Rolls-Royce wins propulsion and deck machinery contract from ECO

Rolls-Royce has secured a €38m contract to provide propulsion and deck machinery for 13 new tugs owned by Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO).

The tugs are currently being designed and built at Chouest-affiliated shipyards in the US.

Once complete, the five vessels will become the world’s largest tugs, each with a length of 45m and 17m width. Five of the 13 tugs will have a direct bollard pull of around 150t.

As part of the deal, Rolls-Royce will deliver both large azimuth thrusters and winch packages, which will allow tugs to efficiently perform their main duties such as general harbour assistance, braking or steering the vessel, and deepsea towing.

Rolls-Royce marine president Mikael Makinen said: “This contract underlines our capability to supply mission critical equipment to customers undertaking demanding towing operations, where safety at sea, high-power and responsive manoeuvrability are all essential factors.”

"Once complete, the five vessels will become the world’s largest tugs."

The company said that of the 13 tugs, eight will be equipped with two US 255 Fixed Pitch thrusters, and five will be powered by US 60 controllable pitch propellers.

Rolls-Royce will also provide towing and auxiliary winches for all the 13 vessels.

Last week, the company was contracted to deliver power and propulsion equipment for a new high-speed luxury ferry to be operated by New Jersey, US-based, Seastreak.

Designed to carry up to 600 passengers, the vessel will operate between the US’ Monmouth County, New Jersey and Wall Street in less than 40 minutes at a speed of 35k.

Image: Rolls-Royce to power ECO’s 13 new tugs. Photo: courtesy of Rolls-Royce plc.