ABB delivers ice class Azipods to Korean yards

ABB declined to name the projects, but confirmed that the LNG tanker is destined for work on the Yamal LNG project, set to commence operation next year. As reported, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) is currently building a series of fifteen icebreaking LNG tankers for the project for various owners including Teekay LNG/China LNG Shipping, Dynagas Holding, Mitsui OSK Lines/China Shipping and Sovcomflot. A detailed ship description can be found here.

Meanwhile, Samsung Heavy Industries is building a series of six Arctic shuttle tankers, with the first originally due for launch last month. Built to dual Russian Register of Shipping and Lloyd’s Register class, the 248m vessels, which will provide crude oil transportation from the Gulf of Ob and are designed for operation in high latitudes with temperatures as low as -42°.

The four units will take around a month to reach South Korea. Once installed they will add to a claimed 12 million hours of running time for Azipod thrusters since they were introduced 25 years ago, in which time ABB says they have saved the maritime industry more than 700,000 tonnes of fuel.