A new power system for ships could reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 20 percent, claim its makers.

ABB has developed the technology for electric-powered boats like offshore support vessels, tug boats, ferries and yachts.

Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB’s Process Automation division said: “With an onboard DC (direct current) solution, we can vary generator speed to optimise fuel consumption and improve a ship’s operational efficiency by up to 20 percent compared with traditional AC powered systems.”

He added that the industry was seeing a ‘revival’ in the use of DC as opposed to AC (alternating current) circuits in ships.