Kongsberg Maritime Unveils Extended Pod Propulsor in Hamburg, Germany, with Power up to 22 MW

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 2, Kongsberg Maritime launched the extended Elegance Pod azimuthing propulsion system during the SMM maritime trade fair in Hamburg, Germany, raising the series' maximum power from 7.5 MW to 22 MW and adding five new models, targeting vessel types such as large cruise ships and Ro-Pax ferries. This expansion moves the Elegance Pod into the high-power propulsion range for large vessels.

The new series continues to employ permanent magnet motor technology, with overall optimization of hydrodynamics, electrical systems, and mechanical integration. Kongsberg Maritime stated that product development targets both hybrid and fully electric propulsion architectures, with design priorities including propulsion efficiency, low-noise operation, reliability, and full-lifecycle maintenance support.

Kongsberg Maritime stated that large cruise ships are one of the core target markets for this product expansion. The company's previous Elegance Pod was primarily applied to medium-sized cruise ships and passenger vessels, while the new generation of products will cover the propulsion needs of large cruise ships at higher power levels. Large Ro-Pax ferries are also listed as potential applications, particularly for vessel types with high requirements for energy efficiency, port operational flexibility, and low noise.

According to information disclosed by Kongsberg Maritime, this launch constitutes a product series expansion and technology introduction phase. Currently available public materials have not yet revealed specific customers, order values, associated shipyards, or delivery timelines for the first 22 MW-class Elegance Pod units. The company is re-entering the large cruise ship pod propulsion market with the new series.