This first of its kind integrated power and automation package in the Indian shipping sector, will help improve reliability, safety and availability of on-board systems and optimize usage of waterways to further local development
ABB’s contract with Cochin Shipyard Ltd, the largest shipbuilding and maintenance facility in India, covers two new 1,200-passenger ferries. In a first for an owner in India, these vessels will benefit from a full integration of their power generation, distribution and propulsion systems, enabled by the ABB Ability™ System 800xA automation on board.
ABB’s scope of supply includes generators, main switchboards, transformers, the power management and propulsion control systems, and the integrated alarm, monitoring and control system (IAMCS).
The ferries, to be delivered to the Andaman & Nicobar Administration in 2020, will be operated by Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) in services connecting mainland India with the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
“These ferries will play a significant part in meeting the demands of the growing local infrastructure and proving transport links within the Bay of Bengal, said Shri Madhu S Nair, Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard Ltd. “We look forward to working together with ABB for integrating modern vessel management techniques and leveraging each other’s capabilities on these vessels, which we are confident would be the best amongst the Administration’s fleet once they are put into service.”
“ABB is pleased to work with Cochin Shipyard and the Shipping Corporation of India to partner the vision of maximizing the potential of India’s waterways,” said Madhav Vemuri, President and head of Industrial Automation division, ABB India. “Deploying best-in-class integrated power and automation packages and vessel management technology will provide next level of efficiency and sustainability to such projects to connect multiple locations in the region,” he added.
Vessels specifications demand that the ferries are fully capable of international voyages. ABB’s experience in designing electrical and automation systems for ships complying with the International Maritime Organization’s Safe Return to Port (SRtP) requirements for passenger ships had been a key differentiator in power and automation selection. This focus increases the safety, availability and reliability of the onboard system allowing predictability in operations.
In line with ABB’s “Electric. Digital. Connected.” approach that envisages shipping’s digital and connected future, these ferries will have the capability to leverage the ABB Ability™ Remote Diagnostic Services for Marine, should they opt to join ABB's global Collaborative Operations network. The network uses remote equipment monitoring and data analytics to enable predictive maintenance, planned interventions or even remote technical support, supported from seven existing shore-based ABB Marine & Ports’ Collaborative Operations Centers staffed by ABB experts.
“This order is a major breakthrough for ABB’s integrated power and automation technology in a new market, but it also highlights that equivalent benefits are available to owners from our ‘Electric. Digital. Connected.’ approach anywhere in the world,” said Juha Koskela, Managing Director, ABB Marine & Ports. “Shipowners and operators in any market can benefit from the connectivity and remote management techniques, optimizing them by choosing shipboard systems that are themselves characterized by integration and digitalization.”
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization with two clear value propositions: bringing electricity from any power plant to any plug and automating industries from natural resources to finished products. As title partner of Formula E, the fully electric international FIA motorsport class, ABB is pushing the boundaries of e-mobility to contribute to a sustainable future. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 135,000 employees. www.abb.com
