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Power and automation technology group, ABB, says it has won a 'wide scope of orders' to supply propulsion systems for two new cruise ships to be built by Lloyd Werft Group in Germany, for Crystal Cruises' Exclusive Class, announced last year.

ABB has agreed to deliver four of its Azipod XO units - a gearless steerable propulsion system comprising an electric drive motor contained in a submerged pod outside the ship's hull - to be used on the newbuilds.

One of the systems is designed specifically for ice-going service. Furthermore, the Azipod systems are expected to reduce the ships' lifecycle costs and help them operate at optimum efficiency. Two of the units will be capable of up to 22 megawatts (MW) of power each and two of 19 MW each.

Commenting on the news, Juha Koskela, Managing Director of ABB's Marine and Ports unit, said: "We are delighted to start our collaboration with Lloyd Werft and continue our long time cooperation with Crystal Cruises. It is thrilling to be a part of Crystal's groundbreaking plans for Exclusive Class vessels."

As part of the agreement, ABB will also supply drives, electrical power plants and thruster motors.

The ships will also feature ABB's 800xA automation system, complete with EMMA Energy Management System and fleet management suite. EMMA is designed to help the ship's operators to run it in the most energy efficient way possible by analyzing historical data and comparing it to current conditions and then advises on improvements. The system also allows benchmarking across the whole fleet.

"When delivered, Crystal's Exclusive Class ships will not only be the largest and most luxurious polar cruise ships, but also the most powerful, safest and most technically advanced in their class," commented Fleet Captain Gustaf Gronberg, Senior Vice President of Marine Operations & Newbuilding for GHK. "ABB's long experience in podded propulsion and power generation for both cruise ships and ice breaking vessels makes them the ideal and most reliable partner for these projects."

"ABB continues to demonstrate that we are the leader in the development of electric power and propulsion systems for the most exceptional vessels on the seas. Our close working relationship with Lloyd Werft was vital to producing a safe, innovative, efficient and flexible solution for these new builds," said Marcus Högblom, VP Sales for Passenger vessels, ABB Marine and Ports.

Image: Crystal Serenity - a Crystal Cruises vessel.