Rolls-Royce Marine Hosted Press Members at Bristol Facilities

Defence Turkey magazine recently participated in a media tour organised by Rolls-Royce Marine.  In July, at the Rolls-Royce Marine facility in Bristol, Mr. Sam Cameron, SVP of Sales and Business Development made an opening speech on the overview of the Rolls-Royce Naval Marine Business, its capacity and products. Following the introduction, Mr. Tomas Leahy, Director of UK Naval Programmes and Mr. David Kemp, VP of Naval sales,delivered speeches on key programmes and opportunities in the US, Asia and Europe. Mr. Christoph Fenske, Director of Application Centre Governmental Naval;Mr. Dave Pearson; Director of Engineering and Technology; Mr. Richard Partridge, Chief of Naval Systems; Mr. Göran Grunditz, Manager of Hydrodynamic Research Centre; Mr. Tony Williams, QEC Programme Manager and Mr.Tomas Leahy, Director of UK Naval Programmes enlightened thePress on MTU naval capabilities, gas turbine, ship propulsion for naval requirements and the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. Then media members visited the MT30 build line and the marinegas turbine test bed facility. 

The Rolls-Royce Marine business provides complex integrated power systems, and ship designs for a range of applications in the offshore oil and gas, specialist vessel and naval markets. It has more than 4000 customers worldwide, with equipment installed on more than 25,000 vessels with GBP14,6bn Revenue, GBP 1,6bn  profit and GBP 74bn in orders. Rolls-Royce offers the world’s largest portfolio of marine products and systems ranging from gas turbines and diesel engines through ship design and ship systems, water jets, propellers, thrusters, stabilisers, electrical systems and comprehensive customer support.

Key Markets, Key Programmes 

Rolls-Royce has strengthened and increased its positions in the UK,Canada, the USA, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Pakistan, S. Korea, Japan and Greece.

Japan is a focus country for Rolls-Royce and Naval is pursuing MT30/MTU equipment for future programmes. Over 200 marine gas turbines have already been delivered to Japan Maritime Self-Defence Forces.Since 1971, Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI)has been a licenced partner for the manufacture and support of its marine gas turbines. MTU diesels and Rolls-Roycewaterjetsare prevalent in Japanese Coast Guard programmes. For gas turbine gensets, there is a partnership with IHI and they have delivered 24 x 501-K34 GT kits.The Japanese Ministry of Defence plans to purchase 30+ new vessels in next 25 years.

Rolls-Royce is expected to have a major opportunity with the MT30 in the future. 

MTU is the dominant supplier of diesel propulsion for the Korean Navy, Coast Guard and Army. Rolls-Royceis supplying MT30 and CPP as well as MTU Series 4000 gensets to FFX-II. The first MT30 was delivered to Korea and now is undergoing a package build at HHI. Rolls-Royce gas turbine gensets (AG9140) are also on KDX-III destroyers.

Rolls-Royce pioneered the development of the marine gas turbine, and today, with its MT30, is powering some of the world’s most advanced naval vessels. It has already been selected for the UK’s Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers and the US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship and DDG 1000 destroyer programmes.

In 2011,Rolls-Royce announced its largest ever marine surface naval ship contract – to supply MT30 gas turbines and waterjets to a further 10 Lockheed Martin Littoral Combat Ships [LCS] for the US Navy. Rolls-Roycesupplied propulsion equipment to the first two Lockheed Martin vessels. The combination of two MT30s and four waterjets, gives this ship immense flexibility, acceleration and manoeuvrability. The first was Lockheed Martin LCS USS Freedom and The second was LM LCS, USS Fort Worth which entered service with the US Navy following successful sea trials during which time the ship achieved speeds in excess of 40 knots. It is expected that there could be an export opportunity to Singapore. 

In addition to the LM LCS, the MT30 has been selected to power the DDG 1000 advanced multi-mission destroyer for the US Navy. The first ship of the DDG 1000 multi-mission destroyer class performed successful generator light off of its main turbine generator set (MTG) and auxiliary turbine generator set (ATG).  First production fixed pitch propellers were delivered for DDG1000 in May 2015. The first ship DDG 1000 is scheduled for sea trials in the second half of 2015.

