ABB wins 15-year deal with Royal Caribbean

Electrification and automation specialist, ABB, has signed a 15-year fleet service agreement with Royal Caribbean Group covering maintenance for 33 of the cruise company’s 67 ships. ABB will provide preventive maintenance and digital systems to support optimal propulsion operations, ensure vessel safety, and maximise fleet uptime. Fast turnround times for planned Azipod® propulsion servicing will be a priority.

ABB Marine & Ports president, Juha Koskela, commented: “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.

“Since then, we’ve partnered on numerous pioneering projects,” he continued. “This service agreement marks an important milestone in our journey together and highlights the critical role of ABB’s solutions in modernising and maintaining the performance of one of the world’s most innovative cruise fleets.”

Azipod propulsion has a range of operational benefits. The pod, located outside of the ship’s hull, increases manoeuvrability, raises efficiency, and can cut fuel consumption by up to 20% compared with conventional shaftline systems.

ABB claims that more than one million tonnes of fuel have been saved in the cruise sector since the first Azipod was installed on a vessel more than 25 years ago.