- ABB will supply its Onboard DC Grid™ power system for nine newbuild shuttle tankers under construction by Samsung Heavy Industries for Brazil’s offshore market.
- This is ABB’s largest-ever Onboard DC Grid™ contract in the shuttle tanker segment, enhancing fuel efficiency, emissions reduction, and energy integration.
- The system offers high redundancy, remote diagnostics, and variable speed control, supporting advanced DP2 operations and low-voltage distribution.
In a strategic move toward boosting offshore operational efficiency, Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (SHI) has partnered with ABB to equip nine newbuild shuttle tankers with ABB’s Onboard DC Grid™ power system platform. The contract, ABB’s largest for this technology in the shuttle tanker segment, underscores growing demand for smart, integrated power solutions that meet the dynamic needs of the marine industry.
The vessels, which are scheduled for delivery starting in 2027, will be deployed under bareboat charter to support operations in Brazil’s offshore oil and gas sector. Designed for efficiency, reliability, and flexibility, ABB’s Onboard DC Grid™ system will serve as the backbone of each vessel’s power infrastructure, optimizing energy flow, supporting multiple power sources, and enabling advanced dynamic positioning (DP2) operations.
“This is an important contract for ABB and a further step forward for our longstanding collaboration with Samsung Heavy Industries,” said Michael Christensen, Global Segment Responsible for Cargo Vessels, ABB’s Marine & Ports division. “We would like to thank all stakeholders for selecting Onboard DC Grid™ as the best fit for these advanced DP2 shuttle tankers. We look forward to delivering the solution which enables simple and flexible integration of energy sources, and variable speed control across every motor on the ship to maximize overall efficiency.”
Next-Gen Power for Advanced Offshore Vessels
The Onboard DC Grid™ platform is engineered to offer high levels of redundancy and fault tolerance, making it ideal for mission-critical vessels operating under DP2 requirements. With its ability to distribute energy efficiently across a low-voltage network, the system ensures smooth operation and supports a wide range of energy sources, from traditional generators to future hybrid and renewable integrations.
The solution also features autonomous sub-system design for improved safety and extended maintenance intervals. ABB’s delivery scope will include full system integration, remote diagnostics, on-site support, and commissioning across all nine shuttle tankers. The system is certified to DNV’s Closed Bus-Tie Notation DYNPOS(AUTR-CBT), further assuring operational resilience.
This project reinforces ABB’s commitment to enabling sustainable maritime operations while providing scalable, future-ready technology that enhances vessel performance, cuts fuel costs, and supports global decarbonization goals.
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Source: ABB
