Page 77: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (March 2017)

The Switch’s High-Tech Marine Offering

Magnetic Attraction

The Switch is targeting growth of 200% within the marine Its PM shaft generators can be used to create cost-effec- segment in the next ? ve years, building on the momentum tive electricity and save fuel – with large merchant vessels of a ? urry of recent orders, its acquisition of Wärtsilä Drives potentially consuming 50 percent less energy during slow and the ? nancial muscle of its parent company, the $3.5 steaming. Meanwhile, vessels utilizing electric propulsion billion turnover Yaskawa Electric Corporation. can optimize fuel consumption and access predictable and

The Switch is a Finnish headquartered business, a spe- ? exible power with unmatched power density.

cialist in the development and supply of advanced drive In addition, The Switch’s frequency converters deliver reli- train solutions, believes its permanent magnet (PM) and able and accurate speed control. This makes them ideal for frequency converter technology can have the same trans- vessels operating in varying environments and speed rang- formational effect on marine as it has had in wind. In wind, es – such as ferries, cruise ships, ice breakers and tugs –

The Switch is a preferred industry supplier, providing per- and perfectly suited to the demands of dynamic positioning manent magnet generators and full-power converters to systems.

wind turbines worldwide. Despite only entering the segment in 2013, The Switch

In total, the ? rm boasts an installed capacity in excess of has received more than 20 orders for its permanent mag- 13 GW. The largest low voltage (690 V) PM generators in- net shaft generator technology, with a growing number of stalled have a capacity of 8.6 MW. “We entered the marine enquiries. Its latest agreements, to be delivered by solu- market four years ago,” said Mika Koli, Business Develop- tions provider WE Tech, cover PM shaft generators for two ment Manager. “We saw a huge potential to transfer not Toll Shipping 12,000 dwt RORO vessels and a series of four just our unique competency, but also the bene? ts that our Stena RoRo ROPAX ferries. All vessels are being built in Chi- technology can deliver to a sector facing challenges on a na, with Toll’s constructed at Jinling Shipyard and Stena’s number of fronts. Namely, with regard to operational costs, at AVIC Weihai Shipyard Co. Deliveries span from late 2017 falling pro? t margins and increasing environmental regula- through to January 2018.

tions and concern.” “After an initial phase where we’ve been establishing our “Our products address all these issues. With this in mind, name and technology in the sector, the business is really we believe we can make a real difference in marine – cham- moving on to the next level,” Koli stated. “The support and pioning both enhanced ef? ciency, the environment and our global network of our parent company provide an excellent

Images: Visedo customers’ businesses. We see this as the beginning of a platform to build on, while its ? nancial strength paved way new energy era.” for the acquisition of Wärtsilä Drives in November 2016.

The Switch manufactures PM machines that, in conjunc- That move was crucial. It gives us competency in special- tion with frequency converters, convert mechanical energy ized megawatt-class power drives, alongside a test center into electric power that can then be utilized for onboard sys- and manufacturing facilities in Stord, Norway. It means we tems and equipment. With modular, ? exible and lightweight are now a specialized provider of drive trains that are engi- designs, the solutions drive a new wave of ef? ciency. neered speci? cally for the marine industry.” www.marinelink.com 77

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