Rolls-Royce has been awarded a £19m contract to deliver deck machinery for four ocean going tugs, designed by Ulstein Design & Solutions, for Dutch company ALP Maritime Services. The vessels will be constructed in Japan by Niigata Shipbuilding & Repair.

The vessels are being developed for towing large structures like oil rigs and floating production units over long distances. The bollard pull for each of the four vessels will be 300 tons and they will be equipped for anchor handling.

John Knudsen, Rolls-Royce, President Offshore, said: "This project is a good example of how our solid industry know-how makes us a partner of choice for innovative ship owners and design teams. The new vessels will place ALP Maritime Services in the elite division for large offshore towing operations across the world."

The deck machinery delivered from Rolls-Royce will include a complete low pressure winch solution and a stern roller. The towing/anchor handling winches are specially developed in cooperation with the ship designer and owner. The supply of rudder and steering gear is also included in the Rolls-Royce scope.

Intended for world-wide operations, the vessels will be delivered from Japan by Q1 2016. They will be of Ulstein design SX157, developed especially for this project.

Tore Ulstein, Ulstein Group, Deputy CEO, said: "This is a very important contract involving activities in a new market for us and with a new customer. The contract is a result of close cooperation with the shipyard, the ship owner and our partners in the Norwegian maritime cluster, a cooperation we will work to develop further in the years to come."

Rolls-Royce