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Power and automation technology group ABB has recently delivered four Azipod C propulsion systems for the Blue Ocean II Wind Turbine Installation Vessel, built by Samsung Shipyard in Korea.

The two Wind Turbine Installation Vessels will be delivered to Singapore-based offshore oil and gas industry service provider Swire Pacific Offshore Operations (Pte.) Ltd. In total, ABB has provided eight Azipod C propulsion systems for the two vessels.

According to ABB, its Azipod C marine propulsion system saves space inside the vessel hull for more efficiency in ship design and equipment placement, and can help reduce vessels’ fuel consumption by 25% while improving their maneuvering capabilities.

"The improved maneuverability will help the Blue Ocean vessels operate in a wider weather window, providing more flexibility in the transportation and installation of offshore wind foundation materials and turbines of all types and sizes, ABB said.

The Azipod systems were delivered from ABB’s new Azipod C factory in Shanghai, China, which was established in 2011 to serve customers in Asia.

"The Azipod C factory in Shanghai helps us meet the fast-growing demand of the Chinese shipyards for high-end vessels, at the same time, allowing us to get closer to customers of other key shipbuilding markets like Japan and South Korea," said Heikki Soljama, global head of ABB’s Marine and Cranes Business Unit.