

(Posted on 05/07/21)
Already delivering decisive efficiency gains to an ever-increasing variety of ship types, ABB Azipod electric propulsion now benefits from an automated steering function that helps further minimize fuel consumption and emissions.
The new digital solution, ABB Ability™ OptimE – Toe Angle Optimization for Propulsion, supports crew in achieving maximum propulsion efficiency by automatically selecting the optimal steering angle for the ship’s Azipod system. With ABB Ability OptimE, further fuel savings of up to 1.5 percent are achievable depending on a ship’s operating profile, in addition to Azipod propulsion’s ability to cut fuel consumption by up to 20 percent when compared with a traditional shaftline setup.
Without requiring any additional skills from the crew, the digital solution adds a new dimension to proven Azipod systems efficiencies, which have already saved more than 1,000,000 tons of fuel in the cruise sector alone. ABB Ability™ OptimE automatically adjusts the steering angle to achieve continuous optimal flow through the propulsors, taking prevailing operational needs and working conditions into account.
“Maximizing the energy efficiency of assets is a top priority for ABB and we are delighted to demonstrate yet further fuel savings and emission reductions in our Azipod® propulsion systems,” said Antto Shemeikka, Vice President Digital Services, ABB Marine & Ports. “We view the ship as a system where hardware and software operate seamlessly together to deliver maximum efficiency. We believe that every shipowner using Azipod technology will want to capitalize on the further efficiency gains enabled by ABB Ability OptimE.”
Suitable both for newbuilds and retrofitting, ABB Ability™ OptimE is the latest example of the growing number of ABB Marine & Ports ‘Bridge to Propeller’ integrated solutions for ships, which include bridge control, sensors, digital reporting, automation, and propulsion technology.
ABB Azipod propulsion is a gearless steerable propulsion system where the electric drive motor is in a submerged pod outside the ship’s hull. Azipod® units can rotate through 360 degrees to increase maneuverability and operating efficiency. Due to minimal noise and vibration, Azipod propulsion also improves passenger and crew comfort.
Strategic lifting capacity meets India’s east coast logistics growth. The LHM 550s selected for... Read more
A new advanced simulation suite supplied by technology group Wärtsilä for the Akademi Laut... Read more
The New Nuclear for Maritime European Summit, the world’s largest international summit on maritime... Read more
Steelpaint GmbH has received its first order from Singapore-based Winning International Group to supply... Read more
Anemoi Marine Technologies, a leader in wind-assisted propulsion technology, has developed an in-service... Read more
A new recruitment feature has launched to help dismantle the shadow network of rogue crewing agents... Read more
AUMUND has announced that, as of 25 June, 2025, ESI Eurosilo B.V., headquartered in Purmerend, the Netherlands... Read more
Anemoi Marine Technologies, a global leader in wind propulsion solutions, has announced the official... Read more
Data alone doesn’t solve problems. It is the ability to propel data into transformative action... Read more
Turkish shipowner, Susesea, has successfully upgraded the cylinder lubrication strategy across its fleet... Read more