ABB strengthens exploration cruise leadership with repeat order from Ulstein for Lindblad Expeditions

National Geographic Endurance rendering. March 16, 2018.

Press Release – ABB has secured the order covering power, automation, propulsion and digital systems for the second icegoing cruise ship to be built for Lindblad Expeditions by Ulstein.

Destined to take exploration cruise guests sustainably and safely on voyages deep into remote polar regions, the Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. vessel will be built by the Norwegian yard Ulstein Verft to an Ulstein Design & Solutions design as a sister ship to National Geographic Endurance, whose construction is underway. As before, the latest ship will have capacity for 126 passengers in 69 luxury guest cabins. The vessel  will join the Lindblad fleet in late Q3 of 2021.

These ships feature one of the highest ice-classes assigned to purpose-built passenger vessels, PC5 Category A, and are designed to meet all regulations for navigation in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, and to ensure the very highest level of passenger comfort and safety.

Highlighting its preferred supplier position in the expedition cruise ship segment, ABB will deliver a full power, distribution, control and automation package for the ship, integrated in the ABB AbilityTM System 800xA, as well as twin 3.5MW electric Azipod® DO propulsors. All systems will be connected 24/7 to the ABB AbilityTM Collaborative Operations Center infrastructure for remote monitoring and support of vessel systems.

“We are delighted to continue our work with ABB on this second highly innovative polar ship,” said Nikolaos G Doulis, Senior Vice President, New Buildings, Lindblad Expeditions. “Passenger safety and comfort are paramount for any cruise operator, so it is critical that our suppliers can demonstrate proven reliability and offer continuous support via ship-shore connectivity, especially as ships venture to more remote locations and ice conditions.”

ABB is the only supplier of azimuthing electric podded propulsor systems of sufficiently high ice-going class able to meet the owner requirements. Azipod® propulsion is a gearless steerable propulsion system where the electric drive motor is in a submerged pod outside the ship hull. Azipod® propulsion has become an industry standard in the cruise segment, with the proven ability to cut fuel consumption by up to 15 percent compared to traditional shaftline propulsion systems.

“We continuously refine our range of automation, propulsion and digital systems for specific market segments,” said Juha Koskela, Managing Director of ABB Marine & Ports. “We are delighted to be working with Lindblad once more to deliver the ship maneuverability and comfort in ice conditions made possible by the Azipod® DO solution, but also the full scope of ABB’s electric, digital and connected vision offering. ABB’s support in real time is especially compelling in polar waters.”

In addition to minimizing the risk of incidents, ABB has estimated that owners using remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance services through its seven land-based Collaborative Operations Centers can reduce the cost of repairs and maintenance by up to 50 percent, while on-site attendance by technical personnel can be cut by as much as 70 percent.J

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