ABB has been awarded a contract by Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku to provide an integrated power and propulsion system for two new multi-purpose patrol vessels of the Finnish Border Guard.
The package will consist of two Azipod® propulsion units and the Onboard DC Grid™ power system, and the vessels are expected to be delivered in 2025 and 2026, replacing the Tursas and Uisko patrol vessels.
The new ships will perform various duties, including guarding Finland's borders, performing maritime rescue operations, and assisting with environmental impacts, as well as serving as command bases for other vessels, helicopters, and rescue teams. The new vessels will have the capacity to carry over 400 people for mass evacuations and collect spilled oil at a much higher rate than before.
Due to the challenging conditions in the Finnish waters, including rocky waters and jagged shorelines, the new vessels will need to be highly maneuverable and capable of ice-breaking.
ABB's dual Azipod® propulsors will help to ensure optimal performance and safety, while minimizing vibrations and enhancing crew comfort.
Alongside Onboard DC Grid™ and Azipod® propulsion, ABB’s scope of supply includes the Power and Energy Management System (PEMS™). As the core of a vessel’s combined power and control system, ABB’s PEMS™ ensures optimal use of total onboard power resources in a safe, energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly manner.
ABB’s presence in the coast guard segment has grown in recent years. Between 2017 and 2020, ABB modernized a total of 10 Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) vessels to extend their lifespan by 20 years. In 2021, CCG awarded ABB a National Individual Standing Offer (NISO) to provide full-scope services for equipment installed onboard these vessels. In 2019, the Norwegian Coast Guard’s KV Svalbard became the first ever Azipod®-powered ship to reach the North Pole.