Rolls-Royce Gets Ship of the Year Award

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Friday September 7, 2012

Rolls-Royce has won the "Ship of the Year" award at the SMM marine industry trade show in Hamburg for a new ship designed to transport hazardous chemicals safely to and from oil and gas platforms.

The ship, the Far Solitaire, features a bow designed to cut through waves rather than riding over them to reduce fuel use and improve crew comfort and safety.

The ship, which will enter service with Farstad Shipping in the North Sea in October, is the third vessel designed by Rolls-Royce to win the SMM award in the past five years.

"Far Solitaire represents a new era for our offshore vessel designs and combines a wide range of sophisticated marine technology and the latest hull design to deliver significant improvements in efficiency, both through fuel consumption and increased cargo capacity," said Tony Wood, Rolls-Royce, President – Marine.

SMM organisers said the selection of the Far Solitaire reflects the importance of the offshore segment for shipbuilding and noted that the ship was designed to carry larger quantities of chemicals and toxic fluids than other vessels of its kind.

"The offshore market is more than a niche – it is the innovation and technology driver for the whole of the industry in Norway," said Ole Henaes, Director General Norwegian Maritime Exporters (NME).

Rolls-Royce's Marine division brought in revenues of £2.3 billion ($3.7 billion) in fiscal year 2011, representing 20 percent of earnings for the global power systems and services company, according to its financial statements.

Ship & Bunker News Team
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