The NKT Victoria won Ship of the Year at Nor-Shipping 2017 and hosts an array of ABB technology
ABB anticipated, Mr Koskela asserted: “We did foresee that the market for these technologies was coming when we developed our Onboard DC concept, which fits very well together with batteries. We have many projects using batteries. One example is the NKT Victoria, which was made Ship of the Year at Nor-Shipping 2017. Here we have the Onboard DC Grid energy storage system, Azipod units, automation and also full connectivity to our remote operation centres.” The NKT Victoria is indeed an impressive showcase for ABB’s technologies. The cable-laying vessel features ABB's Onboard DC Grid and marine software. The Onboard DC Grid system will increase the efficiency of the vessel by allowing the ship’s engines to work at variable speed, in combination
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with energy storage for peak shaving and enhanced dynamic performance, optimising the energy consumption and reducing engine maintenance. Energy storage is also used for back-up for shore connection during cable loading, allowing the ship to be emission free during cable loading. The vessel features 36 main components that send out in excess of 1,500 signals, culminating in a daily data package of approximately 80 megabytes – allowing the assets on board to be remotely monitored. Going forward, Mr Koskela foresees more extensive use of batteries on larger vessels as the technology improves: “I think battery technology can be used in larger ships. We could even see some early indications that fuel-cell technology will come much more quickly than people think. For instance, Royal
Carribbean is talking about using it.” On the propulsion side, Azipod is still the ever-evolving jewel in ABB’s crown, although sales are not as keen as Mr Koskela might wish. “We are constantly developing our Azipod propulsion products," he said. "We announced recently the Azipod XL, which is a bit higher powered than the previous Azipod XO. We still haven’t applied or sold any, but we are very close to having it applied in a cruise ship.” Ultimately, Mr Koskela accepts that the future of shipping will involve co-operation among companies. Here, he believes, ABB’s Finnish location gives it a distinct advanatage. “As well as ABB, Wärtsilä, and Rolls-Royce are well established in the country, and there are also IT companies, such as Nokia, he said.
"They are all collaborating and enabling the further development of digitalisation in shipping. So that’s one example of how these things work. Another one is the PerFECT2, where we are part of a consortium to develop a piston-free container ship using gas turbines and utilising our CRP Azipod technology. That involves close collaboration among different companies, including Caterpillar, DNV GL and ourselves.” Mr Koskela sees the value of his company’s technology as lying in its ability to allow both it and its customers to realise the potential of their assets. Speaking of digitalisation in particular, he said: “Everything now can be measured and analysed and data can be broken down, which means we can use it as a tool for proving our concepts as well as in aiding our customers.” MP
Marine Propulsion & Auxiliary Machinery | August/September 2017