The Switch launches compact PMM850M permanent magnet machine with water-jacket cooling for marine in International Shipping News 24/03/2026 The Switch, a leading supplier of permanent magnet (PM) machines for marine applications, has launched the PMM850M PM machine, a compact, high-efficiency solution designed to help shipowners lower fuel consumption, reduce emissions and decrease operating costs. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027. Key advantages for customers: Reduced fuel consumption thanks to high electrical efficiency. Lower CO₂ and NOx emissions, supporting compliance with environmental regulations. Minimal maintenance requirements due to the brushless design and simplified cooling system. High reliability supported by a proven PM technology platform with more than 5 million operating hours and no failures causing vessel downtime. Compact footprint, enabling greater flexibility in vessel layout and installation. Quieter operation and compliance with increasingly strict airborne and underwater radiated noise regulations thanks to the absence of external cooling fans. Filling a strategic market gap Designed for shaft generator and propulsion applications, the PMM850M targets vessels operating in the 500 kW to 1.5 MW power range, filling a gap at the lower end of The Switch’s PM machine portfolio. The launch addresses a growing market need for a smaller and more cost-efficient machine for vessels where even the PMM1000M may be too large to install. “We often see that space in the engine room is extremely limited, especially in vessels with narrow hull designs. Our goal was to develop a compact, cost-effective machine for the lower power end without compromising efficiency,” says Jussi Puranen, Product Line Director, Electric Machines at The Switch. “By combining water-jacket cooling with our high power density machine design, we have created a solution that is extremely compact while still delivering excellent efficiency throughout the entire operating range. With recent volatility in energy prices, maximizing efficiency is more important than ever to minimize fuel consumption.” As vessel electrification continues to advance, the PMM850M is particularly suited for smaller bulk carriers, product tankers and coastal trading vessels, specifically narrow-hulled shortsea ships where engine room space is often constrained. Demand is especially visible in regional markets with large fleets of smaller ships, such as Japan, where many coastal vessels have narrow hull designs. Innovative water-jacket cooling A key feature of the PMM850M is its water-jacket cooling system, which removes the need for external cooling units, including fans and heat exchangers. Cooling water flows through a hollow channel integrated into the machine housing and connects to the vessel’s freshwater cooling system. The PMM850M joins The Switch’s portfolio of permanent magnet (PM) machines for use in both shaft generator and propulsion applications. This approach simplifies the overall mechanical design while reducing footprint and operating expenses. “Without an external cooling unit, the machine becomes significantly more compact,” Puranen says. “It also eliminates cooling fans, which means fewer components to maintain and lower operating noise.” Proven performance The new machine is based on The Switch’s proven PM technology platform, built on more than 20 years of experience. PM machines deliver particularly strong performance at partial loads, where ships