UK-based Rolls-Royce has purchased Servowatch Systems for an undisclosed amount from Indian engineering group Larsen & Toubro
This investment expands its ship automation division, which includes the MTU product brand of Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems business.
“Servowatch’s modern range of automation and integrated bridge systems for government, commercial ships and large yachts is the ideal complement to offer sophisticated total system solutions for marine propulsion systems and the entire ship automation sector,” said Rolls-Royce Power Systems chief executive Andreas Schell.
“Building on an automation platform and connecting it with our MTU SmartBridge and digital solutions, we follow our system strategy to provide fully integrated bridge-to-propeller-solutions,” Mr Schell added.
Essex-based Servowatch has 46 employees, 35 in the UK and 11 in India. Its open automation systems will be fully integrated into MTU’s product range, said Rolls-Royce Power Systems business unit vice president for marine and governmental Knut Müller.
“With our Bluevision and Callosum systems, we have positioned ourselves excellently in the market for ship automation over the past two and a half decades,” Mr Müller explained. “We are the only engine manufacturer that can also supply the electronic platform for monitoring and controlling the entire ship. With Servowatch, we will continue to expand this position and modernise our product portfolio.”
Servowatch’s automation systems monitor and control the operation of propulsion systems and other onboard functions, such as heating, ventilation and power supply.
Rolls-Royce Power Systems business director for marine systems and automation Kevin Daffey said integrating Servowatch with MTU products “will help us add more lifecycle services through onboard data collection and edge analytics to inform the ship’s crew about vessel performance.”
Servowatch focused on ships mainly powered by high-speed diesel engines and an integrated system based around its Winmon9 software.
MTU presented its technology as an exhibitor at Riviera’s Offshore Support Journal, Asia virtual conference on 2-3 December.
Engine and automation technology will be discussed in depth during Riviera’s Maritime Air Pollution, Asia Webinar Week, 14-17 December - use this link for more details and to register for these events
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