ABB modernises CoolCo's LNG fleet for another decade
ABB has upgraded the propulsion drives in nine LNG carriers owned by CoolCo. ABB’s modernisation solution was conducted with minimal operational impact and improved the drives’ reliability, extending their lifetime by over 10 years. This optimised the use of installed infrastructure, turning circular practices into strategic advantages
CoolCo is a provider of safe and reliable transportation solutions for LNG. Headquartered in Norway with global operations, CoolCo owns nine dual-fuel diesel-electric ships powered by ABB’s propulsion systems, comprising generators, transformers, medium voltage (MV) switchboards, MV frequency converters and propulsion motors.
Built in 2015, the vessels feature ACS6000 frequency converters, two units per vessel. To upgrade to the latest technology and prolong the lifetime, ABB provided a modular modernisation, replacing electronic and control components as necessary, with minimal impact on the carriers’ operating schedule and helping CoolCo benefit from an extended lifecycle of support.
The modernisation included ABB’s next-generation Universal Control Unit (UCU) platform, providing greater computational power and improved maintenance and troubleshooting capabilities. This enables ABB to help industries reduce waste, extend product life, and enhance operational efficiency and resilience.
Tommy Strømsborg, vessel manager at CoolCo, said, “At CoolCo, we are dedicated to providing our customers with the highest level of service in a safe and sustainable manner. To do that, we need outstanding reliability. We are very pleased with ABB’s approach to modernise the propulsion drives, as it helps to maximise availability and resilience while reducing environmental footprint. In addition, ABB’s ability to customise services, their flexibility in scaling operations, and their eagerness to co-develop solutions with us were highly valued.”
Tomas Arhippainen, business line manager, Marine Service and Digital, ABB’s Marine and Ports division, said, “When transporting LNG across the globe, minimal downtime, high fleet availability and low carbon footprint are paramount. It’s great to see that, by opting for our modernisation solution, CoolCo is driving both circular value and business edge. They have now extended drives’ lifetime by more than ten years, continuing to benefit from our full technical backing and spare part availability thanks to the adoption of our latest technologies.”
By replacing electronic components and controls while retaining the existing footprint and mechanical parts, modernisations are cost- and time-effective, helping reduce raw material use and conserve the embodied carbon already invested in the product.
CoolCo opted to implement all pending preventive maintenance actions simultaneously, allowing ABB to grant 24-month extended warranties on the complete drives.
Arhippainen said, “We worked closely with CoolCo to coordinate the upgrades and minimise the ships’ dry dock time. ABB personnel ran the upgrade work at a shipyard in China, and it was undertaken at the same time as other essential maintenance interventions.”
The environmental benefits of responsible lifecycle management align with industry expectations. A survey conducted by Sapio Research on behalf of ABB, involving 3,600 decision-makers across a variety of industries, confirmed that the main sustainability goals of respondents when implementing life-cycle management strategies include reducing waste through life extension and repair and decreasing carbon emissions.