Rolls-Royce to power Malta’s new OPV

Italian shipbuilder Cantiere Navale Vittoria has awarded Rolls-Royce a contract for the supply of a marine propulsion package for the new offshore patrol vessel being built for the Armed Forces of Malta.

The 1800-ton, 74.8-meter, twin-screw vessel will get a pair of PROMAS controllable pitch propellers and rudders, SC722 FCP steering gear, a TT1300 bow thruster, a TT100 stern thruster, Fin Stabilisers, and a touch-screen remote control system with the CanMan Touch Joystick.

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.

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 Armed Forces of Malta.