Rolls-Royce to supply azimuth thrusters for 18 tugs in China

Rolls-Royce has received £18m of orders for the supply of azimuth thrusters to power 18 new tugs that are under construction in Chinese shipyards.

The thrusters include an electric motor and a propeller which, as a combined unit, can be rotated horizontally in any direction to manoeuvre the vessel without the need for a rudder.

The company said that 12 new tugs will be delivered to Qingdao and Yingkou Ports, four of which will be the most powerful under operation in China.

China-based Tangshan and Tangshan Cao Feidian Ports have also placed orders for a total of six tugs.