Rolls-Royce acquires marine automation specialist Servowatch

Servowatch, a leading supplier of integrated ship control systems, is now part of Rolls-Royce. and will significantly expand the ship automation division of the MTU product and solution brand of Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems business. [Image; Roll

Aiming to significantly expand the ship automation division of its MTU brand, Rolls-Royce has acquired U.K.-based integrated marine automation solutions specialist Servowatch Systems from India’s Larsen & Toubro.

The new subsidary’s open automation systems will be fully integrated into MTU’s product range. The new subsidary’s open automation systems will be fully integrated into MTU’s product range.

“With our Bluevision and Callosum systems, we have positioned ourselves excellently in the market for ship automation over the past two and a half decades. We are the only engine manufacturer in the world that can also supply the electronic platform for monitoring and controlling the entire ship. With Servowatch, we will continue to expand this position and modernize our product portfolio,” said Knut Müller, Vice President of the Marine and Governmental Division of Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems business unit.

Servowatch employs approximately 35 people at its headquarters in Heybridge, Essex, with additional 11 people in India. Its automation systems monitor and control the operation of numerous large ships, for example large yachts and government vessels, covering not only the propulsion system, but also many other functions such as heating and ventilation and power supply.

“Servowatch is completely complementary to what we do in marine automation,” Kevin Daffey Director Marine Systems & Automation at Rolls-Royces’ Power Systems business unit said. “Our new family member is focused on ships generally powered by high speed diesel engines and an integrated system based around their world class Winmon9 software. The integration with MTU products will help us add more lifecycle services through on-board data collection and edge analytics to inform the ship’s crew about vessel performance.”

Wayne Ross, Managing Director Servowatch Systems says: “The team at Servowatch are very pleased and proud to be joining Rolls-Royce Power Systems and see very positively the synergy of products, also the focus on innovation and customer service, that is the recognized hallmark of Rolls-Royce globally. We look forward to contributing our efforts and products to the group, also to our further development as a business unit, under Rolls-Royce ownership.”