Royal Caribbean’s two new 158,000-ton cruise ships will have new energy-efficient Azipods when they are delivered in the fall of 2014 and the spring of 2015. ABB, a leader in azipod propulsion, has received the orders for both ships, totaling $ 60 million.
Azipod units (pictured right) act as both the ship’s thrust and rudder, giving the ship 360-degree control, compared to traditional vessels that have a rudder to steer and a separate propeller for propulsion. The new Azipod units will provide better maneuverability and less fuel.
“We are pleased that as the cruise ship market rebounds, a number of shipbuilders have chosen our market-leading Azipod propulsion systems for the next generation of cruise vessels,” said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB’s process automation division.
The two Project Sunshine ships are being built at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenbury, Germany.
Source: ABB
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