ABB has entered into a 15-year service partnership with Royal Caribbean Group, a leader in the global cruise industry, which operates a fleet of 67 ships across its five brands, serving all seven continents. This agreement strengthens their longstanding collaboration to enhance the performance of the company’s vessels.
The deal covers 33 existing ships and includes preventive maintenance, digital solutions, and support for optimizing propulsion systems. The focus is on improving vessel safety, maximizing fleet availability, and ensuring swift turnaround times for planned servicing of the Azipod® propulsion system. Financial details were not disclosed.
“We’ve been working with Royal Caribbean Group for almost 30 years, beginning with the installation of Azipod® propulsion on one of the largest cruise ships in the world at that time,” said Juha Koskela, President of ABB’s Marine & Ports division. “Since then, we’ve worked together on a variety of innovative projects. This agreement marks a significant step forward in our partnership and underscores the vital role our technology plays in maintaining and enhancing the performance of one of the most innovative cruise fleets in the world.”
Palle Laursen, EVP and Head of Marine at Royal Caribbean Group, remarked, “This agreement highlights the power of innovation and our shared commitment to achieving the highest levels of ship performance.”
The Azipod® propulsion system has been a game-changer in marine transport since its introduction over 30 years ago, offering unmatched performance, efficiency, sustainability, and reliability. The system, which features a gearless, steerable pod with an electric motor positioned outside the ship’s hull, provides 360-degree rotation, enhancing vessel maneuverability and fuel efficiency by up to 20% compared to traditional shaftline systems. Since its debut on cruise ships over 25 years ago, Azipod® technology has helped save more than one million tons of fuel in the cruise industry alone.
ABB is a global leader in electrification and automation, driving a sustainable future through its expertise in engineering and digitalization. The company helps industries enhance performance while becoming more efficient and sustainable. With over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide, ABB is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB).
