ABB to provide remote diagnostics for Sovcomflot’s LNG carrier

ABB has signed a contract to provide remote diagnostics services to Sovcomflot’s icebreaking liquified natural gas (LNG) carrier Christophe de Margerie for increased safety and performance.

The move comes as the 172,600-cbm vessel completed the transit of the Northern Sea Route bound for China with Yamal LNG cargo.

ABB’s global network of eight ABB Ability Collaborative Operations Centers will now provide remote support to Christophe de Margerie.

Remote support and connectivity combined with advanced data analytics enabled by the ABB Ability Remote Diagnostics System is expected to improve the carrier’s operational safety.

Optimal performance can be ensured while helping to promptly detect and correct faults on board.

Sovcomflot president and CEO Igor Tonkovidov said: “ABB Azipod propulsion, with which Christophe de Margerie is equipped, strongly contributed to the vessel’s successful passage along the Northern Sea Route while facing some of the world’s most challenging ice conditions.

“ABB’s Remote Diagnostics System ensures that our crews can rely on a robust round-the-clock support, which helps enhance vessel performance and operational safety.”

The ARC7 ice-class LNG vessel successfully concluded an eastbound journey in May this year across the Northern Sea Route for the delivery of liquefied gas from the Yamal LNG industrial complex to China, with support from ABB’s experts remotely.

ABB Marine & Ports managing director Juha Koskela said: “This latest development in our long cooperation with Sovcomflot is another major step forward in our ‘Electric. Digital. Connected.’ strategy.

“It comes at a key moment in shipping’s digital journey, with real-time support for a sophisticated vessel such as Christophe de Margerie demonstrating that our connected expertise can be delivered in full, no matter how remote the location.”

Christophe de Margerie features three 15MW Azipod propulsion units supplied by ABB. They enable the vessel to navigate safely through ice up to 2.1m thick.