ABB to power new Virgin Voyages cruise ship

ABB is to supply the complete electric power and propulsion package for Virgin Voyages’ new cruise ship. The vessel, due for delivery in 2020, will be the first of a fleet of three 110,000-ton ships to feature ABB’s Azipod propulsion system. Two Azipod XO units, with a combined propulsion power of 32MW (43,000hp) will propel each of the three ships. ABB will also supply each vessel with electricity generators, main switchboards, distribution transformers and a remote control system for manoeuvring the Azipod units from the bridge. Furthermore, four-stroke engines powering the electricity generators – four per vessel – will be equipped with ABB’s TPL-C turbochargers. “Making Virgin Voyages environmentally sustainable is central to our vision and we are delighted ABB’s Azipod propulsion will help us achieve that goal,” said Stuart Hawkins, senior vice president, marine and technical operations, Virgin Voyages. “Combined with excellent manoeuvrability, it was a natural choice for our ships.” Each of the ships will be 278m long and 38m wide and accommodate more than 2,700 passengers and 1,150 crew. All three ships will be built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy, with the second and third vessel deliveries scheduled for 2021 and 2022 respectively. All three vessels will also have the capability to connect to the ABB Ability Collaborative Operations Centers infrastructure, a network that uses remote equipment monitoring and data analytics to enable predictive maintenance, planned interventions and remote technical support.