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Brown Brothers News

18 Dec 2003

Feature: Queen Mary 2 New Technology Melded to the North Atlantic Tradition

Confounding the skeptics who said the 70,300-gt Queen Elizabeth 2 would be the last transatlantic liner ever built, the 150,000-gt Queen Mary 2 is set to make her service debut in January 2004, signifying a $780-million investment in a luxury passenger ship structurally engineered for the North Atlantic. Destined to uphold and revitalize the Cunard liner tradition, the 30-knot QM2 will break new ground in passenger ship technology, while incorporating lessons learned with the 1969-commissioned QE2. The challenge of fulfilling an extremely tough schedule in a notoriously harsh environment, and of meeting rising customer expectations as to service quality, comfort and reliability in all conditions, permeates every aspect of the technical design.

08 Mar 2004

Technical: Homing in on Ships' Electrics

Power systems specialist Rolls-Royce now derives nearly $1.5 billion of total annual sales of $8.7 billion from the marine market, and an important element of its growth strategy in the marine domain is the development of its electrical capabilities, products and technology. The increasing use of electrical drives and other sub-systems, and a move towards highly automated, integrated shipboard networks, is evident in both the commercial and naval sectors, in the technology-intensive, specialized vessel categories which form the group's heartland business areas. The success of electrical power and propulsion systems in application to high capacity cruise vessels has proved to be one of the most significant technological developments in commercial shipping over the past decade and a half…

16 Mar 2002

New Stabilizer Design Is Beneficial to Cruise Industry

Rolls-Royce has broken ground yet again within the cruise realm with a new version of its well-known Brown Brothers Neptune folding fin stabilizer, offering easier maintenance without dry docking.The original folding fin stabilizer has proven itself in the commercial and naval marine sector with more than 90 sold in the last 12 years, including four – each with a fin area of 15.6 sq. m. – for Queen Mary 2. The new version, which will become available in Autumn 2003, and is suitable for cruise vessels, ferries and container vessels, features a ram arrangement that allows tilt cylinder and seal maintenance without dry docking for the first time. Weight has also been reduced by 10 percent and one oil will cover both the hydraulic and lubrication system.

25 May 2000

The Strong Get Stronger

Consolidation in the maritime industry is not something new. In the past five years, oil majors such as Exxon and Mobil, and BP, Amoco and Arco have all consolidated. Shipyards haven't been immune to mergers, either; as Halter was purchased by Friede Goldman; and Litton Ingalls consolidated with Avondale. But, when equipment manufacturers begin to consolidate, the effects aren't quite as obvious. In the past five years, Caterpillar acquired MaK and, more recently, Sabre. And Rolls-Royce has joined the buying frenzy with such zeal and aggression, it's almost easier to list companies not owned by the propulsion giant. Part of the ambiguity of the merger between equipment manufacturers is, typically, the existing product line is still maintained; just owned and distributed by the new company.

20 Feb 2001

Queen Mary 2: Cunard's Answer to Royalty on the Seas

Despite the threat of overcapacity in the cruise shipping industry, newbuilding contracts have remained on a constant high — specifically in the mega ship sector. This new trend, which seems to have taken on a life of its own in the industry, beginning with Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas, has carried over to Cunard, which has hired Chantiers de l’ Atlantique to construct what is set to be the world’s largest ocean liner. Measuring 1,131 ft. 345 m) with a 131 ft. (40 m) beam, the $780 million vessel, according to its designers at Tillberg Design, will exemplify the classic British style that is representative of Cunard. By Regina P.

16 Jan 2001

The Doctor is "in"

The responsibility of melding, developing and profitably leading one of the world's most prolific high-technology marine companies is, to say the least, a daunting task. Assuming the post with no marine industry experience would seemingly make the job all the more difficult. But Dr. Saul Lanyado enters his position as the new president of the Rolls-Royce Marine division armed with years of engineering and business success and savvy. Maritime Reporter recently sat with Dr. Lanyado in his Buckingham Gate, London office to discuss the company's current endeavors and future developments. At the outset of a discussion regarding Rolls-Royce's marine business, it is immediately evident the direction in which one of the world's new leading players in marine propulsion is heading.

27 Jun 2002

Rolls-Royce Completes Queen Mary 2 Order

The last 40 ft. long stabilizer bound for French shipyards to complete the construction of Queen Mary 2 leaves Rolls-Royce’s Dunfermline site this week. Each stabilizer will be loaded on to a flatbed trailer and will require a police escort to Rosyth where it will then be shipped to Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France where the Queen Mary 2 is under construction. The fins, when fitted, will extend from the hull below the ship’s water line to provide enhanced stability at sea. Rolls-Royce, which manufactures the world-famous Brown Brothers range of ship stabilizers, has taken a year to complete the four 100 ton, folding fin stabilizers- each the size of a two story house for the luxury liner.

11 May 2001

Rolls-Royce to Supply Podded Propulsion, Deck Machinery for QM2

Rolls-Royce has won two new contracts to supply podded propulsion systems and deck machinery for Queen Mary 2, the new luxury cruise liner to be built for Cunard Line at Alstom Chantiers de l'Atlantique in France. It has also won contracts to supply podded propulsors to three other cruise ships. The total value of these contracts is approximately $21.2 million. Dr. Saul Lanyado, president - Marine for Rolls-Royce, said: "These contracts bring the total value of equipment orders we have won in Commercial Marine so far this year to more than $241.1 million. They are also another illustration of the wide range of products we are able to offer to the cruise and ferry industry. Rolls-Royce will supply four Mermaid podded propulsion systems for Queen Mary 2, the largest ocean liner ever built.

12 Nov 1999

Rolls-Royce Proposes $933 Million Offer for Vickers

In yet another case of giant-eating-giant consolidation, Rolls-Royce Plc has made a surprise $933 million agreed cash offer for Vickers Plc, in a move aimed at making Rolls-Royce the global leader in marine power systems. The acquisition would place a significant portion of marine propulsion products - including the Ulstein, Aquamaster, Kamewa, Rauma, Brown Brothers and Mitchell Bearings brands - in one company's control, affecting operators of all vessel types, from VLCCs to tugboats. Ironically, the move comes just as Vickers put the finishing touches on its own revived industrial empire, by acquiring several marine propulsion equipment suppliers in order to dominate a once fragmented piece of the international maritime market.

27 Aug 1999

Vickers Positions For Marine Propulsion Domination

Vickers PLC has recently made a major commitment to the marine market, most recently with its acquisition of Norwegian propulsion company Ulstein Holding for $476.8 million. Maritime Week contacted Vickers PLC CEO, Baron Paul Buysse for his take on this venture, as well as his inside strategies and goals for the future of the new company. MW: Why the heavy investment in marine at this point in time? Where do you see growth opportunities in short-term? Long-term? PB: After the divestment of Rolls Royce and Cosworth, Vickers plc was left with three strong engineering divisions: Defense, Turbine Components and Marine. In the Marine division we have very strong brand names such as Kamewa, Rauma, Aquamaster, Brown Brothers and Michell Bearings.