1. Azipod vs. shaftline propulsion
Carnival Cruise Line’s Fantasy class consists of eight sister ships
six with
diesel-electric shaft line
M/S Fantasy
Identical hull form
and last two with
Azipods
M/S Elation
Brief introduction of two identical sister vessels.
Note hull form was not modified to suit Azipod
21-July-2000 / Matti Nuuttila

2. Azipod vs. shaftline propulsion
Sea trial experiences of M/S Elation
…the final speed of the Elation at full power of 2×14 MW was circa 0,55 knots higher than the mean value of corresponding speeds of the previous six Fantasy-class ship…
…corresponds a reduction of circa 7,5 to 9 per cent in the need of propulsion power to achieve original speed…
…typical cruise ship operation profile this reduction in power means a fuel saving of circa 40 tons during one week.
Comparison between Azipod and diesel electric shaft propulsion
reveals the hydodynamic benefits of pulling Azipod concept
From: Practical Design of Ships and Mobile Units
M.W. Oosterveld & S.G. Tan, editors.
21-July-2000 / Matti Nuuttila

3. Mechanical vs. Diesel-Electric transmission
Prime mover
h = 0,36-0,43
h = 0,05-0,43
Prime mover
Generator
h = 0,95-0,97
h = 0,96-0,98
Reduction gear
Switch board
h = 0,995
h = 0,995
Shaft line bearings
Fq converter
h = 0,97-0,985
h = 0,995
Stern tube bearing
h =
0,955-0,974
Propulsion
motor
h =
0,945-0,975
CP propeller
/FP propeller
Total propulsion train Ph
= 0,264-0,397 Ph
= 0,045-0,407
Total propulsion train
21-July-2000 / Matti Nuuttila

4. Azipod vs. other propulsion methods50
100 [MCR]
Optimal operation area
Azipods 40 25 45 50 60 10
Optimal operation area
mechanical drive
Azipod propulsion
four prime movers
optimized hull form
Azipod propulsion
four prime movers
nonoptimized hull form
Diesel-electric propulsion
four prime movers
Efficiency from diesel to propeller
Mechanical propulsion
one prime mover
21-July-2000 / Matti Nuuttila

5. Constructional Benefits
Simplified steel structure
No aligning of shafts and bearings
One-lift installation of the Azipod unit
Building time in dry- dock is reduced
21-July-2000 / Matti Nuuttila

6. Operational Benefits Manoeuvring Good coursekeeping stability
Short crash stop distance
Small turning circle
21-July-2000 / Matti Nuuttila

7. Increased side thrust capacity
Manoeuvring
Excellent for dp- and joystick operation
Safer and faster harbour operations
Reduced power demand for manoeuvring
Stern
thrusters
Azipods
Flap
rudders
Rudders
Total transverse thrust with 3 MW
21-July-2000 / Matti Nuuttila

8. Reduced exhaust emissions
Environmental Aspects
Reduced exhaust emissions
Improved safety of navigation through redundancy and excellent steerability
21-July-2000 / Matti Nuuttila

9. Main Component lifetime
Propulsion Motor > 30 years
Thrust bearing > hours
Simple
construction
gives
better
reliability
Propeller bearing > hours
Shaft sealing system > 5 years
Main gear wheel > 30 years
21-July-2000 / Matti Nuuttila