The Switch, a leading supplier of permanent magnet shaft generators, celebrates its 500th shaft generator order. This milestone underscores the company’s pivotal role in supporting the maritime industry’s transition to cleaner, more efficient shipping.
“Reaching 500 orders is a milestone not just for The Switch, but for the shipping industry as a whole,” said Jussi Puranen, Product Line Director for Electric Machines. “Every shaft generator we deliver directly reduces CO₂ emissions, helping shipowners cut fuel consumption and comply with tightening environmental regulations. This number reflects both our customers’ commitment to sustainability and our team’s dedication to cost-effective, tailor-made engineering. Considering that we delivered our first shaft generator only ten years ago, it also shows how fast the green transition in shipping is taking place.”
Shaft generators harness the main engine’s power to produce electricity for a vessel’s onboard systems, significantly reducing reliance on auxiliary diesel generators that run with lower fuel efficiency. Permanent magnet shaft generators improve fuel efficiency and cut greenhouse gas emissions, making them a key technology toward meeting the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO’s) target of achieving net-zero emissions by around 2050.
Permanent magnet shaft generators are estimated to cut carbon emissions compared to conventional shaft generators with electric excitation by over 100,000 metric tons per year – equivalent to the emissions of over 22,000 passenger cars with internal combustion engines. The savings are even greater compared to conventional genset-based systems – over 600,000 metric tons of CO2 annually, equal to the carbon emissions of about 140,000 passenger cars.
Over 300 The Switch permanent magnet shaft generators are already fully operational, serving a diverse fleet of container ships, gas carriers, bulk carriers, tankers and car carriers. These have accumulated more than 5 million operating hours with no vessel downtime due to failures.
The Switch invests in ongoing research and development to further improve the efficiency and reliability of its solutions so that shipowners stay ahead of evolving environmental standards.
“Field-proven technologies like permanent magnet shaft generators are vital stepping stones as the industry navigates toward a net-zero future,” added Miika Reinikka, CEO of The Switch. “We are proud to help our end customers sail more sustainably and look forward to celebrating the next 500 deliveries.”