Rolls-Royce wins first naval order for Enviroship design

SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 — Rolls-Royce has secured its first contract from the naval sector for a concept design based on its Environship Leadge Bow wave-piercing hull form.

The contract comes from shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries and is for a 23,000t Polar-class logistics support vessel that will replace the New Zealand Defence Force’s 30-year-old tanker HMNZS Endeavour.

The prime contractor HHI will undertake detailed design and build the vessel as part of the NZDF’s Maritime Sustainment Capability (MSC) project, using the Rolls-Royce Environship concept design under license.

The vessel will be based on a modified Environship hull form designed to meet NZDF requirements for a heavily winterized, ice–strengthened vessel capable of carrying out operations in a challenging Antarctic environment.

In addition to the Environship concept design, the Rolls-Royce scope of supply is extensive and includes a Combined Diesel Electric and Diesel (CODLAD) propulsion plant based on twin Bergen main engines. These will each drive, via reduction gears, a controllable pitch propeller. Rolls-Royce will also supply the propeller shafts.

Electrical power will be supplied by Rolls-Royce in the form of four MTU gensets from Rolls-Royce Power Systems, which will also provide power to the Rolls-Royce supplied switchboards, motors, drives, bow thruster and the electric RAS/FAS system, which allows for simpler and quieter replenishment/fueling-at-sea operations.

Rotary vane steering gear and rudders form part of a stand-alone package.

Ben Dunscombe, Rolls-Royce Program Executive – Asia, who is responsible for the delivery of the project, said: “We have pooled our resources across Rolls-Royce to bring together a unique array of our equipment to meet the specification. To meet the high winterization and Polar Code 6 requirements, propellers and the main and auxiliary engines will be slightly larger.”

In what is an ambitious time frame, Rolls-Royce is scheduled to deliver equipment to the South Korean shipyard from 2018.

The vessel is scheduled for a 2020 delivery.

Commenting on the contract, Sam Cameron, Rolls-Royce, Senior Vice President Sales and Business Development – Naval, said: “We see significant value in the Environship concept in the naval sector. Winning this milestone contract is of considerable importance to our naval ship design offering, which is new to Rolls-Royce.

“We have worked with HHI on a number of vessels, but this the first project in which we will collaborate on the conceptual design requirement. We look forward to working with HHI in delivering the MSC Support Ship and providing through-life support to the New Zealand Navy.”