The Switch sees fuel efficiency drive strongest-ever order run for electric machines

Buoyant newbuilding activity combined with a growing focus on energy efficiency and optimisation in newbuild specifications has helped drive one of the strongest-ever order runs for The Switch’s electric machines (EM) business. The Finnish power electronics specialist has secured 13 orders since the beginning of June, covering almost 50 oceangoing vessels and 59 permanent magnet (PM) machines. July marked the company’s strongest month to date for marine EM orders.

The surge comes as shipowners put greater emphasis on efficiency across the vessel, with optimisation extending from ship design to individual equipment and power-system configurations. Tightening decarbonisation requirements and fuel costs are strengthening the case for technologies that reduce energy consumption, including PM shaft generator and hybrid-electric solutions. The higher efficiency of PM technology compared with conventional alternatives translates directly into lower fuel consumption, making these products increasingly attractive to owners considering machinery options for new vessels.

“This is one of the strongest order runs we’ve ever had, but I think it also says something about where the market is going,” says Jussi Puranen, Product Line Director, Electric Machines at The Switch. “Owners are looking much more closely at efficiency. When you’re specifying a newbuild today, every percentage point matters, and that’s putting greater focus on the efficiency of individual components and the overall power configuration.”

“It also comes down to confidence in the technology,” he adds. “We have a product range that can meet the requirements of very different vessels, plus a proven operational track record. We now have more than 400 machines in service, with over seven million operating hours since 2015 and zero critical faults. That builds trust with new customers and keeps existing customers coming back.”

The orders include some of the largest vessels served by The Switch, including VLCC-class tankers of up to 320,000 DWT and large gas carriers of up to 174,000 cbm, as well as container ships and car carriers.

The balance between new and repeat business is also significant. Five new end customers placed orders through The Switch’s existing system integrator partners, while several established ones returned with further projects. In one case, the same owner placed two separate orders within weeks of each other, totalling 10 machines for two different vessel types.

The Switch supplies PM generators and motors for shaft generator and propulsion applications, with a marine portfolio ranging from below 1 MW to more than 10 MW. This breadth allows owners to apply the same proven PM technology across very different vessel requirements and power configurations.