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Zurich-headquartered power and automation technology group, ABB, has won a repeat order worth US$60 million to deliver complete electrical power plants and Azipod XO fuel-saving electric propulsion systems for Carnival Corporation's two new cruise vessels.

The order also includes generators, main switchboards, a remote control system and distribution transformers.

Azipod propulsion is a gearless steerable propulsion system where the electric drive motor is in a submerged pod outside the ship's hull. According to ABB, "it improves safety, fuel efficiency and is the most environmentally friendly propulsion system".

The ships, to be built by Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, are to sail under Carnival Corporation's brands Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line. The new vessel for Holland America Line will be a sister ship to Koningsdam, currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard. The ship will have a gross tonnage of 99,500 tonnes, accommodate up to 2,650 passengers and will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Carnival's new 3,954-passenger vessel will be a sister ship to Carnival Vista and it is the 26th ship in the cruise operator's fleet. The delivery for this new vessel is scheduled for the first quarter of 2018.

"These beautiful new ships on order from Fincantieri signify our ongoing commitment to provide the best possible guest experience across our industry-leading brands," said Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation. "New ships with the latest features, accommodations and innovations really bring the modern cruise experience to life and will help us continue to grow new demand for cruising."

"We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Fincantieri, which is known as one of the world's leading cruise ship builders. Longstanding customer relationships with leading shipyards such as Fincantieri are testament to our continued dedication to quality and customer value," remarked Heikki Soljama, managing director for ABB's Marine and Ports business.

The collaboration between ABB and Fincantieri spans over 25 years: ABB's first electric propulsion delivery to Fincantieri was for a Carnival cruise ship in 1990. Since then, 14 ships built by Fincantieri have been equipped with ABB's Azipod propulsion. Twenty-four of Carnival Corporation's ships are equipped with Azipod propulsion.

Image: ABB's Azipod D electric propulsion product recently won the Innovation of the Year Award at the Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo in Amsterdam, held in June 2015.