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20 years of power for the port: mtu engines from Rolls-Royce power tugs worldwide

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Tuesday 19 May 2026 09:00 AM

20 years of power for the port: mtu engines from Rolls-Royce power tugs worldwide

Rolls-Royce’s mtu engines have been powering tugs around the world for 20 years and have established themselves as a trusted brand in this demanding sector. In the picture: Signet Sirius and Signet Capella, ships of the year 2023 in the USA. Each tug of the Signet Maritime shipyard is powered by three mtu Series 4000 engines.

A proven track record spanning 20 years: over 500 mtu engines from Rolls-Royce in service on tugboats worldwide
Designed for tough port operations: the mtu portfolio offers high performance, efficiency and reliability
Ready for the future: Rolls-Royce is committed to new technologies and sustainable fuels

Rolls-Royce’s mtu engines have been powering tugs around the world for 20 years and have established themselves as a trusted brand in this demanding sector. In 2025, Rolls-Royce recorded its most successful year to date in this segment with its highest sales figures ever, and the company is continuing this success in 2026, having already sold propulsion systems for 17 tugs. More than 500 mtu engines are currently in service on tugs worldwide, collectively delivering around 1,000 megawatts of power to waterways.

“It has proven its worth that we have continuously developed our portfolio and tailored it to the needs of port operations. Thanks to their high performance, efficiency and reliability, mtu engines support the productivity of shipping companies that are grappling with rising cost pressures, stricter emissions and efficiency regulations, and high demands on availability and operational reliability,” explained Andreas Görtz, President of the Mobile & Sustainable Business Unit at Rolls-Royce Power Systems. At the International Tug & Salvage Convention 2026, Rolls-Royce will be presenting its latest mtu technologies for tugboats.

Fast, powerful, durable

Rolls-Royce’s mtu engines have been powering tugboats around the world for 20 years and have established themselves as a trusted brand. With high performance, efficiency and reliability, Rolls-Royce has further developed its engines specifically for the demanding conditions of port operations. Pictured: Rolls-Royce engineers inspect an mtu Series 4000 M65L engine before it is delivered to a shipyard for installation on a tugboat.

Fast, powerful, durable

“The high-speed mtu engines of the Series 4000 M65L have been specially developed for heavy-duty use in workboats in the power range up to 3,200 kilowatts. They reach full power in just a few seconds. This enables them to accelerate extremely quickly and respond to the movements of the container ships, which they manoeuvre into port with up to 90 tonnes of bollard pull,” said Andreas Müller-Hirlinger, Sales Manager Tug & Workboat at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

mtu marine engines have the decisive advantage of offering a leading service life of up to 25 years without a major overhaul. This means that operators can significantly reduce the lifecycle costs of their vessels with mtu engines and increase their availability.

Looking ahead

Rolls-Royce is increasingly focusing on sustainable fuels and new technologies for its marine engines. The key mtu engines are approved for renewable diesel (HVO), e-diesel and other fuels in accordance with EN 15940; the company is also working on solutions for green methanol.

High-tech from Shanghai to Rio de Janeiro

One example of this technological advancement is a harbour tug in Shanghai, which has been powered by variable-speed mtu diesel units and batteries since 2023. The system automatically adjusts the speed to suit the operation, ensuring more economical and dynamic performance.

Turkish tugboat builders such as Uzmar, Med Marine and Sanmar rely on mtu propulsion systems. The internationally renowned operators of these harbour, terminal and offshore tugs include the MSC Group’s Medtug, Boluda, Svitzer, Maersk and the Indian logistics giant Adani Ports.

Read also our story Variable speed in action

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

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

Rolls-Royce is a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. Our products and service packages help our customers meet the growing need for power across multiple industries; enable governments to equip their armed forces with the power required to protect their citizens; and connect people, societies, cultures and economies together.
Rolls-Royce has a local presence in 47 countries and customers in over a hundred more, including airlines and aircraft leasing companies, armed forces and navies, and marine and industrial customers.
Through our multi-year transformation programme, we are building a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing Rolls-Royce. We are building the financial capacity and agility to allow us to successfully develop and deliver the products that will support our customers through the energy transition.
Annual underlying revenue was £20.1 billion in 2025, and underlying operating profit was £3.46 billion.
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is a publicly traded company (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY, LEI: 213800EC7997ZBLZJH69).
Rolls-Royce Power Systems is headquartered in Friedrichshafen in southern Germany and employs more than 11,000 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 containers 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.

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