Rolls milestone in US market

Rolls-Royce said it is delivering its first new-generation mtu Series 2000 engines for a yacht to be built in the US.

Rolls-Royce will provide two 16V 2000 M97L engines with integrated SCR system and a power output of 2600 bhp each. The engines will be installed in a Westport 125 yacht. Rolls-Royce is also delivering its automation solution mtu NautIQ Blue Vision NG for monitoring and control of the yacht’s propulsion system. The engines comply with the strict emissions regulations IMO 3 and EPA Tier 3 Recreational.

The 38 m yacht will be built in Westport Yachts’ shipyard in Westport, Washington, USA. The project continues the cooperation between Rolls-Royce, distributor Pacific Power Group, and Westport which includes a long history of projects over more than 30 years.

“It’s fantastic to be pioneering our new and most environmentally friendly generation of the proven mtu Series 2000 with our partner Westport,” said Christof von Bank, director, Marine, Americas at Rolls-Royce business unit Power Systems. “This is an important milestone for the next evolutionary stage of this engine series as well as for our efforts to become a provider of integrated sustainable solutions.”

The new generation mtu Series 16V 2000 M97L engines are equipped with integrated Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems designed to significantly reducing nitrogen oxide emissions. The IMO 3 certification of the propulsion system will enable the Westport 125 to sail in particularly emissions-protected areas, which are defined as ECA zones, such as the US & Canadian coast, and the North and Baltic Seas. The first pre-series engines of the new Series 2000 generation were delivered to a customer in 2021. Series engines are now available for sale and further engine variants will gradually be added to the portfolio.

Rolls-Royce to deliver mtu Series 2000 IMO 3 yacht engines to US for first time. (Image: Rolls-Royce)

“We are proud to have Rolls-Royce’s cleanest mtu marine engines in our newest motoryacht,” said Daryl Wakefield, president of Westport Yachts. “They ensure maximum power, reliability and ease of mind to our customers who can concentrate on enjoying their yachting adventures.”

Rolls-Royce said it will approve the use of sustainable fuels, such as synthetic diesel (second-generation biofuels or e-diesel) from 2023 in the new generation of its mtu Series 2000 and 4000 engines, enabling climate-neutral operation in almost all applications. In addition to the use of sustainable fuels, the company is also building on new technologies such as CO2-free fuel cell systems and methanol engines. Smart-ship solutions that help captains with situational awareness and navigational assistance are also expected to help reduce CO2 emissions and increase safety onboard.