From Bridge to Propeller: Rolls-Royce and Azimut Benetti Group agreement for mtu propulsion systems for yachts

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From Bridge to Propeller: Rolls-Royce and Azimut Benetti Group agreement for mtu propulsion systems for yachts

12 September 2024

Rolls-Royce and the Italian yacht-building Azimut Benetti Group will be working more closely together on yacht propulsion systems. At the Cannes Yachting Festival, Denise Kurtulus (right), Senior Vice President Marine and Mining at Rolls-Royce's Power Systems division, and Marco Valle (left) CEO of the Azimut Benetti Group, presented the cooperation, that includes the delivery of integrated propulsion systems, consisting of mtu yacht engines, ZF pod drives and mtu NautIQ automation systems for the Azimut Grande series.
  • Four-year partnership and framework agreement on cooperation signed
  • Italian shipyard group increasingly focusing on mtu propulsion systems
  • Drives now for series yachts under up to 30 metres
  • Most powerful integrated engine-pod solution on the yacht market: ready-to-install powertrain with mtu engines, ZF pod drives and mtu NautIQ ship automation for Azimut “Grande” yacht line to provide 15% more efficiency compared to inboard shaft line and compact installation

Rolls Royce and Azimut Benetti Group, the world’s leading manufacturer of megayachts over 24 metres, will be working more closely together on yacht propulsion systems in the future. The two companies have agreed a partnership and a four-year framework agreement for mtu diesel engines for Azimut and Benetti yachts together with the introduction of integrated mtu propulsion systems for the Azimut Grande Series up to 30 metre. In the next future, the new models of the Azimut “Grande” Series will be equipped with complete, ready-to-install and particularly efficient propulsion systems consisting of mtu Series 2000 engines, ZF pod drives and mtu NautIQ marine automation. The co-operation also includes a wide range of services. Discussions are also underway regarding the delivery of integrated bridge solutions for the Azimut “Grande” Series.

Denise Kurtulus, Senior Vice President Global Marine at Rolls-Royce's Power Systems said:

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We are not only expanding our position as a premium supplier to the yacht industry, but also as a systems partner for our customers. And with the complete solution for the Azimut ‘Grande’ models, we are now also represented in the yacht class under 30 metres in length.”

The integrated pod drive solution shows its advantages in ship operation: With a 15% per cent higher efficiency compared to conventional drives, yachts can be operated with correspondingly lower carbon dioxide emissions, or cruise faster with the same fuel consumption. The swivelling pod also makes the yachts more maneuverable and reduces vibrations in the drive train. The additional installation of an electric motor on the pod makes it possible to upgrade it to a hybrid drive, for example to drive the yacht electrically in harbours or to hold its position dynamically.

Several configurations are available with outputs from 1,015 to 1,472 kilowatts - the most powerful engine-pod combination on the yacht market. The new Azimut Grande 30M will be equipped with mtu 12V2000M96 engines delivering 1342 kW and ZF pod drives of the new, more powerful 4900 variant. “The mtu NautIQ Blue Vision NG marine automation system, together with a ZF control system, monitors and controls all the functions of the drivetrain.”

Marco Valle, CEO of the Azimut Benetti Group said:

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We continue to invest in the pod technology, including through cooperation with companies like as Rolls-Royce with its mtu propulsion solutions, a reference in the large boat segment.”

Rolls-Royce will supply integrated propulsion systems consisting of mtu Series 2000 engines, the mtu NautIQ marine automation system and ZF pod drives for the new models in the “Azimut Grande” series from the Italian Azimut Benetti Group.

Azimut Benetti Group will also increasingly equip new megayachts with mtu propulsion systems from Rolls-Royce, consisting of mtu diesel engines, conventional transmissions and automation.

Alessandro Rossi, Azimut Benetti Group Chief Product Officer, said: “This agreement for the development of new technical solutions together with Rolls-Royce, consisting of mtu engines, and ZF Pods and mtu NautIQ automation is an important step in our strategy of continuous innovation, focus on offering visionary design solutions and improving environmental sustainability. In the new “Grande 30M”, the compact propulsion installation will offer the possibility to introduce an unmatched layout and unexpected spaces in three decks, while the technical characteristics of the pod are perfectly matching with our ’low emission yachts’ key factors, based on significant propulsion efficiency, weight reduction and innovative naval architecture.”

“Our long-term, customer-oriented concept of supporting our yacht customers with the Yacht Competence Centre in La Spezia is bearing fruit," said Gianluca Bononi, Managing Director of the Italian subsidiary Rolls-Royce Solutions Italia. The integrated systems with perfectly harmonised components are the result of intensive cooperation with design offices and shipyards, whose requirements, wishes and ideas were directly incorporated into the development work. The complete mtu package for yacht builders, owners and crew also includes comprehensive service offerings via the global mtu network of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, from extended warranty to Premium Yacht Service.

Rolls-Royce will deliver the first mtu propulsion package this year so that Azimut will be able to deliver the first yachts in its successful “Grande” Series with the mtu drivetrain as early as 2025.

“We are convinced that this agreement will not only be the basis of a successful partnership. In fact, we see great potential in the development of the yacht models of the future thanks to the technological expertise of all those involved," said Gianluca Bononi.

Press photos for download can be found at Media Centre (mtu-solutions.com)

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc
  1. Rolls-Royce develops and delivers 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; they meet the growing need for power generation across multiple industries; and enable governments to equip their armed forces with the power to protect.
  2. Rolls-Royce has a presence in 48 countries and customers in more than 150, comprising over 250 commercial large aero engine customers, 160 armed forces and navies and approximately 40,000 active Power Systems customers. We are committed to becoming a net zero company by 2050 and we support our customers to do the same.
  3. Annual underlying revenue was £15.4bn in 2023, underlying operating profit was £1.6bn and free cash flow £1.3bn.
  4. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is publicly traded company (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY, LEI: 213800EC7997ZBLZJH69).
  5. Rolls-Royce Power Systems is headquartered in Friedrichshafen in southern Germany and employs more than 10,500 people. The product portfolio includes mtu-brand high-speed engines and propulsion systems for ships, heavy land, rail and defence vehicles and for the oil and gas industry. The portfolio also includes diesel and gas systems and battery solutions for mission critical, standby and continuous power, combined generation of heat and power, and microgrids. With its climate friendly technologies, Rolls-Royce Power Systems is helping to drive the energy transition.

www.rolls-royce.com

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