Charting a greener course: marine electrification and sustainability

Did you know that about 90% of global trade is transported by marine shipping? And shipping is statistically “the least environmentally damaging mode of transport when its productive value is taken into consideration,” according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). But even the least environmentally damaging mode of transport can be made more sustainable. Marine…

New package order for 4 shaft generators and single drives

The Switch received a package order in February 2025 to supply its PMM1000M shaft generator and single-drive package to four newbuild 140-meter-long, 12,000 dwt multipurpose vessels (MPP), with an option for two additional vessels. The Switch PMM1000M’s slim design features a slightly smaller cooling unit, ensuring a better fit within the engine room. The vessels…

LDA equips three newbuild hybrid vessels with The Switch DC-Hub

France-based Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) has been selected by Airbus to build, own and operate an entire new fleet of low-emission vessels to transport its aircraft subassemblies between production facilities in Europe and the United States. The new fleet will cut average annual transatlantic CO2 emissions by 50%, achieving 33,000 tons in 2030 compared to…

The Switch meets growing marine demand with expanded facilities

Over the past year, we’ve seen a steady uptick in demand for our marine products. Both product lines – power electronics and electrical machines – have received many new orders, with the increase in power electronics sales especially noticeable. This, of course, creates a positive problem: how are we going to produce everything? Until recently,…

12 PMM1500Ms for newbuild liquefied natural gas carriers (LNGC)  

In August, The Switch won an order for 12 PMM1500 permanent magnet (PM) shaft generators to be supplied for power take out (PTO) on newbuild liquefied natural gas carriers (LNGC). Deliveries are scheduled from Q3 2025 through Q3 2026. “Our permanent magnet technology was a perfect match for what the shipowner was looking for. Our…

6 PMM2000s for newbuild methanol dual-fuel containerships

The Switch received orders for six permanent magnet (PM) shaft generators to be installed on newbuild methanol-powered containerships. The first PMM2000M will be delivered in Q2 2025. The new vessels will be ready for commissioning in 2026 and 2027. “This order for the world’s most advanced high-power permanent magnet shaft generators is part of the…

Order for 10 new PMM2000M shaft generators

The Switch has received a new order for 10 permanent magnet direct-drive PMM2000M shaft generators for 10,300 TEU dual-fuel container vessels. Delivery is expected in Q1 2026–Q1 2027. The PMM2000M is the largest frame size in the company’s portfolio of shaft generators. A key aspect in the design of the vessels is to use a…

Marine industry moves toward electrification in 2022

What does the future hold for electrification of the marine industry? A review of the past year’s trends shows a clear movement toward electrification. Green transition gathering speed The transition to using sustainable solutions in the marine market has clearly been on the industry agenda over the past year. And what’s more, our conversations with…

Industry blog

Get inspired on how a solid rotor motor technology can speed up your performance

Permanent magnets help marine cut costs

Soaring fuel prices and global overcapacity are forcing the marine industry to rethink conventional power configurations. Ship owners are struggling to turn a profit. The time has come for advanced technologies that can revolutionize the way ships generate and use energy.

The Switch’s permanent magnet technology has been proven in the harsh environments of the wind industry. Now, we’re making this technology available to marine to offer unmatched power density, energy efficiency, design flexibility and operational reliability.

The Switch - Mika Koli, Key Account Manager

Why PM machines will be the top choice for electric direct-drive propulsion in large ships

Superior efficiency, reliability and compactness are the core competitive advantages of permanent magnet (PM) machines. With our market-leading position and experience in delivering PM shaft generators, we believe these machines have a big role to play in the electrification of the deep-sea fleet. As shipowners look to lower emissions in line with IMO targets, PM…

Dongfang, China

The Switch has provided Dongfang with a second-generation drive train package that combines a 1.5 MW direct-drive, outer rotor permanent magnet generator with a full-power converter. The generator features an extremely solid cast-iron construction enabling series production. Cooperation between the two companies has expanded recently to include several permanent magnet generator licenses.