At least every week, a Volvo Penta-powered vessel is featured on Baird Maritime, so it is not surprising that Volvo Penta has won this important award. These engines and the company that manufactures them are seen almost everywhere on a daily basis.
Fitted to almost every imaginable type of vessel, they are available in traditional straight shaft drives, stern drives and the remarkable and much sought after IPS drive units. They are suited to both fast and slow vessels.
Although based in Sweden, the Volvo Penta company and its products are truly ubiquitous.
"We still see that customers recognise the unique value that our engines offer in terms of efficiency," Volvo Penta told Baird Maritime. "Fuel efficiency remains high focus, as well as our unique marine torque. We continuously see that customers comment on the acceleration and manoeuvrability provided by our engines."
The company added that its duoprop technology also contributes by delivering unique grip on the water. Other factors include ease of installation, operation, and maintenance. Also, a full systems approach a its global service network of over 3,500 dealers make securing parts and service easy and efficient for customers.
The year 2021 provided Volvo Penta the opportunity to expand its product portfolio through two key additions.
"Our DPI Aquamatic sterndrive is now available as a triple installation. This new setup allows larger boats, particularly in the marine commercial and leisure sectors, to benefit from improved performance and reliability and increased power."
Volvo Penta started to deliver EU Stage V marine certified solutions for its D8 and D13 propulsion packages. In November 2020, the company announced the introduction of eight- and 13-litre engine packages that meet the demanding requirements of the new EU Stage V marine for Inland Waterways legislation (IWW). Also in response to this, the product line now also includes a range of Stage V certified products – from 210 to 400 hp (156 to 298 kW) and up to 300kW marine gensets.
"We also made steps forward towards introducing electro-mobility at sea. We expanded our capabilities, experience, and range by becoming the majority shareholder of Norwegian marine battery and electric driveline solutions supplier ZEM. We also signed a partnership agreement with Danfoss' Editron division to help introduce sustainable power solutions for the marine industry."
As part of this collaboration with Danfoss Editron, Volvo Penta is equipping two new hybrid crewboats using pilot technology. These vessels are powered by an innovative combination of integrated electric Volvo Penta inboard performance systems (IPS), gensets, and advanced vessel management systems.
"We are also engaged in a pilot project with Hurtigruten Svalbard to test a state-of-the-art, fast hybrid sightseeing vessel, the Swedish-built Kvitbjørn ("Polar Bear")," Volvo Penta told Baird Maritime. "The hybrid propulsion will help ensure near-silent operation and create a more enjoyable experience for tourists and wildlife alike.
"Powered by a Volvo Penta twin D4-320 DPI Aquamatic hybrid solution, this boat has a top speed of 32 knots and a cruising speed of 25 knots. This vessel, designed and built by Marell Boats, will be tailored to the customer's needs and will be robust enough to operate safely in demanding Arctic environments and the prevailing sub-zero temperatures."
Volvo Penta remained strong even amidst the ongoing pandemic, and the company claim its future prospects also look promising.
"We have started to see that the marine commercial market has recovered and investments in newbuild vessels, whose construction was postponed due to Covid-19, have restarted. There is also an increasing interest in more sustainable solutions. We are encouraged by the increased interest in such solutions and so we are working to accelerate our own sustainability aims at sea."
The company believes sustainability will only continue to grow as an area of importance across the marine industry, thus leading to its goal of reaching zero emissions through both fossil-free and renewable fuels, as well as electric and hybrid technology. There is also a commitment to science-based targets to reduce emissions in support of meeting customer demands around sustainability.
"We expect that advancements in new technology to meet these new demands will only continue to evolve," Volvo Penta told Baird Maritime.
Other areas of the marine propulsion industry in which the company sees accelerated growth are digitalisation and connectivity, and these areas will only grow in importance over time.
"Customers across many industries now expect a more digitalised and connected experience," the company added.