ABB has secured a contract with Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) to supply an integrated power and propulsion package for Grand Tour, a 230-metre semi-submersible heavy transport vessel ordered by global offshore contractor Allseas. Scheduled for delivery in 2028, Grand Tour will support Europe’s offshore wind industry by transporting large converter stations from manufacturing facilities in Asia and Europe to Allseas’ construction vessel Pioneering Spirit for offshore installation.
Converter stations are a key part of long-distance offshore power transmission. They convert the alternating current generated by offshore wind turbines into direct current, allowing electricity to be transmitted efficiently to shore through submarine power cables.
Grand Tour will be designed to carry loads of up to 40,000 metric tonnes on its stern deck. During operations, the vessel will position itself alongside Pioneering Spirit and lower its main deck below the waterline, allowing converter stations to be floated directly onto the vessel.
ABB’s scope includes four 3.5 MW Azipod® propulsion units with optimised nozzles. The 360-degree rotating propulsion units will provide the thrust required for the vessel’s bollard pull and dynamic positioning requirements, enabling precise manoeuvring during heavy-load transfer operations.
The nozzled Azipod units are designed to provide efficient propulsion during both transit and offshore positioning. Their gearless configuration reduces mechanical losses and can lower fuel consumption and emissions compared with conventional mechanical thrusters. The design also reduces noise and vibration and requires less lubrication oil, helping to reduce maintenance requirements and operating costs.
The compact Azipod installation gives ship designers greater flexibility while supporting efficient equipment integration within the vessel. ABB will also supply a medium-voltage AC power plant arranged in a closed-ring configuration. The system will be controlled by ABB’s PEMS™ Power and Energy Management System and supported by an enhanced Power Plant Protection System (EPPS). The complete powertrain package will include remote condition monitoring and maintenance capabilities, allowing operators to track equipment performance and support timely maintenance activities.
Zhou Xuhui, President, Guangzhou Shipyard International, said Grand Tour demonstrates GSI’s capability to build complex vessels and represents another collaboration with its long-standing partner ABB. Rune Braastad, President, ABB Marine & Ports, said the project demonstrates how integrated power and propulsion technologies can improve efficiency, safety and performance in demanding heavy-lift operations. The Grand Tour project will provide infrastructure support for the growing offshore wind sector by enabling the transportation and installation of large converter stations, which are essential components in offshore power transmission systems.
ABB is a global technology company focused on electrification and automation. With more than 140 years of history and approximately 110,000 employees worldwide, ABB develops technologies aimed at improving industrial efficiency, productivity and resource use. ABB’s Automation business provides automation, electrification and digital solutions for process, hybrid and maritime industries, helping customers improve operational performance while reducing energy consumption and emissions.
