Beijing, February 1, 2013 - ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, announced that it has provided the world's most advanced green propulsion system, the Azipod® C propulsion system, and the AIS automation system for power monitor and control, to "Science," a 4,000-ton marine research ship from the Institute of Oceanography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The "Science" is currently China's most advanced marine research ship and its operation signifies that China's marine research capabilities have reached an advanced level.
The "Science," with global navigation capability, is one of 12 key national research projects of the 11th Five-Year Plan, and also China's first comprehensive scientific research ship for marine research and detection. It will be one of the main vessels for the country's comprehensive ocean research in the coming decades. The "Science" was designed by the Marine Design and Research Institute of China and built by Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Company.
ABB's advanced Azipod® C propulsion system provides the "Science" with significantly improved maneuverability. It can make a 360-degree turn in less than 5 minutes. The ship can quickly decelerate from 15 knots per hour to 0 within 130 seconds. Meanwhile, the Azipod® system can dramatically reduce noise and vibration to 60 decibels, lower than the 70 decibels specified by the Classification Society, thus improving the comfort level on the ship. In addition, the PMS (power management system) provided by ABB reduces fuel consumption by as much as 25%, making the "Science" one of the most fuel-efficient research ships in the world.
Erik Oja, head of the Process Automation Division, ABB North Asia and China, said, "While traveling in the open seas, marine research ships are faced with extreme marine climates. All systems and equipment on the ship must remain in good conditions at all times. Solutions provided by ABB can ensure the high reliability and maneuverability necessary for the ship's operation, while substantially reducing noise and saving energy. ABB will continue to focus on providing advanced technologies and equipment for China's shipyards, while assisting the Chinese shipbuilding industry in its industrial upgrade."
As the world's leading power and propulsion system supplier, ABB provides about 50% of the world's vessel power systems and 80% of the world's electric podded propulsion systems. As the world's first propulsion system that can be installed in the rotatable pod outside the hull, ABB's advanced vessel propulsion system Azipod® has the obvious advantages of low fuel consumption, high speed, better maneuverability, low noise, and a compact shape. In China, the Azipod® system has been installed in a variety of major vessels, including the ferry line between Yantai-Dalian, reducing fuel consumption by 20% to 30%. It has also been used in China's first two marine surveillance vessels, delivered in 2005 and 2011, respectively.
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people. ABB has a full range of business activities in China, including R&D, manufacturing, sales and services, with 18,300 employees, 36 local companies, and an extensive sales and service network across 80 cities.
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