to become technology partner for world’s first methanol-hydrogen fuel cell towboat

ABB and industry partners to develop Hydrogen One, an ultra-low emission long-range towboat able to run for multiple days between fueling
Press release

ABB’s Eero Lehtovaara appointed Chair of EU association Waterborne Technology Platform

ABB Marine & Ports’ Head of Regulatory and Public Affairs, Eero Lehtovaara, has been elected Chair of the Board for major EU research and development forum Waterborne Technology Platform (Waterborne TP) during the association’s general assembly on September 15, 2021.

Press release

ABB containerized energy storage offers plug-in battery power for a wide range of ships

ABB has responded to rapidly rising demand for low and zero emissions from ships by developing Containerized ESS – a complete, plug-in solution to install sustainable marine energy storage at scale, housed in a 20ft high-cube ISO container.

Press release

ABB to fit Tallink Megastar ferry with shore connection for emission-free port stays

ABB’s comprehensive shore connection solution will allow Tallink shuttle vessel Megastar to plug into the local grid for quiet and emission-free overnight layovers in the Port of Tallinn.

Group press release

Azipod® propulsion marks 300th vessel milestone with eco-friendly Orange Marine cable ship contract

Integrated ABB power and propulsion package win from Colombo Dockyard brings milestone Azipod® installation for advanced cable-laying and repair vessel that will support offshore wind farms.

Press release

ABB to power first fully electric U.S. tugboat for maximum efficiency and zero-emission operations

ABB will deliver an integrated electric propulsion system and advanced vessel control technology for Crowley’s pioneering eWolf tug, built for sustainable and safe operations at the Port of San Diego.

ABB Decoded podcast: Technologies for greener shipping

In the latest ABB Decoded podcast, Eero Lehtovaara, Head of Regulatory and Public Affairs, ABB Marine & Ports, discusses technologies for greener shipping, this year's theme of the World Maritime Day on September 29. The theme provides an opportunity to focus on the importance of a sustainable maritime sector and engage in a global dialogue on the topic.

With more than 80 percent of all goods worldwide being transported via ships, and the number expected to significantly increase over the next few years, the imperative of the maritime transport sector to support global sustainability is clear. The marine industry has set ambitious sustainability and carbon neutrality targets in response to the global climate challenge. A key part of ABB’s 2030 sustainability strategy is to support customers and suppliers to reduce their emissions and achieve carbon neutrality in ABB’s own operations by 2030.


Read about the key take away from the episode here. 		     

Onboard DC Grid™: Building the next generation power systems
Three decades of ABB's revolutionary Azipod propulsion system
ABB takes Maid of the Mist to zero-emissions future

Featured Generations articles

Up to the challenge of the open ocean

Zero-emission vessel ushers in a new era of sustainable ferry transport for Iceland

Paving the way to zero-emission cruising

Ambitious Norwegian cruise company Northern Xplorer (NX) aims to make a splash with sustainable cruising for thinking travellers, using eco-friendly ships powered by batteries and hydrogen fuel cells.

Breathing new life into an old favorite

Everyone likes to see the old familiar vessels, but without the noise and the smoke from diesel engines. Lake Maggiore in Italy is one of the most famous and picturesque in the world, and the San Cristoforo ferry has been a highly visible and much loved local fixture for decades.

Fuel cells in commercial marine applications

Experience gained from small-scale installations can be utilized in larger ships, as development and demonstration of megawatt-scale fuel cell solutions is already in progress. 

Safer, more efficient ship performance with OCTOPUS

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.

Business insight

Like minds sparkle on San Diego Bay – at the forefront of tug electrification

With delivery of the first all-electric U.S. tugboat – Crowley’s eWolf – in 2023, the Port of San Diego will realize their vision of a zero-emission workboat, ensuring cleaner air from day one of operations, and taking an important step toward a sustainable future for port residents.

Business insight

The man from ATLANTIS: driving the offshore wind power transformation

Dr. Andry Maykol Pinto is on a mission to make offshore wind power truly sustainable. He is the Project Coordinator for the EU funded ATLANTIS initiative, which is testing technology with the ability to transform wind farm operation and maintenance

Business insight

Smart port, smart nation: Singapore builds on spectrum of strengths

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.

Business insight

On course to a sustainable future: diversity and flexibility as keys to success

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.

Business insight

Technology, environment and people: Q&A with Captain Kate McCue

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.

Business insight

The green shift in yachting – engaging at a new level

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.

Business insight

Committing to a sustainable maritime future

The transition to a sustainable economy is one of the major undertakings in human history. Industrial technology companies have a critical role to play in this historic effort, applying the brightest minds to develop technologies and deliver solutions that will enable the global green shift.

Business insight

Azipod® propulsion enables key Arctic climate research expedition

Proving that a vessel of modest power and proportions could navigate the extremes of the Earth, the Norwegian Coast Guard’s KV Svalbard carried an international team of climate researchers to the North Pole in August of 2019, aided by the operational capabilities of ABB Azipod® propulsion.

More insight on Sustainable Shipping

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