{"id":63949,"date":"2026-05-12T09:08:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T09:08:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/63949\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T09:08:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T09:08:29","slug":"marin-verifies-abb-dynafin-propulsion-performance-after-trials-for-ld-armateurs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/63949\/","title":{"rendered":"MARIN verifies ABB Dynafin\u2122 propulsion performance after trials for LD Armateurs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Collaborative tests involving the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN), innovative ship owner LD Armateurs (LDA) and ABB have produced verified data showing the substantial performance advantage ABB\u2019s Dynafin\u2122 marine propulsion system offers over conventional technology. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Trials conducted at MARIN\u2019s model basin facilities used identical ro-ro vessel hull forms to compare the performance of the ABB Dynafin\u2122 to a conventional twin-shaftline propulsion configuration. The results echo findings established during earlier MARIN performance trials of ABB Dynafin\u2122 while at the same time verifying that the testing methodology meets owner requirements. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mimicking the movement of a whale\u2019s tail, ABB Dynafin\u2122 is a cycloidal propulsion system comprising a horizontal wheel rotating at 30\u201380 revolutions per minute (RPM) and vertically descending blades. The pitch and angle of the blades are individually controlled in real time, delivering optimal hydrodynamic efficiency and instant thrust vectoring while reducing noise and turbulence.<\/p>\n

\u201cABB acknowledges that implementing ABB Dynafin\u2122 propulsion for newbuild vessels requires further validation by independent third parties, and close collaboration with shipowners,\u201d says Janne Pohjalainen, Global Product Line Manager, ABB Dynafin\u2122. \u201cBefore this type of testing could take place at MARIN\u2019s model basin, we needed to design and build the model-scale propulsion units, including all the control technologies and user interfaces. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Mimicking the movement of a whale\u2019s tail, ABB Dynafin\u2122 is a cycloidal propulsion system comprising a horizontal wheel rotating at 30\u201380 revolutions per minute (RPM) and vertically descending blades. Image credit – ABBAt the vessel’s design speed of 17 knots in ideal trial conditions, the ABB Dynafin\u2122 units required approximately 22 percent less delivered power than the twin-shaftline setup. Image credit – ABB<\/p>\n

Compelling results<\/p>\n

LDA consistently encourages new and innovative technologies that improve ship efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint, always basing its position on evidence. According to Arthur Barret, Head of Engineering, Projects & Innovation, LDA, testing new technologies with highly skilled and reliable partners, using high-quality tools helps to build confidence, mitigate risks and ensure LDA’s choices win the trust of management and clients.<\/p>\n

\u201cLDA has shown real interest in cycloidal and trochoidal propulsion for many years without being able to achieve a convincing demonstration with a system,\u201d Barrett says. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ABB Dynafin\u2122 validation tests combined advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations, dedicated model tests, measuring systems and transducers to determine the hydrodynamic loads and propulsive efficiency of the system,\u201d explains Dr. Jie Dang, Senior Project Manager, MARIN.<\/p>\n

Two ABB Dynafin\u2122 systems equipped with MARIN transducers were fitted at the stern of a ro-ro vessel model. \u201cThe thrust and torque on the main wheel, including the side force, as well as the torque on each fin, were measured,\u201d says Dang. \u201cBoth the hull efficiency and the relative rotative efficiency were recorded as \u2018larger than one\u2019, meaning favorable interactions between the propulsors and the hull.\u201d<\/p>\n

The tests delivered compelling results. At the vessel’s design speed of 17 knots in ideal trial conditions, the ABB Dynafin\u2122 units required approximately 22 percent less delivered power than the twin-shaftline setup, Barret was pleased to note.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven after deducting the electric losses inherent to diesel-electric propulsion, the gain remains substantial compared to conventional twin shaftlines,\u201d comments Barret.<\/p>\n

Forward propulsion<\/p>\n

All three partners also suggest that the tests offer evidence that will encourage other stakeholders to set aside time for a deeper dive into the transformative efficiency gains ABB Dynafin\u2122 can bring for cargo vessels.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven after deducting the electric losses inherent to diesel-electric propulsion, the gain remains substantial compared to conventional twin shaftlines,\u201d comments Barret.<\/p>\n

\"\u201cABB \u201cABB is ready to bring a highly efficient propulsion solution to the market, providing exceptional value such as competitive total cost of ownership and radical emission reductions,\u201d comments Pohjalainen. Image credit – ABB center<\/p>\n

MARIN\u2019s Dr. Dang sees untapped potential to exploit the unit\u2019s thrust vectoring capability for use with wind-assisted ships by incorporating AI-driven, self-learning controls to boost real-time fuel optimization, while also achieving roll damping and heeling correction and supporting better energy regeneration.<\/p>\n

\u201cABB is ready to bring a highly efficient propulsion solution to the market, providing exceptional value such as competitive total cost of ownership and radical emission reductions,\u201d comments Pohjalainen. \u201cAs these tests confirm, by working together with ship owners we can verify that ABB Dynafin\u2122 is economically \u2013 as well as technically \u2013 the best solution for next generation of energy-efficient ships.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Collaborative tests involving the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN), innovative ship owner LD Armateurs (LDA) and ABB have…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":63950,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[130],"tags":[232],"class_list":{"0":"post-63949","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-abb","8":"tag-abb"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ch\/116560822729835032","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63949","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63949"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63949\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63950"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63949"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63949"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63949"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}