ABB has launched its Shipping 4.0 concept with a high-level roundtable discussion on the ‘Power of the Future.’ Industry leaders and journalists met with ABB experts to discuss the technologies and power sources that are shaping the maritime industry. In response to the changing needs of the industry, ABB can also announce the role of Global Product Manager for Energy Storage Systems has been expanded to include the development fuel cell solutions.

Dr. Tristan Smith – University College of London Consultants Ltd.

The Onboard DC Grid allows the integration of energy storage and fuel cells into onboard power systems, putting ABB in the vanguard of the new generation vessels. Vision of the Fjords is one of those vessels and Rolf Sandvik, CEO of The Fjords who runs the vessel, said at the roundtable, “What we have done so far is with zero support from the government. We are doing it because we believe that people want a carbon-free future, and that technological advances will eventu­ally bring costs down.”

Janne Kuivalainen – Head of Technology, ABB Marine and Ports

The roundtable agreed that whilst mechanical engines would continue to be the norm for some time, energy storage and, eventually, fuel cells offer compelling alternative solutions. John Olav Lindtjørn, Global Product Manager for Onboard DC Grid, ABB Marine and Ports said, “Battery cost and performance is improving continuously driving a wider adoption onboard. Also, we see that fuel cells will come to play an increasingly important role but combustion engines will likely be around for a while still, though its dominance is under threat.”

John Olav Lindtjørn – Global Product Manager, Onboard DC Grid, ABB Marine and Ports

Shipping 4.0 is the theme for ABB’s annual customer publication and it is designed to encourage debate on the most prominent issues facing the industry, including; the pace of technology, the role of people and the force of regulation.

Jorulf Nergard – Head of Short Sea Shipping, ABB Marine and Ports

In step with its visionary outlook, ABB Marine and Ports has announced Jostein Bogen as the new Global Product Manager for Energy Storage Systems with responsibility to oversee the development of fuel cell systems.

Juha Koskela, Managing Director of ABB’s Marine and Ports business said, “We developed the Onboard DC Grid as we anticipated the important role energy storage and fuels cells have to play in the maritime sector. By encouraging debate around the topic and dedicating resources to these technologies, we are establishing ABB as a leading force in the green power revolution.

Source: ABB