Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine

Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine. It was a prominent division of Rolls-Royce Holdings focused on designing and supplying advanced systems for the global maritime industry. Headquartered in Ålesund, Norway, the unit became a leader in integrated ship systems, offering everything from propellers to dynamic positioning technology. Its operations and technologies were ultimately acquired by Kongsberg Gruppen in 2019, forming a significant part of the new Kongsberg Maritime.

History

The origins of the division trace back to Rolls-Royce's strategic expansion into the marine sector during the 1970s, significantly bolstered by the acquisition of the Norwegian company Ulstein in 1999. This move provided a strong foothold in the North Sea market and expertise in offshore supply vessel design. Further growth was achieved through purchasing the marine businesses of Vickers and the propulsion specialist Kamewa, integrating their long histories in naval architecture. The division's portfolio expanded globally, serving clients from Singapore to Brazil, until the parent company's strategic review led to the sale of the entire commercial marine business to Kongsberg Gruppen for £500 million, a deal completed in 2019.

Products and Services

The company's portfolio encompassed a comprehensive range of marine technologies, including the renowned Ulstein X-Bow hull design and Azipod propulsion units. It supplied advanced tunnel thrusters, controllable pitch propellers, and complex hybrid propulsion systems for ferries and offshore wind vessels. Key offerings also included robust winches, cranes, and sophisticated ship automation systems for bridge control. These integrated packages were critical for diverse vessel types, from LNG carriers and cruise ships to research vessels operating in the Arctic Ocean.

Business Operations

With its main hub in Ålesund, the division operated an international network of design offices, service hubs, and manufacturing facilities in key maritime centers like Helsinki, Rauma, and Shanghai. It worked closely with major shipyards worldwide, including Meyer Werft in Germany and Sembcorp Marine in Singapore. The business served a broad client base, from Royal Caribbean International to Subsea 7, providing lifecycle support through its global service organization. Its operations were deeply integrated into the Norwegian maritime cluster, collaborating with institutions like DNV GL and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Technology and Innovation

The division was a pioneer in fuel efficiency and emission reduction, developing early gas engine technology and integrated scrubber systems. Its research into autonomous shipping was conducted in partnership with the Norwegian Maritime Authority and involved projects like the Advanced Autonomous Waterborne Applications initiative. Innovations such as the Promas integrated propeller-rudder system and dynamic positioning technology set industry standards. The company invested heavily in digitalization, creating integrated monitoring systems like Rolls-Royce Marine's Ship Intelligence to optimize vessel performance and enable remote operations from centers in Ålesund.

Notable Projects

The division equipped many iconic vessels, including the Color Line's hybrid ferries operating in the Oslofjord and the advanced offshore patrol vessels for the Irish Naval Service. It provided the integrated propulsion and automation systems for Princess Cruises' new Royal-class ships built by Fincantieri. A landmark project was the design and technology package for the Bourbon Orca, one of the world's most advanced platform supply vessels. Its technology was also central to the UT 771 CD series of anchor handling tug supply vessels, which became a global benchmark for the offshore oil and gas industry.