Higher speed four-strokes enter OSV marketplace

Following the acquisition of the Tognum group, the parent company of MTU, by Rolls-Royce and Daimler, the options have widened for Rolls-Royce, which frequently supplies design and equipment packages for such ships to yards worldwide. The first order for such a package using MTU high-speed four-stroke gensets, rather than medium speed units, has recently been announced.

16 marine generator sets with 12V 4000 M23S Ironmen engines are to be supplied for four Rolls-Royce-designed UT 771 CDL offshore supply vessels to be built at the Cosco Zhoushan shipyard in China, for a Hong Kong based owner. The four OSVs are scheduled for delivery in 2014.

Each generator set consists of a 1,380kW MTU engine and a generator mounted resiliently on a common base frame, with an electronic control system. Other items in the Rolls-Royce package include propulsion system, power electrical system, automation and control system, DP system, plus cargo handling equipment and deck machinery.

“We are proud to be part of this project as this is the first time MTU marine generator sets for diesel-electric propulsion are incorporated as part of an integrated power and propulsion package within a Rolls-Royce designed UT-vessel,” said Tognum chief sales officer Dr Michael Haidinger. “This order highlights the potential of our future collaboration with Rolls-Royce.”