Finnish cruise operator fits ABBs situational awareness tool

ABB Ability Marine Pilot Vision offers multiple real-time visualizations of a vessel’s surroundings, superimposing a virtual model of the ship on real surroundings measured using various sensor technologies. This allows for monitoring the vessel and its surroundings from a birds-eye view and switching to other views instantaneously. The solution makes it easier to predict vessel motions with respect to the actual surroundings and gives the user visibility of previously hidden obstacles.

ABB and Eckerö Line teams will install ABB Ability Marine Pilot Vision on board cruise ferry Finlandia with no interruption to the ship’s schedule. In addition to the mechanical interface, ABB Marine & Ports Digital Service teams will support the crew to integrate the additional tool with their current bridge team operations.

“Our goal is to improve environmental performance and safety, and we worked with ABB to achieve greater efficiency in docking and high traffic situations. Our customers demand high levels of safety in all conditions and this solution enables our crew to provide a reliable service that doesn’t compromise their expectations,” said Daniel Olsén, Technical Manager, Eckerö Group.

“Digitalisation provides solutions for existing and newbuild ships alike,” said Jyri Jusslin, Head of Global Service, ABB Marine & Ports. “This retrofit does exactly that. Enhancing docking safety and efficiency will also allow Finlandia’s crew to support their schedule, in conditions that can vary from bright sunlight to dark icy conditions throughout the year.”

The cruise ferry is operated by the Finnish shipping company Eckerö Line and makes return voyages three times daily between Helsinki in Finland and Tallinn in Estonia.