The partnership will cover maintenance and digital solutions for the optimisation of the propulsion of 33 ships

Swiss group ABB has signed a 15-year support agreement with Royal Caribbean Group, a leader in the cruise industry with a fleet of 67 ships belonging to its five brands, consolidating a long-standing partnership in support.

The agreement, covering 33 existing vessels, includes preventive maintenance and digital solutions to support and optimize propulsion operations, improve vessel safety, maximize fleet availability and ensure rapid response times for scheduled maintenance of the Azipod propulsion system. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Nearly three decades with Royal Caribbean Group

“Our partnership with Royal Caribbean Group spans nearly three decades, starting with the installation of the Azipod propulsion system on one of the world’s largest cruise ships at the time,” said Juha Koskela, President of ABB’s Marine & Ports division. “Since then, we have collaborated on numerous pioneering projects.

This service agreement marks an important milestone in our journey together and underscores the crucial role of ABB solutions in modernizing and maintaining the performance of one of the world’s most innovative cruise fleets.”

This agreement

“This agreement exemplifies how a shared commitment to innovation can open up new opportunities to improve progress toward ship performance goals,” said Palle Laursen, Executive Vice President and Head of Maritime, Royal Caribbean Group.

From its creation over thirty years ago to its current leadership position in the maritime sector – explained a note from the Swiss group – Azipod propulsion has revolutionised maritime transport by offering unprecedented advantages in terms of performance, efficiency, sustainability and reliability.

Azipod technology 

The steerable, gearless propulsion system, with the electric motor in a pod external to the ship’s hull, can rotate 360 ​​degrees to increase the vessel’s manoeuvrability and efficiency, while reducing fuel consumption by up to 20% compared to traditional shaft-driven systems. Since its first installation on a cruise ship over 25 years ago, Azipod technology has saved over one million tonnes of fuel in the cruise segment alone.

About ABB

ABB Group (Asea Brown Boveri) is a leading Swedish-Swiss multinational tech company specializing in electrification and automation, providing power, robotics, motion, and industrial automation solutions for industries, transport, and infrastructure to create a more productive, sustainable future. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, ABB combines software with its hardware to drive efficiency, operating globally with a strong focus on innovation and digital transformation in key markets like China and the U.S..

 About Royal Caribbean Group 

Royal Caribbean Group is a leading global vacation company and the parent holding company for several major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises, also owning a stake in TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, operating a large fleet to destinations worldwide and offering land-based experiences. Formerly known as Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., it's the world's second-largest cruise operator, focused on innovation, sustainability, and providing diverse, best-in-class vacation experiences. 

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Source : Shipping Italy

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