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ABB has today confirmed the introduction of the Azipod D, to its line of Azipod electric propulsion products.

In a statement, ABB explained that the Azipod D "will allow a wider range of vessel types to benefit from the proven reliability and flexibility that have made Azipod the leading propulsion system across numerous ship types".

"ABB's gearless Azipod propulsion system is already the preferred choice of cruise vessels, icebreakers, ice-going cargo vessels and offshore accommodation ships. With the Azipod D, shipping segments such as offshore drilling, construction and support vessels and ferries will have even more choices to benefit from the higher flexibility, reliability and energy efficiency provided by Azipod propulsion technology," the company said.

Peter Terwiesch, President of ABB's Process Automation division, commented: "We're excited to expand the Azipod propulsion family and make the benefits of electric propulsion available to a wider range of ships. Shipowners and operators demand solutions that are reliable and improve their competitiveness in a volatile market - the Azipod D is our answer to these demands."

ABB added that the electric propulsion behind its Azipd units enables ship owners and operators to "enjoy higher profitability of their vessels by lowering maintenance costs and cutting fuel consumption".

Benefits of the Azipod D propulsion system are said to include superior manoeuvrability, competitive investment cost, ease of service and maintenance, and a significant performance increase compared to mechanical thrusters.

According to ABB, the Azipod D also provides designers and ship builders with increased design flexibility in order to accommodate a wide range of hull shapes and propeller sizes, as well as simplicity of installation of the propulsion units.

The new Azipod thruster family member also requires up to 25 percent less installed power, which is partly due to the fact that the new hybrid cooling increases the performance of the electric motor by up to 45 percent, ABB said.

ABB's Azipod D propulsion power ranges from 1.6 megawatts to 7 megawatts (MW) per unit.

Describing why Azipod propulsion is suitable for the offshore industry, ABB said: "The characteristics of Azipod propulsion make it particularly appealing to the offshore shipping segments where most vessels operate in dynamic positioning mode and require highest reliability. In conjunction with electric propulsion, Azipod propulsion system is the ideal solution to meet varying power demand, high propulsion efficiency and flexibility, all of which are typical requirements of the offshore industry."

According to Clarksons Research, the number of vessels with electric propulsion has been growing at a pace of 12 percent per year over the last decade, three times faster than the world's fleet.