ABB will equip 10 China Cosco Shipping Corporation container vessels with its permanent magnet shaft generator systems.
The deal with the shipyard Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry has set delivery for the end of 2025. The order comprises systems for six 14,000TEU vessels and four 16,000TEU vessels. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is introducing new regulatory standards – the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) – which will come into force in January 2023. ABB’s permanent magnet shaft generator system is intended to help the Cosco vessels achieve required efficiency levels as well as CII ratings which verify reduced GHG emissions.
According to ABB, shaft generators with permanent magnet technology offer 3-4% higher efficiency, reduced maintenance costs and up to a 20% smaller footprint compared to traditional, synchronous excitation-based shaft generator systems. In combination with ABB’s advanced ACS 880 drive, which has been designed to ensure maximum functionality and flexibility in hybridization applications, the technology can increase fuel efficiency by an additional 1%. Moreover, compared with auxiliary diesel generator sets, permanent magnet shaft generators reportedly deliver up to 17% greater fuel efficiency during voyages.
Michael Christensen, global segment manager of dry cargo at ABB Marine & Ports, said, “ABB has been supporting China’s maritime industry for almost two decades, and we are proud to collaborate with Cosco Shipping, the country’s largest shipping company, in this breakthrough project. As we continue to develop our local capabilities to better serve our customers and help them achieve their sustainability targets, our permanent magnet technology will have an important role to play.”