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ABB has signed a new agreement with Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) to provide the complete power and propulsion package for Allseas’ upcoming heavy transport vessel Grand Tour, a specialized semi-submersible vessel designed to carry offshore converter stations and support next-generation offshore wind infrastructure.

The 230-meter vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will be capable of transporting offshore structures weighing up to 40,000 tons. Grand Tour has been engineered specifically for the complex logistics involved in offshore energy projects, allowing it to lower its main deck below the waterline to load large converter platforms before transferring them to Allseas’ installation vessel Pioneering Spirit.

Under the agreement, ABB will supply four 3.5 MW Azipod propulsion units that will provide the vessel with the maneuverability and thrust required for heavy transport operations, including dynamic positioning (DP) systems and offshore load-transfer activities.

The Azipod propulsion technology enables each electrically driven propulsion unit to rotate 360 degrees, giving Grand Tour enhanced positioning accuracy when operating alongside Pioneering Spirit. This capability is particularly important during offshore installation operations, where maintaining vessel stability and precise movement is essential for safe transfer of large-scale energy infrastructure.

ABB’s scope extends beyond propulsion equipment. The company will also deliver a medium-voltage AC power plant using a closed-ring configuration, ABB’s PEMS power and energy management system, a power plant protection system, and remote condition monitoring functions designed to improve operational reliability throughout the vessel’s service life.

The propulsion units will be equipped with optimized nozzles designed to improve efficiency during long-distance transportation. This combination of advanced marine engineering and digital monitoring technology is expected to reduce energy consumption while supporting reliable operation in challenging offshore environments.

ABB’s marine automation technologies are increasingly used in specialized vessels that require high levels of power efficiency, maneuverability, and operational control. Solutions such as intelligent power management, automation systems, and remote diagnostics help ship operators improve performance while reducing maintenance requirements. More industrial automation solutions from ABB can be explored through ABB automation controllers and CPU platforms and ABB System 800xA solutions.

Allseas ordered the construction of Grand Tour from China’s Guangzhou Shipyard International in September 2025 as part of its long-term strategy to support offshore wind grid connection projects. The vessel will play a key role in transporting converter stations required for TenneT’s 2 GW offshore wind grid expansion program.

The vessel is being developed under a broader framework agreement established in 2023 between TenneT and offshore installation contractors Allseas and Heerema Marine Contractors. The agreements cover multiple transport and installation operations through 2031, supporting the deployment of offshore energy infrastructure across the Dutch and German sectors of the North Sea.

Grand Tour is expected to transport converter stations from fabrication facilities in Asia and Europe to offshore installation locations. Its unique design allows the vessel to fit into the bow slot of Pioneering Spirit, enabling direct offshore transfer operations without requiring traditional heavy lifting methods.

The project highlights the growing demand for specialized marine vessels capable of supporting renewable energy expansion. As offshore wind projects become larger and move into deeper waters, the transportation and installation of offshore converter platforms require increasingly advanced propulsion, automation, and power management technologies.

For ABB, the Grand Tour contract reinforces the company’s role in the offshore energy sector, where reliable electrical systems and intelligent vessel automation are becoming critical components of modern marine operations.

The integration of digital condition monitoring, energy optimization systems, and advanced propulsion control demonstrates how industrial automation is expanding beyond traditional manufacturing applications into maritime infrastructure. These technologies allow operators to monitor equipment performance in real time, improve vessel availability, and support safer offshore operations.

As global investment in offshore wind continues to accelerate, vessels like Grand Tour will become essential assets in connecting renewable energy generation with national power networks. ABB’s contribution represents another step toward more efficient, digitally managed offshore transportation solutions.

Written by: Michael Turner. Michael is an industrial technology analyst with more than 10 years of experience covering automation systems, marine electrification, and energy infrastructure projects. His research focuses on how advanced control technologies improve reliability and efficiency in complex industrial environments.