Design of a Small Cruise Vessel with Azipod Propulsion System

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to verify, from a technical point of view, the potential advantages related to the installation of the new Azipod propulsion system onboard of a small cruise vessel. This study is part of a research activity presently underway at University of Genoa, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Department, about the application of diesel-electric propulsion to different ship types. Traditionally onboard minicruisers a geared diesel installation is the usual choice among ship owners. Nevertheless the consideration of a diesel-electric option is well justified because this type of ship is characterised by a large demand of electric power and a highly varying load profiles. In addition the Azipod propulsion system may offer further opportunities because of the external location of the electric motor and its azimuthing capabilities. In this paper a comparison between Azipod diesel-electric and geared diesel propulsion plant is presented and discussed with particular emphasis on the layout of the machinery space and the optimisation of the propulsion efficiency.