[ 40 ] THE SHIP OF THE FUTURE In collision avoidance manoeuvres, an Azipod®-equipped vessel is more likely to avoid collision than a vessel with a conventional shaftline-rudder arrangement. This is because conventional rudders typically require bow and stern tunnel thrusters to assist in manoeuvring. However, tunnel thrusters do not work effectively at higher ship speeds, whereas the superior steering capability of Azipod® units is effective throughout the ship’s speed range. A recent independent study revealed that Azipod® propulsion for ferries could save nearly US$ 2 million in annual fuel costs per vessel. Lower fuel consumption would also mean reducing CO2 emissions by around 10,000 tons per ship per year, equivalent to the amount of CO2 emitted by about 2,200 passenger cars annually. THE NEXT STEP — AUTONOMOUS NAVIGATION Ferries are also increasingly benefiting from other technologies developed by ABB. Automation systems have allowed ship’s technicians and engineers to operate onboard power plants reliably and efficiently, for example. In 2018 this was taken to new levels with the successful testing of remote control for a double-ended ferry in Finland. The driver for ferry technology, while heading toward the realm of autonomy, is not to replace the crew onboard but to supplement their skill set. Ferries operate regularly within harbours and in close quarters with commercial and recreational traffic. Ship handling is a skill that ferry officers quite rightly promote and ensuring the safety of a ferry in close quarters is paramount. Presenting information and recommended actions for the bridge officer is where ABB’s focus is heading. EQUIVALENT TO 115 TESLA MODEL Y CARS P&O’s revolutionary Fusion-class features a diesel hybrid electric system. By having the equivalent battery storage as 115 Tesla Model Y cars, P&O Pioneer and P&O Liberté are able to store surplus energy from the diesel engines to perform emission-free harbour manoeuvres using batteries. The pair is also futureproofed to receive shore power from port facilities when this becomes available. Energy storage allows easily switching to zero-emission mode for operation and port stays in environmentally sensitive areas, making the vessel ready for stricter emission regulations in the future. It also provides a reliable redundant system designed to fit with the vessel’s operational needs. It is easy to use safely and efficiently, whether peak power, running power or emergency power backup is needed. ABB’s scope of supply also covers the integrated Power and Energy Management System (PEMS™). The flexibility of using stored energy will also further optimise the performance of the four Azipod® propulsors which are key to the Fusion-class’ double-ended design. As the ships feature a pair of Azipod® units and a bridge at each end, there is no need to turn ships in port. The captain and deck officers simply walk to the opposite bridge, saving seven minutes on each outbound and return journey and one ton of fuel — a sixth of that used on the 22-mile English Channel crossing. Housed in independent gondolas suspended below the ship, the Azipod® units are each able to direct up to 7.5MW of power in any direction. With ABB’s Azipod® propulsion, P&O Pioneer and P&O Liberté have unparalleled levels of manoeuvrability. These highly efficient units boast up to 10 per cent greater efficiency compared to traditional propeller configurations, thanks to the streamlined hull design and ability to operate in a pulling mode, rather than pushing. For the Fusion-class, controlling four independent propulsion units is made simpler through the installation of an ABB Ability™ Marine Pilot Control. Rather than four independent controls, the bridge team can manoeuvre with a single joystick that translates the required direction into four independent commands for each Azipod® unit. This is a key benefit in simplifying the operation, which delivers not only more efficiency but greater levels of safety during port manoeuvres.
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