Responding to strong demand from the ice-going vessel segment, ABB says it has developed in cooperation with customers a new course for deck officers covering the operational principles of diesel-electric Azipod vessels, taking into account vessel safety, environmental and economical requirements and operational efficiency and maintenance needs when operating in arctic conditions.
“Demand from the ice going segment for ABB’s solutions has been strong for some time,” said Juha Koskela, Managing Director of ABB’s Marine and Ports business unit. “By combining ABB’s expertise with the needs of the customer, we have set a new benchmark for arctic training.”
The course will build on the company’s history of working with ice class vessels; ABB delivered the first electric propulsion system to an icebreaker in 1939. Azipod propulsion has also gained a strong foothold in the segment and has recently expanded its reach to ice class passenger vessels.
The five-day course is held in cooperation with Aboa Mare training center in Turku, Finland. Training consists of discussions, lessons and full mission bridge simulator exercises. Topics of the lessons vary from Azipod vessel operation and propulsion system behavior in all conditions to resource management and bridge communication. After the course the crew will be able to fully utilize the flexibility of the propulsion system, identify potential malfunctions of the propulsion system and cope with them without sacrificing vessel safety. The new course will complement the portfolio of 35 different courses offered by the Marine Academy.
Captain Takashi Saito, Marine Manager from MOL LNG Transport took the new course and said, “The training was way beyond my expectations. We look forward to sending other seafarers to expand their knowledge of polar conditions.”
Micael Vuorio, Training Manager at Aboa Mare, said, “We are pleased to continue our cooperation with ABB on designing the best courses available at the market. Aboa Mare provides a diversified training portfolio, including training according to the Polar Code, as well as training for Baltic ice conditions and this expertise is also included in to ABB´s new training course.”
