Printable version11.06.2009
Rolls-Royce is a brand name that oozes of tradition, high quality and innovative business. The company can trace its roots in the marine industry back as far as 1849, and it has been in the forefront of the development of many groundbreaking technologies. From the controllable pitch propeller, tunnel thruster and nuclear propulsion for Royal Navy submarines to marine aero-derivative gas turbines, waterjets and innovative offshore vessel designs. But even old, traditional enterprises face challenges in the current financial crisis.
– We see a decrease in our order books, as most other players in our field these days. But that might not be a disadvantage, Robert Løseth says. He is Senior Vice President at Rolls-Royce Merchant. – On the other hand we are experiencing new opportunities as ship yards are able to accommodate our needs quickly and build on our improved specification at any yard in the world. Only a year ago, it was impossible to show up with a new concept and expect the ship yard to be on board. Today, we notice a much larger degree of flexibility for our new concepts, explains Robert Løseth.
However, a big part of the problem remains. – Many shipowners are reluctant to conclude a project. It could be due to a lack of financing. To us it is of great importance to convey on the message that there are financial partners out there who can help. Such as Eksportfinans, Robert Løseth continues. Rolls-Royce is no laggard in finding new opportunities, even in times of global economic downturn. – The market is moving into more integrated systems and the recent acquisition of Scandinavian Electrical Systems enables us to offer a greater range of energy-efficient propulsion system options for vessels and deliver solutions closely matched to customer specifications, Robert Løseth says.
Supporting environmentally-friendly innovations
In December 2008, just a few months after the fall of Lehman Brothers, a new law was passed by International Maritime Organization. It demands lower emission levels of CO2 and NOx (nitrogen oxide) from 2015 and 2016.
– It is important to build engines which are able to keep emissions at a minimum level, and to start these environmentally friendly innovations now. We cannot wait for the deadline in 2015. In this aspect, Rolls–Royce is in the forefront of de velopment within the merchant sector, explains Robert Løseth.
The commodity prices and prices of fuel will continue to influence decisions in the shipping industry. – The trend towards more environmentally-friendly marine products is set to advance at a steady pace. It is obviously of great value to design new products which are environmentally friendly, but they also have to be cost effective. We aim at being at the leading edge of available technology, and ensure the provision of both fuel-efficient and environmentally-compatible solutions, Robert Løseth explains. – Coastal ferries in Norway, seeking to reduce NOx emissions and meet future Sulsphure requirements, are now installing Bergen Gas engines fuelled by LNG on their routes. An additional benefit is also that CO2 emissions will be reduced by 25 percent. This is a cost effective solution that we aim to export to other countries, with substantial interest from both European and North American owners that will face Emission Control Areas requirements shortly, Robert Løseth concludes.