Rolls Royce and ZF Collaborate on integrated pod propulsion systems for Yachts
Rolls-Royce (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY) is expanding its mtu yacht portfolio to include pod propulsion systems and is cooperating with ZF. “Our strategic goal is to offer integrated, highly efficient solutions to our customers in the yachting market – from bridges to propellers,” explains Denise Kurtulus, Vice President Global Marine at Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems division. “This includes our bridge solutions, automation and crew assistance systems, mtu engines, mtu hybrid systems and now also pod drives.”
Rolls-Royce will present its bridge-to-propeller solutions at the Yachting Festival in Cannes from September 12 to 17, 2023. Rolls-Royce Power Systems and ZF are now expanding their long-standing partnership in marine propulsion systems to include pod propulsion packages in the power range up to 1,250 kilowatts (1,700 hp), and later also up to 1,470 kW (2,000 hp) based on mtu-Engines of the 2000 series and the POD 4600 from ZF.
“We offer this integrated solution to provide a better yachting experience with easier maneuverability and a gain in space and efficiency,” says Denise Kurtulus. “Powertrain efficiency can be increased by up to 15 percent with the mtu-zf combined solution, thus significantly reducing the CO2 footprint. Compared to conventional fixed-pitch propeller drives, the maneuverability of the yacht can be significantly improved.”
Federico Decio, Head of the Marine & Special Driveline Technology Business Unit at ZF, adds: “We know that shipbuilders all over the world count on ZF to bring performance, efficiency and reliability to a growing variety of ships. And that’s exactly what we’ve achieved with the new ZF POD 4600 drive system.”
The new systems are offered for production yachts up to about 30 meters in length with a top speed of up to 32 knots and for workboats such as crew transfer vessels. New projects are being developed in close collaboration between Rolls-Royce with its Italy-based Yacht Competence Centre, ZF and yacht manufacturers. In the future, Rolls-Royce will supply the complete drive package to the customer.
Rolls-Royce develops and supplies complex energy and propulsion solutions for safety-related applications on land, at sea and in the air. Our products and services enable our customers to connect people, societies, cultures and economies. They meet the growing demand for energy in a wide range of industries and enable governments to equip their armed forces with the necessary technologies to protect their citizens.
Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries, including more than 400 airlines and leasing companies, 160 armed forces and naval customers, and more than 5,000 energy and nuclear energy customers. To meet our customers’ demand for more sustainable solutions, we are committed to designing our products to operate in a CO2-neutral manner. Underlying annual revenue was £2022.12 billion in 69 and underlying operating profit was £652 million.
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is a publicly traded company (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY, LEI: 213800EC7997ZBLZJH69). Rolls-Royce Power Systems, headquartered in Friedrichshafen, Germany, employs more than 9,500 people. Under the mtu brand, the company sells high-speed engines and propulsion systems for ships, power generation, heavy land and rail vehicles, military vehicles and the oil and gas industry, as well as diesel and gas systems and battery containers for safety-critical applications, continuous power generation, combined heat and power generation and microgrids, and is intensively involved in the development of climate-neutral solutions.
This article was originally published on Marine & Industrial Report newspaper Vol 45 No.5 Issue last October 31, 2023.
