Recently, Qiyao Energy Efficiency (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd. (referred to as “Qiyao Energy Efficiency”), a subsidiary of the 711 Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), successfully completed the delivery of the first vessel “MSC SVEVA” under the batch permanent magnet high-power shaft generator system retrofit project for Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The 4.2MW permanent magnet low-speed high-power shaft generator system installed on this vessel was independently developed by Qiyao Energy Efficiency, marking the successful entry of Qiyao’s permanent magnet shaft generator system into the operational ship retrofit sequence of a global top liner company.
MSC is a world-renowned container liner company with strict准入 standards for suppliers’ technical capabilities, product quality, and global service network. Since the project tracking phase in 2024, the Qiyao shaft generator project team has completed preliminary work including on-site survey and mapping, demonstration of multiple technical solutions, and retrofit risk assessment. The Qiyao team, with its mature technical solution centered on “domestic permanent magnet direct drive + through-shaft structure,” stood out in the competitive bidding against international brands and successfully undertook the batch container ship shaft generator retrofit project under MSC.
To ensure high-quality and efficient project delivery, the Qiyao shaft generator project team built a land-based joint commissioning platform for the high-power permanent magnet shaft generator system, successfully completing all functional tests including the 4.2MW full-load test, load sudden application and removal test, variable speed operation test, and 72-hour full-load reliability operation test, witnessed by the shipowner.
Facing the challenges of limited engine room space and complex onboard piping on operational ships, the Qiyao shaft generator project team completed precise mapping of the entire engine room through 3D scanning in the early stage, and efficiently collaborated with the shipowner, classification society, shipyard, and design institute to formulate a millimeter-level equipment positioning plan and construction schedule. During construction, the generator through-shaft alignment was efficiently completed, all equipment installation dimensions including the frequency converter, transformer, and incoming switchboard achieved zero rework, the PMS, AMS, and AMP system retrofits were precisely integrated, and all mooring tests and inspection items were completed on schedule.
During the sea trials from June 12 to 16, all trial and inspection items, including shaft generator parallel operation with the main engine, shaft generator island operation, reliability tests at different speeds, and shaft generator switching during main engine emergency stop, were passed on the first attempt, earning high recognition from the shipowner for product performance.
The delivery of MSC’s first vessel marks the official entry of Qiyao’s permanent magnet high-power shaft generator system into the operational ship retrofit market of international top liner companies. From the initial solution bidding to the delivery of the first vessel, the project has verified the engineering feasibility and reliable delivery capability of Qiyao’s permanent magnet direct drive technology in large container ship retrofits. As subsequent series vessels are progressively advanced, this project will provide a replicable technical pathway for carbon emission reduction of large container ships and accumulate real-ship performance for expanding the international market of domestic high-end marine equipment.
