Rolls-Royce has delivered its 1,000th azimuth thruster. Together with the number 1001 the US 255 FP azimuth thruster it is for a new Damen ASD2913 tug.

Damen’s first ASD tug design with Rolls-Royce US azimuth thrusters was delivered in 1993 but the relationship between Rolls-Royce and Damen goes much further back.

Ronald Lindeman, Rolls-Royce, Marine Head of Sales, Central Europe West, looks back: »In 1983, before its acquisition by Rolls-Royce, Rauma-based Aquamaster supplied the first retractable thruster for installation to the anchor handling tug »Damen Dragon Fly«. In 2002 the ASD 2810 tug design was introduced and is today one of the world’s most popular tug designs.« According to the manufacturer more than 420 of its azimuth thrusters have been delivered to this series. According to Rolls-Royce Damen is its biggest customer for this type of thruster.

According to own information Rolls-Royce is investing 44 mill. £ in its production plant for azimuth thrusters in Rauma. The work to transform the facility in Finland is underway and is due for completion in 2020 the company stated.