Rolls-Royce launches new medium speed engine range

The new engines are claimed to offer a 20% increase in power per cylinder, while reducing fuel consumption, emissions and through-life operating costs compared to existing engines in the Rolls-Royce Bergen range.

The first engine, the B33:45 for diesel fuel, was officially launched at the SMM exhibition in Hamburg. The increase in power, compared to the current B32:40-series engines, means the same power demand can be met with fewer cylinders. This, says the company, will give significantly lower maintenance costs and will be more compact where engine room space is at a premium.

The B33:45 will follow a modular design for ease of production and maintenance. The in-line engine platform will consist of 6, 7, 8 and 9-cylinder variants spanning a power range from 3,600kW to 5,400KW. Later, a V-engine range will be introduced. The engines are said to be suited to numerous types offshore vessels including anchor handlers, seismic, subsea construction vessels, semi submersibles and drill ships.

Mikael Makinen, Rolls-Royce, president – marine said: “Ship owners want better performance at a lower price and society wants cleaner oceans. This new family of engines will deliver what our customers need in terms of cost and the environment, and so I’m delighted to be able to launch the first engine in what will be an extensive range, suited to a wide variety of ships. We have been developing this engine over the past three years, and part of its future success will be down to the excellent collaboration and sharing of engine technology between our experts in Bergen, Norway and Friedrichshafen, Germany.”