130 INTERVIEW Change begins beneath the surface Alice Chambers asks ABB’s Tuomo Salmi and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Tobias King about a new propulsion concept that is the result of evolution and technology Whales are able to move through water effortlessly thanks to their distinctive body shapes. With a robust structure to support their long pectoral fins, humpbacks move in the most dynamic and powerful way, with significant thrust and acceleration. The idea of ship propulsion systems mimicking the movement of the whale tail has been around for a hundred years, according to ABB Marine, an electric, digital and connected solutions provider for shipowners. But to turn an idea into a reality, the timing must be right; there needs to be a demand for such a product. The CLIA 2024 State of the Cruise Industry Report demonstrates just that, with 32 pilot projects and collaborative initiatives underway to test sustainable fuel and propulsion technology for cruise ships. A notable initiative is the joint study conducted by ABB and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. ABB worked with the luxury cruise line to model ABB Dynafin, an electric propulsion concept inspired by the dynamic movements of a whale’s tail, with the potential to help ship operators significantly reduce fuel consumption. “Our Dynafin propulsion concept and its blade design are the results of years of research and development in hydrodynamics,” says Tuomo Salmi, global commercial manager for Compact Azipod and Dynafin sales for marine propulsion at ABB. “Dynafin is the latest addition to ABB’s propulsion portfolio, which includes a state-ofthe-art Azipod propulsion product range aimed at extending our offering and future-proofing new ship designs.” The concept solution features a large wheel connected to five vertical blades, each of which is operated by an individual motor and control system. The wheel is also powered by an electric motor and rotates at 30 to “ Our Dynafin propulsion concept and its blade design are the results of years of research and development in hydrodynamics” Tuomo Salmi ABB Photo: Unsplash/Oliver Tsappis The design of ABB Dynafin is inspired by the movements of a whale’s tail
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