20 questions about permanent magnet machines

When it comes to marine electrification, permanent magnet (PM) machines are quickly becoming the preferred choice for shipowners aiming for sustainability and cost savings. But as with any new technology, questions arise. We’ve compiled the 20 most frequently asked questions about The Switch PM machines. If you want to understand the technology better, this guide…

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…

Why DC distribution for offshore vessels?

Electrification is the marine industry’s obvious choice in its efforts to reach net zero emissions. DC distribution is a useful option for many types of vessels for a wide variety of reasons. Common benefits include: Offshore vessels have features which benefit greatly from DC distribution. According to DNV statistics, nearly 200 offshore vessels are already…

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…

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,…

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…

Order received to hybridize vessel

The Switch single drives were selected in June 2024 as part of a solution to hybridize a nearly 100-meter LOA anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel, originally built in the early 2010s. The drives will be used to connect batteries to the vessel’s AC switchboard, retrofitting the vessel for hybrid use. The delivery is expected…

Our robust electric machines backed by in-depth performance engineering

Looking for high-speed electric or large permanent magnet machines with top performance reliability? You can count on The Switch. Robust performance is our top priority. Our permanent magnet machines weigh up to more than 50 metric tons. Torques in our large shaft generators and propulsion motors can reach more than one million newton-meters, equal to…