Azipod® electric propulsion

• Azipod®  propulsion is a gearless steerable propulsion system where the electric drive motor is in a submerged pod outside the ship hull.
• In Azipod® propulsion system the propeller is fixed pitch type where the propeller speed is controlled.
• A ship with Azipod® propulsion does not need rudders, long shaftlines or stern transversal thrusters.

 Highlights: 

• Azipod® propulsion has been selected for more than 25 ship types and has more than 16 million operating hours. 
• ABB has delivered electric propulsion systems to over 80 ice-breaker or ice-going vessels with a propulsion power of up to 45 MW. 
• Azipod® propulsion system has been ordered for more than 125 cruise vessels.
• Azipod® systems have accumulated saving over 900,000 tons of fuel and is helping to reduce the maritime carbon dioxide footprint. 

   
Azipod® is a registered trademark of ABB.

Azipod® propulsion provides:

• Improved safety and redundancy
• Improved fuel efficiency and reduced life cycle cost
• Enables the use of multiple energy sources
• Most environmental friendly propulsion system
• Remarkably improved comfort onboard
• Easier general arrangement and more payload
• Straightforward and fast installation
• Shipbuilding process and investment advantages
• In heavy ice condition Azipod® propulsion brings with it unbeatable characteristics in ice operation
• Azipod® thruster is of very simple construction and with a nozzle provides high thrust performance
• Electric propulsion technology provides a native digital platform
• Azipod® propulsion technology can be completed with global 24/7 service network

 

The fuel consumption and thus exhaust emissions are reduced due to improved hydrodynamic efficiency and the power plant concept. Improved hydrodynamic efficiency is a result of reduced hull resistance when traditional shatfline and related brackets can be eliminated and optimum hull design can be utilized. Pulling type propeller is also working in an optimum environment with highest efficiency.

According to the experience from the first cruise vessels with Azipod® propulsion the Carnival Elation, savings up to 40 tons of fuel per week were achieved when compared to her sister vessels with conventional electric shaftline propulsion. A typical value of 10% can be used when estimating the fuel efficiency benefit of a cruise ship with Azipod® propulsion compared to a shaft line concept.

An independent study by marine consultancy Deltamarin revealed that the ABB Azipod® electric propulsion system for ferries could save up to $1.7 million in annual fuel costs per vessel, strengthening Azipod® propulsion’s market-leading position in sustainable marine technologies. By simulating a transit on seven existing ferry routes, researchers found that a ferry equipped with twin 10 MW mid-power range Azipod® units consumed less fuel compared to a similar vessel powered by a traditional shaftline propulsion system. Lower fuel consumption also means that the Azipod®-powered ferry would reduce CO₂ emissions – by approximately 10,000 tons per year. This is equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by about 2,200 passenger cars annually.

The power plant concept provides fuel savings by optimizing the loading of the diesel engines. The power management system connects or disconnects diesel generator sets to the network depending on the vessel power requirement, reducing both inefficient low load operation and running hours of the engines.

One of the main sources of vibration is the propeller. The Azipod® unit propeller is a pulling propeller which operates in a better wake field and thus induces lower pressure pulses to the hull. The Azipod® propulsion concept also eliminates the stern thrusters, external shaft supports and rudders. As a result lower vibration and noise levels can be reached onboard the ship which improves passenger comfort.

Since its launch in 1990, Azipod® electric propulsion has become the industry standard for a wide range of vessel segments ranging from smaller crafts to icebreakers capable of independently operating in the harshest conditions.

Offshore segment e.g. drilling rigs, offshore supply vessels, accommodation vessels and pipe layers apply Azipod propulsion technology as an ideal solution due to excellent dynamic position characteristics, reliability and safety aspects.

Dry cargo vessel benefit from Azipod propulsion in operations where vessel must perform reliably over an extended period at maximum efficiency, and need to be especially maneuverable in shallow waters.

