Rolls-Royce has been contracted to equip the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) new Polar-class logistics support vessel.

Under the contract, the company will supply a combined diesel electric and diesel (CODLAD) propulsion plant based on twin Bergen main engines which will drive through reduction gears, a controllable pitch propeller.

Rolls-Royce Power Systems will supply four MTU gensets to provide electricity for the vessel, as well as for other equipment such as switchboards, motors, drives, bow thruster and the electric RAS / FAS system.

The package also includes rotary vane steering gear and rudders, as well as propeller shafts.

Being built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) under New Zealand Defence Force’s Maritime Sustainment Capability (MSC) project, the new vessel will be based on Rolls-Royce Environship Leadge Bow concept design.

Rolls-Royce naval sales and business development senior vice-president Sam Cameron said: “We see significant value in the environship concept in the naval sector.

“Winning this milestone contract is of considerable importance to our naval ship design offering, which is new to Rolls-Royce.

“We have worked with HHI on a number of vessels, but this the first project in which we will collaborate on the conceptual design requirement.

"We look forward to working with HHI in delivering the MSC Support Ship and providing through-life support to the New Zealand Navy.”

"Featuring the wave-piercing hull form, the new 23,000t vessel will replace NZDF’s 30-year-old tanker HMNZS Endeavour."

Featuring the wave-piercing hull form, the new 23,000t vessel will replace NZDF’s 30-year-old tanker HMNZS Endeavour.

The vessel's design will meet NZDF’s requirement for a heavily winterised, ice–strengthened vessel capable of operating in hostile Antarctic environment.

Rolls-Royce is expected to start delivering equipment to HHI from 2018 and the vessel is slated to be delivered in 2020.

Image: NZDF’s new tanker will feature Rolls-Royce environship concept design. Photo: courtesy of Rolls-Royce plc.