ABB to power new discovery cruiser

Built to Polar Class 6 the vessel will have the ability to navigate the summer waters of Polar Regions.

The ship’s two 3 MW Azipod units will allow it to reach destinations previously off limits for large passenger vessels.

Juha Koskela, managing director of ABB’s Marine and Ports business, said, “Scenic Eclipse maintains the strong tradition of Azipod propulsion powering some of the world’s most innovative ships.”

“With our unrivalled pedigree in the passenger and icebreaking segments, we are able to meet the owner’s demands for a flexible and efficient propulsion system which can operate safely in all sea conditions.”

The engine will be mounted outside of the vessel so passengers can benefit from a reduction in noise and vibration whilst the space can be used for other purposed such restaurants.

Azipod D’s gearless construction, high motor efficiency and advanced hydrodynamic design aim to fuel consumption is typically 10-15 % lower than with geared thrusters.

The Scenic Eclipse will be built by Uljanik Group in Croatia and is due for completion in 2018. It will have a capacity of 228 passengers (200 in polar regions) and 172 crew (182 in polar regions) with a total of 114 passenger cabins, the largest being 233 square meters.

“There is growing interesting in the Polar Regions from the passenger segment and recent orders have shown ship owners trust our solutions in these areas,” concluded Koskela.