For advanced icebreaking tankers and other icebreaking ships the main reason for the Azipod propulsion selection has been the unbeatable ice going characteristics and the efficiency. Azipod propulsion elevates icebreaking capability and performance to a complete new level. It enables independent ice operation in the harshest environmental conditions with predictable operating schedule, while still minimizing the need of icebreaker assistance. Azipod enables DAS concept, providing up to 50% less installed power and lower fuel consumption ensures economically efficient operation throughout vessels lifetime. 

Azipod propulsion is the most significant example of innovations in passenger segment. Azipod propulsion has become an industry standard in the cruise segment, with the proven ability to cut fuel consumption by up to 20 percent compared to traditional shaftline propulsion systems. Since the first installation over 25 years ago, Azipod® propulsion has saved approximately 900,000 tons of fuel while clocking up close to 16 million running hours at an impressive availability rate of 99.8 percent. For RoPax segment the mid-power range propulsion units have been designed for low onboard height, which allows placing the Azipod® system under the car deck of RoPax vessels, ensuring smooth loading and unloading of vehicles, as well as allowing for maximizing the deck space. The design simplicity of the propulsion system provides increased robustness and reliability, at the same time allowing for ease of maintenance.

Azipod VI propulsion is a unique azimuthing solution for ice applications in power range 6-17MW. With a built-in high-efficiency AC motor and fixed-pitch propeller mounted directly on the motor shaft, it stands out from other thruster solutions. While mechanical thrusters have complex transmission with gears and shafts, the Azipod propulsion has only electrical cables between the power source and the thruster unit. This makes it possible to build an extremely robust propulsion device with the simplicity, strength and reliability for the most challenging ice conditions, and to any ice class.

More information: Azipod VI and ICE product introduction leaflet

Azipod ICE propulsion is an azimuthing propulsion solution for wide range of icebreaking vessels for power up to 5 MW. With a built-in high-efficiency LV permanent magnet motor and fixed-pitch propeller mounted directly on the motor shaft, it stands out from other thruster solutions.  Azipod ICE propulsion is extremely robust propulsion device with the simplicity, strength and reliability for the most challenging ice conditions.

More information: Azipod VI and ICE product introduction leaflet

Azipod CO is original compact size podded propulsor and have been in production since year 2000. It’s the smallest member of Azipod family covering power range from 1.0 MW to 4.5 MW. 

Like all Azipod units, Azipod CO has gearless propulsion train providing high reliability and long lifetime. Several Azipod C units have been in operation even over 10 years without any major overhaul. 

The advantages of Azipod CO include very small footprint and simple auxiliary system. It is very suitable, for example, for yacht designs, which have very limited onboard space for propulsion and steering machinery.

Main dimension	Power [kW]	Ship service speed* [kts]
Azipod CO861	1500
Azipod CO980	2200	18
Azipod CO1250	3800	19
Azipod CO1400L	4500	21

_{For technical specifications, click the underlined Azipod model in the list above. 
*Consult ABB for higher service speeds}

Azipod D for open water is a second generation compact size Azipod propulsion series covering power range from 1 MW to 7.5 MW. Azipod D technology combines best features of original Azipod C series and high-power Azipod XO series. 

Azipod D is the most efficient azimuthing propulsor in its power range and has excellent course-keeping characteristics. Based on its gearless construction and high performance, Azipod DO provides cost efficient, reliable and energy saving operations for cruise, ferry, offshore and special vessels. The high performance of the thruster is achieved by a unique hybrid cooling of the propulsion motor combining a direct cooling to the surrounding sea water and an active air cooling system. 

Azipod D is also available with ice classes up to PC 5.

Main dimensions	Power [kW]	Ship service speed* [kts]
Azipod DO1100A	2775	20
Azipod DO1100P	3470	20
Azipod DO1250A	4300	21
Azipod DO1250P	4965	21
Azipod DO1400A	5200	22
Azipod DO1400P	6100	22
Azipod DO1600A	7350	22
Azipod DO1600P	7500	22

 _{For technical specifications, click the underlined Azipod propulsion model in the list above.
*Consult ABB for higher service speeds} 

The Azipod mid-range podded gearless propulsion systems covers three frame sizes in the power range from 7.6 MW to 14.5 MW per propeller, and is based on the straightforward, robust and easy to maintain design principles that have seen Azipod propulsion selected across 25 vessel types over close to three decades. 

