Power and automation technology firm ABB last year received orders worth $200m to deliver power plants and Azipod propulsion systems to cruise customers.
During 2014, the company also secured $900m of orders to supply solutions to ice-going and ice-breaking projects.
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Record levels for new orders is a result of the high-demand for electrical propulsion systems in the cruise and ice-going segments.
ABB Marine and Ports business managing director Heikki Soljama said: "While being a record year for Azipod sales, 2014 also marked another year of significant growth for diesel-electric propulsion.
"The tangible benefits of electric propulsion explain why during the last decade, the electric fleet has seen annual growth of 13%."
This growth results from the increase in the Arctic shipping volumes and also oil and gas exploration in the region, which created demand for specialised solutions for ice-going and ice-breaking vessels.
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By GlobalDataABB’s Azipod VI propulsion units improve vessel efficiency and manoeuvrability in the Arctic and also deliver a high level of reliability to operations in harsh and demanding conditions, the company stated.
The demand for electric podded propulsion in the cruise market has also helped ABB achieve this growth. Last year, ABB received a number of orders to deliver latest generation Azipod XO propulsion systems to high-end cruise vessels.
Recently, ABB secured orders worth $60m from Meyer Werft to provide complete electrical power plant and propulsion systems for two new luxury vessels being built for Star Cruises of Genting Hong Kong.
Image: ABB recorded $200m of orders for power plants and Azipod propulsion systems from cruise customers in 2014. Photo: courtesy of ABB.
