Rolls-Royce Propulsion for Malta's OPV

Rolls-Royce has secured a contract with Italian shipbuilder Cantiere Navale Vittoria for the supply of a marine propulsion package to a new Offshore Patrol Vessel under construction for the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM).

The 1800ton displacement, 74.8 meter, twin-screw vessel will feature a Rolls-Royce scope of supply that includes a pair of PROMAS controllable pitch propellers and rudders, SC722 FCP steering gear, a TT1300 bow thruster, a TT100 stern thruster, Fin Stabilizers, and a touch-screen remote control system that incorporates the novel CanMan Touch Joystick for all units.

Rolls-Royce will also be integrating the various operation modes of the hybrid Diesel-electric-propulsion modes via a power take-in (PTI) for lower patrolling speeds of up to 12 knots. This will ensure lower through-life operating costs.

The vessel will be designed to conduct border control operations in addition to other duties such as search and rescue, replenishment-at-sea and helicopter operations.

A key advantage to operations will be the portable Rolls-Royce CanMan Touch Joystick, which navigating officers can use to maneuver the ship remotely from the bridge wings in addition to conventional/independent propulsion controls. It is suitable for a wide range of vessels to control and monitor engines, fixed pitch and controllable pitch propellers and systems with multiple bow and stern tunnel thrusters.

When delivered in 2020, P71 (Hull No. C.0890) will be the largest patrol vessel to emerge from the Vittoria shipyard and the flagship of the AFM complementing OPV P61 Saettia-Class patrol vessel, fulfilling AFM’s requirement for a vessel with greater endurance, sea-keeping and maneuvering capabilities and improved life-cycle costs, including fuel consumption and maintenance.