Multiple steerable propeller contract

The azimuth thrusters will provide propulsion for six tugboats rising to 21 if the option is exercised. When completed, each tugboat has a bollard pull of 60 to 80 metric tonnes.

Helge Gjerde, Rolls-Royce, President Commercial – Marine, said: “Sanmar Shipyard and Rolls-Royce have a long term relationship. This year we delivered our 150th thruster to Sanmar and the announcement of this further contract extends our long standing and continued cooperation.”

Cem Seven, Board Member of Sanmar, added: “We have accomplished world-class projects in the field of tugboat building and this year we will be breaking our construction record with a total of 25 craft. We would like to thank Rolls-Royce for their contribution to our success over many years.”

An azimuth thruster is a propeller that can be rotated 360 degrees around its vertical axes, providing thrust in any direction.

Rolls-Royce said its range of azimuth thrusters offers superior manoeuvrability and are all a well proven technology with a robust construction. They are manufactured at the company’s Rauma site in Finland.

The contracted thrusters will be delivered during 2016, to be installed on vessels for European and for Middle East tug operators. The deliveries from Rolls-Royce include a thruster control system.