Making marine transportation more sustainable, efficient and reliable

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Reducing emissions from marine vessels has gained significant importance. Today there are many options on how to reduce emissions including optimizing fuel consumption, opting for alternative fuels or going hybrid or fully electric. ABB offers various solutions, harboring a new paradigm in making marine transportation sustainable, efficient and reliable.

First US built all-electric vessel for a quieter and cleaner view of the Niagara Falls

ABB zero-emission technology will power the next-generation, fully electric ferries on the iconic Maid of the Mist tour at the Niagara Falls. The two new vessels will be powered by high-capacity battery packs, making them the first purely electrically powered vessels built in the United States.

The awe-inspiring force of nature that draws millions of visitors to Niagara Falls in New York State each year will now power the boats carrying tourists to the foot of the falls. New Maid of the Mist vessels will deliver a silent and emission-free experience for passengers, driven by electricity generated from the Niagara River.

ABB’s zero-emission technology deployed in two new Maid of the Mist passenger vessels will allow tourists to experience Niagara Falls undisturbed by engine noise, vibration or exhaust and fumes that otherwise come from a conventional diesel engine, when they start operating later this year.

Maid of the Mist’s decisive move towards e-mobility signals a new era in the future of transportation and complements ABB’s commitment to sustainable shipping. Reducing emissions at Niagara Falls is not only important for the natural landmark, but also proves that the technologies enabling sustainable mobility are already available today. Each of the vessels will be powered by a pair of battery packs, which will charge between every trip while passengers disembark and board.

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    Christopher M. Glynn, President of Maid of the Mist Corp.

    “We are thrilled to be the US’s first vessel owner to add all-electric ferries to our fleet. We have chosen ABB to support us in our journey towards more sustainable operation based on their unparalleled experience in marine system integration, as well as efficient and innovative technologies for sustainable transportation."

    Shoreside charging will only take seven minutes, allowing the batteries to power the electric propulsion motors.

    The power setup will be controlled by ABB’s integrated Power and Energy Management System (PEMS), which will optimize the energy use on board.

    Sustainable transportation has a crucial role in the fight against climate change, with shipping accounting for 2 to 3 percent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

    The International Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency responsible for regulating shipping, has set a global target to cut annual emissions by at least 50 percent by 2050 from 2008 levels. Read more by clicking here.

Powering the Guinness World Record for a diesel engine

To make the world’s most efficient four-stroke diesel engine is no easy task. Especially the size of an engine that powers the world’s most advanced icebreaker, serving the Yamal liquefied natural gas project in the Russian Arctic.

This extraordinary accomplishment was made possible by first commercial application of the Power2 800-M series turbochargers – a dedicated two-stage turbocharging system designed to set new standards in turbocharging performance.

In its second generation now, Power2 is not only the most efficient turbocharging solution for four-stroke engines yet to be experienced, it is also the most compact turbocharger of its kind.

Space is a premium in the engine room and with this in mind the system has been designed to be 20 percent more compact than conventional two-stage turbocharging solutions.

It offers customers optimum return on investment by making service and maintenance easier and cheaper along with shorter service downtime and lower service costs. Read more

An emissions-free port in France

    Thanks to ABB’s shore connection technology, three Corsica Linea ferries will cut emissions and noise pollution when berthed in the Port of Marseille, France.

    ABB will modify each vessel incorporating ABB’s power compensation solution Dynacomp, which allows electricity available from the local grid in Marseille to take care of ship power needs while in docked in a port. 

    The Port of Marseille’s efforts to reduce emissions include participation within the EU-funded CLIMEPORT greenhouse gas initiative, while Grand Port Maritime de Marseille (GPPM) has also built the infrastructure at two berths to facilitate shore side power connections.

     

Giving the Arctic ecosystem the respect it demands

Vessels operating in the Northern Sea Route  need to take into consideration the delicate Arctic ecosystem, which surrounds it. Sovcomflot, a leader in energy shipping, operates the world’s largest ice-class fleet powered by ABB’s Azipod® electric propulsion. Azipod cuts fuel consumption while negating the need for separate ice-breaking ships in Arctic seas frozen with up to 2.1m of ice.

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Vessels equipped with ABB’s electric, digital and connected solutions are helping to ensure that one of the world’s most precious – though arduous – supply routes can continue to operate sustainably.

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