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TRANSPORT Shipping

Ramping up marine research at ABB The high technology facility developing the next generation of maritime technology with ship owners

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ower and automation group ABB has been strengthening its commitment to research and development in the marine sector at its new laboratory. Situated in Helsinki, Finland, next to the factory making ABB's Azipod gearless steerable propulsion systems, it brings together all ABB’s offerings for the shipping industry under one roof. ABB has invested significant funds in the scheme, which is being used by the 30 ABB engineers dedicated to marine research as well as to demonstrate products to customers. A step forward “We are constantly testing and developing new technologies. This laboratory is a wonderful step forward and enables a full range of innovation activities, now that all of our marine systems can be tested and developed in the same place,” said Mikko Lepistö, vice president of software and automation operations at ABB, at the opening of the facility in October 2015. The Helsinki lab supports the pillars of

ABB has been working to develop and enhance process control systems, communications solutions, sensors and software for the IoTSP

ABB’s marine technologies including automation, remote control systems,

propulsion, integrated operations and waste heat recovery systems. In the future, it will also have the possibility to function as a simulator.

When data collected by automation systems is utilised in the most optimal way, we can save both costs and environment. e Internet of ings, Services and People opens new possibilities for the marine industry.” IoTSP enables machines to be operated more safely, with greater efficiency, and with lower environmental impact

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African Review of Business and Technology - April 2016

- Mikko Lepistö, ABB

www.africanreview.com