PRESS RELEASE

Rolls-Royce and Singapore Institute of Technology to research automation for harbour crafts, autonomous and hybrid ships

Posted on March 28, 2025

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Rolls-Royce and the Singapore Institute of Technology have entered into a collaboration to develop innovative technologies to enhance Equipment Health Management and Fleet Management for autonomous ships during Singapore Maritime Week 2025. Participants of the signing were: (left to right) Mr Tan Cheng Peng, Director (Applied Research Partnership), SIT; Associate Professor Tay Chuan Beng, Acting Cluster Director of Engineering, SIT; Professor Susanna Leong, Vice President (Applied Research), SIT; Kevin Daffey, SVP Mobile Automation & Electrical, Rolls-Royce Power Systems; Chew Xiang Yu, Director Marine APAC, Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia, and Associate Professor Sivakumar Nadarajan, Engineering, SIT. JPG, 976 KB

The multi-role patrol boat MPA Guardian of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is the pilot vessel for a collaboration between Rolls-Royce and Singapore Institute of Technology to develop an electronic monitoring and fleet management system for autonomous and hybrid vessels. The hybrid vessel, equipped with two mtu 16V2000 engines, will use the mtu NautIQ Foresight automation system to collect data and optimize operations before the technology can be applied to other vessels. JPG, 1 MB

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  • Research partnership signed at Singapore Maritime Week
  • Objective: to develop innovative technologies to enhance Equipment Health Management and Fleet Management for hybrid and autonomous ships and harbour crafts
  • The patrol craft ‘MPA Guardian’ of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore will serve as a pilot vessel

Rolls-Royce and the Singapore Institute of Technology have entered into a collaboration to develop innovative technologies to enhance Equipment Health Management and Fleet Management for harbour crafts, autonomous ships and ships with hybrid propulsion systems during Singapore Maritime Week. The aim is to improve ships with hybrid and electric propulsion systems and entire fleets in terms of availability, fuel consumption and emissions by further developing the automation solution.

The multipurpose patrol craft ‘MPA Guardian’ of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore will be used as the pilot vessel. The hybrid vessel, which is equipped with two mtu 16V2000 engines, will be fitted with the equipment health management system mtu NautIQ Foresight to collect data and optimise operations. This will showcase how the technology can be applied to other ships.

“SIT’s collaboration with Rolls-Royce will drive the future of intelligent and sustainable maritime operations. This partnership reflects SIT’s commitment to applied research that delivers real-world impact - leveraging AI, advanced analytics, and condition monitoring to enhance ship autonomy, optimise fleet performance, and reduce carbon emissions. SIT will contribute our expertise in intelligent systems and sustainability-driven innovations, while working with industry captains to develop practical solutions that address the evolving needs of the maritime sector,” said Professor Susanna Leong, Vice President (Applied Research) at Singapore Institute of Technology.

“We see the joint research project as an important step in the further development of autonomous ships and ships with hybrid technologies. Singapore, as a centre for sustainable shipping, is the ideal location for this outstanding project, with all the progressive institutions we are partnering with here. We are thus promoting the reduction of CO2 emissions and supporting our customers with digital systems and even better service in line with our strategic goals,” explained Kevin Daffey, Senior Vice President of Mobile Automation at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

  1. Rolls-Royce is a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. Our products and service packages help our customers meet the growing need for power across multiple industries; enable governments to equip their armed forces with the power required to protect their citizens; and connect people, societies, cultures and economies together.
  2. Rolls-Royce has a local presence in 48 countries and customers in over a hundred more, including airlines and aircraft leasing companies, armed forces and navies, and marine and industrial customers. 
  3. Through our multi-year transformation programme, we are building a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing Rolls-Royce. We are building the financial capacity and agility to allow us to successfully develop and deliver the products that will support our customers through the energy transition.
  4. Annual underlying revenue was £17.8 billion in 2024, and underlying operating profit was £2.46 billion.
  5. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is a publicly traded company (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY, LEI: 213800EC7997ZBLZJH69)5.
  6. Rolls-Royce Power Systems is headquartered in Friedrichshafen in southern Germany and employs more than 10,350 people. The product portfolio includes mtu-brand high-speed engines and propulsion systems for ships, heavy land, rail and defence vehicles and for the oil and gas industry. The portfolio also includes diesel and gas systems and battery containers for mission critical, standby and continuous power, combined generation of heat and power, and microgrids. With its climate friendly technologies, Rolls-Royce Power Systems is helping to drive the energy transition.

www.rolls-royce.com

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