Nicola Camuffo (mtu), Denise Kurtulus (Rolls-Royce Power Systems) and Massimo Minnella (Team Italia Marine)

Today’s yachts are so luxurious that a jacuzzi won’t even get a mention, as it’s long since considered a basic. However, it’s not only a yacht’s graceful form and grand furnishings that fascinate. There’s also the propulsion and technical systems, which should be harmonised to maximise performance.

This is why Rolls-Royce provides all the systems needed to power a yacht, with all of them at the top end of the performance spectrum.

In line with its ‘Bridge to Propeller’ strategy for maritime applications, the business unit Power Systems of Rolls-Royce, mtu propulsion solutions for yachts will include fully integrated bridge and automation systems, engines and highly efficient Pod propulsion, with all interplaying perfectly to assure efficiency.

Denise Kurtulus, Vice President Global Marine at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said: “The more integrated your propulsion system is, the easier it is to adjust the interplay between the components, best satisfying whatever demands are being made on operation of the vessel.

“Using fully integrated systems, we can best meet the different requirements of our customers when operating a vessel. We’re already using artificial intelligence for this purpose, and the trend is increasing.”

Ocean Alexander’s 35R can be fitted with twin mtu engines

Many of the leading yacht builders in Asia and around the world use mtu engines. Ocean Alexander and Horizon are two of the region’s heavyweights, featuring regularly in the Global Order Book for superyachts. Both Kaohsiung shipyards regularly use mtu across many of their models and benefit from the support and network of Rolls-Royce business unit Power Systems under Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia in Singapore.

Ocean Alexander’s 35R, the 116ft flagship of its Revolution series, can be fitted with mtu’s 2,600bhp 16V 2000 M96L engines for a top speed of 24 knots. Horizon’s FD80, the most successful model in the builder’s popular high-volume fast displacement series, is available with twin 1,600bhp 10V 2000 M96L engines.

Winnie Huang, Manager of Ocean Alexander, added: “mtu engines live up to their reputation for performance and reliability, while we also benefit from fast support and good service from the Rolls-Royce team that looks after Asia.”

FULLY INTEGRATED BRIDGE

Last September, Rolls-Royce presented its expanded bridge-to-propeller portfolio at the Cannes Yachting Festival and Monaco Yacht Show. The technology includes new bridge and automation solutions.

A fully integrated bridge is a central point of interaction for the captain, where not only all the data from the propulsion system is collected but also the operating data from all the ship’s auxiliary and navigation equipment can be collected and the equipment operated.

Engine room of the Ocean Alexander 35R

“The complexity of on-board systems is increasing due to different customer requirements and new regulations, with hybrid and electric propulsion systems, exhaust after-treatment systems, alternative fuels and so on,” Kurtulus said.

“However, our integrated bridge represents a perfect infrastructure, providing a single point of access to all information in a structured and efficient way. In the future, the same infrastructure will host autonomous functions, equipment health management (vessel monitoring systems) from the mtu NautIQ portfolio, and other data-driven functions.”

The mtu NautIQ Bridge unites on a single platform all the subsystems needed for monitoring, controlling and steering the vessel. It was developed by Rolls-Royce engineers in collaboration with Team Italia, which became part of the Rolls-Royce group in July 2023.

Massimo Minnella, who founded Team Italia with Daniele Ceccanti, said: “We will launch innovative products for the next generation of yachts. They will have a much wider range of functions in automation and control.”

ACCOMMODATING SUSTAINABLE FUELS

At the core of the mtu yacht offering are the mtu Series 2000 and 4000 yacht engines, now approved for operation with EN15940 synthetic diesel fuels such as hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO).

Kurtulus said: “We see HVO as a very effective sustainable solution because the fuel is already available. For the future, we see e-methanol as the most promising marine fuel. With ‘green’ methanol from renewable energies, CO2-neutral yacht operation is possible.

Horizon’s popular FD80 can be fitted with two mtu 10V 2000 M96L engines

“In addition, harmful emissions such as nitrogen oxides and particulates can be significantly reduced. Compared to the other sustainable fuels hydrogen, methane and ammonia, methanol has the highest energy density, considering the tank system.”

The main yacht engines are also available with exhaust aftertreatment systems for IMO III-regulated areas, while Rolls-Royce is currently developing methanol propulsion solutions for yachts and workboats.

Within the publicly funded MeOHmare project, Rolls-Royce is currently focusing on single-fuel technology and will be testing it on the single-cylinder test bed and the full-engine test bed in the coming years. The company is also testing dual-fuel solutions.

POD PROPULSION, HYBRID SYSTEMS

On the propeller side, Rolls-Royce is expanding its portfolio with fuel-efficient and particularly manoeuvrable pod propulsion systems. For this purpose, the company is cooperating with ZF and will offer high-efficiency propulsion systems based on the ZF Pod 4600 and mtu Series 2000 engines in the power range up to 1,250kW (1,700bhp).

Rolls-Royce’s bridge-to-propeller portfolio also includes mtu hybrid solutions. Enabling quiet manoeuvring in port and operating at anchor without climate-damaging exhaust gases, the mtu Hybrid PropulsionPack offers a propulsion solution that enables pure battery-electric operation for a period. The low engine noise and lack of vibration provide even more comfort on board.

Rolls-Royce Power Systems and ZF are expanding their partnership to include pod propulsion packages

The mtu Hybrid PropulsionPack integrates the mtu diesel engines with electric propulsion modules, batteries, gearbox, control and monitoring systems and other electronic components. To ensure the optimum propulsion solution for each type of ship, Rolls-Royce offers a modular kit with standardised components.

Safety, environmental protection, performance, reliability and comfort are the most important aspects when operating a yacht and for many leading shipyards, mtu will remain the go-to solution for all propulsion needs.

“Basically, mtu engines are top quality, with a beautiful yet practical design,” said Morris Tseng, Manager of the Horizon shipyard. “Yacht owners benefit from the combination of high performance and efficiency in addition to the comfort and luxury of silent, low-vibration cruising.”

The Rolls-Royce team in Singapore stands ready to support the bridge-to-propeller portfolio within the Asia region.

“With a long-standing history in the APAC region and commitment to excellence, the team in Asia fully prepared to support the expanded Bridge-to-Propeller portfolio,” said Chew Xiang Yu, Director, Marine APAC, Rolls-Royce Power Systems. “We are dedicated to meeting our customers’ bespoke requirements with service and quality.”
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