ABB has signed a 15-year service agreement with Royal Caribbean Group, a vacation industry leader with a global fleet of 67 ships across its five brands traveling to all seven continents, deepening the long-standing partnership to support the company’s ship performance goals. Covering 33 existing ships, the comprehensive agreement includes preventive maintenance and digital solutions to support and optimize propulsion operations, improve vessel safety, maximize fleet availability, and ensure fast turnaround times for planned Azipod® propulsion servicing. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“Our collaboration with Royal Caribbean Group spans nearly three decades, beginning with the installation of Azipod® propulsion 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’ve partnered on numerous pioneering projects. This service agreement marks an important milestone in our journey together and highlights the critical role of ABB’s solutions in modernizing and maintaining the performance of one of the world’s most innovative cruise fleets.”
“This agreement exemplifies how a shared commitment to innovation can unlock new opportunities to improve progress toward ship performance goals,” said Palle Laursen, Royal Caribbean Group EVP and Head of Marine. From its creation over three decades ago to its leading position in shipping today, Azipod® propulsion has revolutionized marine transport by delivering unparalleled gains for performance, efficiency, sustainability and reliability. The gearless, steerable propulsion system, with the electric drive motor in a pod outside the ship’s hull, can rotate 360 degrees to increase vessel manoeuvrability and efficiency, while cutting fuel consumption by up to 20 percent compared to conventional shaftline systems. Since the first installation on a cruise ship over 25 years ago, Azipod® technology has saved more than one million tons of fuel in the cruise segment alone.
