New ship designs and equipment developments will enable UT-Design to meet customers' needs and help shape the industry in the future, as it has in the past.

The offshore vessel market has been characterised by a cyclical demand for supply boats and anchor handlers of different sizes and powers. This situation is likely to continue in the future and to meet this Rolls-Royce is introducing 'next generation' UT-Design vessels both to suit the general requirements of the market and to meet the specific
needs of individual operators.

Next-generation UT 770 series will provide the ship owner and charterer with a range of supply vessels which are designed to be effective tools, economical to operate and a safe environment for their crews. Hullform is optimised for low resistance and minimum motions in a seaway, assisted by an efficient passive tank stabilising system.

Diesel electric drive with Azipull thrusters for propulsion would be the first choice, though other options are available. The new UT 780 series anchor handlers bring the latest in deck equipment for efficiency and safety.

Maximising bollard pull is a major consideration, so two or four engines
driving controllable pitch (CP) propellers remain a good solution. These next generation anchor handling tug supply vessels (AHTS) are also designed to operate efficiently in dynamic positioning mode, and for this diesel electric power is used for bow and stern tunnel thrusters and a swing-up or combi-azimuthing bow thruster.