ABB reports orders from shipbuilders in China and South Korea to equip 18 and 12 liquified natural gas (LNG) carriers respectively with permanent magnet (PM) shaft generator technology.
The ships are due for delivery between 2028 and 2030. Enhancing operational efficiency by using the power from the main engine, ABB’s PM shaft generator system is considered to improve fuel economy compared to solutions where power is provided by auxiliary engines. By avoiding starting up high-speed fuel intensive auxiliary engines during a voyage, ship operators should achieve significantly greater fuel efficiency. In addition, the PM shaft generator solution can provide higher efficiency than either induction or electrically excited synchronous machines, at full and partial load.
According to ABB’s estimation, the company’s PM shaft generator system can cut fuel costs by up to 4% compared to conventional solutions. When combined with ABB’s ACS880 Converter and Control System, which ensures maximum flexibility and functionality in hybrid applications, the technology can increase fuel efficiency by a further 1%.
By eliminating the excitation unit inside the converter, combined with the compact size of the permanent magnet shaft generator, the system has the potential to deliver up to 20% space and weight savings, while its design helps to reduce installation and maintenance costs. These gains can make a significant difference for ship owners working to increase their competitive advantage in alignment with the IMO decarbonisation targets.
Michael Christensen, Global Segment Responsible for Cargo Vessels, ABB Marine & Ports, said: “We are proud to win the largest ever combined orders for our permanent magnet shaft generator systems, with LNG carrier deliveries set for multiple AMEA owners from shipbuilders in China and South Korea. These agreements include first-time customers for the permanent magnet shaft generator system, further confirming its benefits across a wide scope of cargo vessel types to serve shipping’s need for the enhanced fuel efficiency that reduces operating costs and helps them to meet decarbonisation requirements.”
Image: PM shaft generator system for LNG carriers (credit: ABB)
