Pioneering power in port operations | Rolls-Royce

Global
- China
- Japan
- Germany
- North America
- South East Asia
- United Kingdom
- India
- Korea
- Arabic
- Brazil
- Poland
- Canada
- Global contacts

We develop and deliver complex power and propulsion solutions.

For more than 100 years we have been at the forefront of innovation. Helping to power, protect and connect the modern world.

About

We develop and deliver complex power and propulsion solutions for safety-critical applications in the air, at sea and on land.

Our products and service packages enable our customers to connect people, societies, cultures and economies together.

Products & Services

Doing more with less

We have a fundamental role in meeting the environmental and societal opportunities and challenges that the world faces.

Sustainability

News centre

Updates and news from around the Rolls-Royce businesses.

Home

Media

Our stories

Pioneering power in port operations

In global port operations, efficiency is a balancing act between three critical areas: fuel consumption, fleet availability and emissions.

For 20 years, our mtu engines have been supporting operators around the world in navigating these challenges. Today, our engines have established themselves as the global benchmark for reliable tugboat propulsion – delivering the high performance, efficiency and reliability needed to face rising cost pressures and strict environmental regulations.

Engineered to reach full power in the shortest possible time and to enable precise maneuvering, they also offer an impressive service life of up to 25 years without a major overhaul – a decisive advantage for economical and reliable operation.

Showcasing variable speed solutions in Shanghai

In China, the “Harbor 712” project demonstrates a new hybrid propulsion concept for the future of sustainable port operations. Using our variable-speed mtu diesel engines, the harbour’s tugboats can flexibly adjust their output to actual demand, ensuring they always operate within the optimal range.

With the addition of an advanced battery system and fast-charging capabilities, fuel consumption is reduced and emissions drop by up to 20% while increasing reliability and extending maintenance intervals.

Delivering 90 tonnes of tug power in Turkey

Following the successful deployment of mtu propulsion systems on 14 tugs over two years, Turkey’s Uzmar Shipyard recently expanded its fleet capabilities by ordering ten additional mtu 16V 4000 M65L engines.

Each high-performance unit delivers 2,560 kW of power, enabling a pulling force of up to 90 tonnes. These high-speed engines are purpose-built for heavy-duty workboat operations, responding nimbly to accelerate and stabilise the massive container ships in demanding conditions and busy waterways.

Supporting the world’s largest vessels Peru

PSA Marine Peru is enhancing operations at the Port of Lima by expanding its fleet with two new harbour tugs. These compact 24-meter tugs rely on mtu Series 4000 M63L engines to deliver 2,240 kW – that’s 70-metric-tonnes of power to safely stabilise some of the world’s largest container ships.

The integration of an innovative Sydrive-M system allows one mtu engine to drive both thrusters during transit, drastically reducing engine hours, fuel burn and maintenance costs.

WATCH

Earning recognition in the USA

Two American mtu-powered tugboats – the Signet Sirius and Signet Capella – are the first in the USA to secure ABS ENVIRO and Low Emission Vessel (LEV) labels, featuring particulate emissions significantly below EPA Tier 4 mandates.

Each tugboat utilises three tier 4 mtu Series 12V 4000 M65L engines, delivering 1,920 kW of power alongside unparalleled manoeuvrability and environmental compliance – enhancing operations in the turbulent, high-current waters of the Texas Aransas Passage.

The tugboats were awarded the prestigious 2023 “Workboat of the Year” prize by WorkBoat magazine.

Going global with our long-standing customers

Leading global port and terminal infrastructure provider, Svitzer has relied on our mtu technologies to future-proof its operations for many years.

Svitzer’s two new TRAktor tugs mark the first deployment of high-speed engines in the Panama Canal, boasting high power density, rapid load response and long maintenance intervals of up to 72,000 hours. Meanwhile, at Costa Rica's Port of Puerto Limón, mtu-powered tugs have enabled the safe handling of up to 20 container ships per week for over eight years.

Today, 34 Svitzer tugs worldwide utilise twin 4,000-horsepower mtu engines to handle the extreme demands of ports across Canada, Europe, and Brazil.

Shaping the future of sustainable shipping

Today, over 500 mtu engines are in active service on tugboats worldwide, collectively delivering roughly 1,000 megawatts of power.

Looking forward, we will continue to drive the maritime energy transition by certifying our technologies for sustainable alternative fuels like Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), e-diesel and green methanol – ensuring that the next generation of tugboat shipping is as clean as it is powerful.