These propulsion systems are equipped with ABB’s fourth generation permanent magnet motors that draw on proven Azipod propulsion technologies and have been refined to further increase power and maximize efficiency.

 The mid-power range propulsion units have been designed for low onboard height, which allows placing the Azipod system under the car deck of RoPax vessels, ensuring smooth loading and unloading of vehicles, as well as allowing for maximizing the deck space. The design simplicity of the propulsion system provides increased robustness and reliability, at the same time allowing for ease of maintenance.

In addition to ferry and RoPax vessels, this power range will also be applicable for larger offshore construction vessels, midsize cruise ships and shuttle tankers.

Azipod XO is a propulsion solution for high power open water applications. Azipod XO is available up to 22 MW unit power and it is an ideal choice for vessels like ferries and cruise vessels. Azipod XO brings with it improved energy efficiency, excellent maneuverability and improved passenger comfort.

For fast vessels a Contra Rotating Propeller concept can be formed of Azipod propulsion unit and conventional shaft line by replacing the conventional rudder with an Azipod propulsion unit where the propellers face each other.

Azipod XO is also available with ice classes up to PC 5.

Azipod XL is a high efficiency propulsion unit suitable for high power ships. Compared to Azipod XO the efficiency is improved by installing to the pulling Azipod propulsion unit a special nozzle module including stator blades to straighten the water flow from the propeller to reduce the turbulence and energy loss and to give the optimum thrust for the vessel.  This gives about 5 - 10 % efficiency improvement compared to the exist­ing Azipod XO design. Compared to the conventional shaft line concepts, up to 20 % improvements can be achieved. The efficien­cy is improved over the whole ship speed range and not only at one design point.

Azipod XL design is now available for one frame size, Azipod XL2100, for unit power up to 17,5 MW.

Suitable ship types for Azipod XL are for example LNG tankers, ferries, cruise vessels, offshore construction vessels and tugs.

Azipod CZ thruster is a unique underwater mountable gearless thruster solution that stands out from others due to its built-in high-efficiency electric motor. A fixed pitch propeller is mounted directly to the motor shaft, thus eliminating unnecessary mechanics such as gears, shaftlines and bearings. This makes the thruster unit extremely resilient to mechanical stress and wear. The thruster motor is cooled directly by the surrounding seawater, so no other cooling is needed. Azipod CZ is available up to 4.7 MW power.

Main dimensions	Power [kW]	Ship service speed* [kts]
Azipod CZ1250L	3300	16,5
Azipod CZ1400L	4500	16,5
Azipod CZ1400XL	4700	15,5

 _{For technical specifications, click the underlined Azipod models in the list above. 
*Consult ABB for higher service speeds}

Azipod DZ is the newest thruster with a nozzle in the Azipod family. It is available up to 7,5 MW power. Based on its gearless and  simple construction and high thrust performance, Azipod DZ provides a cost efficient and reliable underwater mountable solution for DP vessels and other ships that require high thrust. The high performance of the thruster is achieved by a unique hybrid cooling of the propulsion motor combining a direct cooling to the surrounding sea water and an active air cooling system. 

Main dimensions	Power [kW]	Ship service speed* [kts]
Azipod DZ980A	2100	15
Azipod DZ980P	2400	15
Azipod DZ1100A	2500	15
Azipod DZ1100P	3100	15
Azipod DZ1250A	3800	16
Azipod DZ1250P	4200	16
Azipod DZ1400A	5200	16,5
Azipod DZ1400P	5500	16,5
Azipod DZ1600A	6700	16,5
Azipod DZ1600P	7500	16,5

 _{For technical specifications, click the underlined Azipod models. 
*Consult ABB for higher service speeds}