The UK Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyer programme continues to progress with all six ships in the class now launched. For each ship, Rolls-Royce supplies two WR-21 marine gas turbines, adjustable bolted propellers, steering gear, stabilisation equipment and low voltage electrical systems. Rolls-Royce has also signed an innovative 7 year in-service support contract with BAE Systems, delivering guaranteed availability of the WR-21 gas turbines in accordance with the operational schedules of the ship. Rolls-Royce Bergen diesels have been selected for the Royal Netherlands Navy’s new Joint Support Ship. The vessel will be equipped with four Bergen B32:40V12A generator sets and one B32:40L6A which will provide diesel electrical power and propulsion. 

Italy is the largest opportunity in Europe for Rolls-Royce. Rolls-Royce provides  Propulsion System Integration,  MTU 4000 Diesels Generators,  MTU 8000 Diesels, MT30 Gas Turbine, MT7 Gas Turbine and RAS System for the Italian Logistic Support Vessel, Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura, Landing Helicopter Deck and the Ocean Minehunter programmes.

Building Strength in Turkey 

Rolls-Royce Marine has achieveda success in Turkey over the years,building strength with a wider portfolio covering MTU products. Rolls-Royce Marine established a local office in 2009 in Tuzla.MTU Tognum, a global player in power and propulsion systems was acquired by a Rolls-Royce and Daimler joint venture.   MTU A.Ş has been located in Turkey for more than 20 years. It is well known that MTU A.Ş. contributes to Turkey in terms of defence technology, economy and the defence industry and it has strengthened its position in the market due to its accumulated knowledge of naval platforms for the Turkish Navy. Integration of 2 companies’ activities reinforces Rolls-Royce’s presence in Turkey.

Rolls-Royce has been a supplier to the Turkish marine and naval market, having built up an installed supply base of some 60 sets of Controllable Pitch Propellers [CPP] and the Fin Stabilisers on the G Class Frigates in the Turkish Armed Forces. It has also supplied Sonar Handling Systems fitted on 12-off Helicopters and 2-off Handling Systems for the MILGEM Project supplied via the Sonar providers.

Rolls-Royce has won orders to supply for MOSHIP, Ku Yred, MTA Seismic Research Vessel Programme. Rolls-Royce provides propulsion equipment covering tunnel thrusters and retractable thrusters for one Submarine Rescue Mother Ship (MOSHIP) and two Rescue and Towing Ships designed by Istanbul Shipyard.  The current Coast Guard SAR Vessels constructed by RMK Marine have Rolls-Royce bow thrusters.  

Rolls Royce is interested in upcoming projects including MILGEM Corvette, Landing Craft Air Cushion for LPD, TF 2000, Turkish Fast Attack Craft and Logistic Support Ship in Turkey. Rolls-Royce offers propulsion, diesels and propellers for MILGEM; The MT7 gas turbine, water jets and propulsion system integrations for the Turkish Fast  Attack Craft; MT7 gas tribune for Landing Craft Air Cushion for LPD; propellers and RAS/FAS systems for Fleet replenishment Ship ( DIMDEG); diesels, MT30 gas turbines, and propellers for TF 2000 . 

Rolls-Royce and Turkish companies in 3rd markets 

Rolls-Royce has secured a £15.8 million contract to supply Rolls-Royce MTU high-speed engines and a suite of waterjet propulsion systems for 17 fast patrol vessels under construction at ARES Shipyard for the Qatar Coastguard. The scope of supply for Rolls-Royce is extensive, with a total of 46 engines and waterjets, across three different sizes of craft.  MTU 12V2000M84 diesel engines and Rolls-Royce Kamewa 50A3 series waterjets will be installed on five 24-metre ARES 75 HERCULES patrol boats and ten of the 34-metre ARES 110 HERCULES design.The two largest craft, the 47-metre ARES 150 HERCULES design, will each feature three MTU Series 4000 diesels and twin 71S4 water jets with B4 boosters.

Rolls-Royce has been cooperating with STM for the Pakistan Navy Fleet Tanker Project.  The Fleet Tanker (displacement of 15.600 tones, approximately length of 155 m, speed of 20kts and with a replenishment-at-sea system (RAS / FAS) and a helicopter landing / take-off capability) will be completed in four years. The respective design activities have been performed in Turkey and shipbuilding and outfitting activities have been carried out by KS & EW in Pakistan with the kit of material transferred from Turkey.

It is expected that there are further opportunities for Rolls-Royce with Turkish companies in Central Asia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, in the Middle East and in South Asia.