ROLLS-ROYCE has acquired Servowatch Systems, a UK-based international supplier of integrated marine automation solutions for navies, commercial vessels and large yachts.

Representatives of Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems business unit and the company’s previous owner, Larsen & Toubro, signed the contracts on 1 December.

Servowatch, based in Heybridge, Essex, will significantly expand the ship automation division of the MTU product and solution brand of Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems business.

Andreas Schell, CEO Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said, “Servowatch’s modern and sophisticated range of automation and integrated bridge systems for government and commercial ships and large yachts is the ideal complement to continue to offer sophisticated total system solutions for marine propulsion systems and the entire ship automation sector.

“Building on a state of the art automation platform and connecting it with our MTU SmartBridge and Digital Solutions we consequently follow our system strategy and being able to provide a fully integrated bridge-to-propeller-solution for our customers,” Mr Schell added.

The new subsidary’s open automation systems will be fully integrated into MTU’s product range.

Knut Müller, vice president of the marine and governmental division of Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems business unit said, “We are the only engine manufacturer in the world that can also supply the electronic platform for monitoring and controlling the entire ship.

“With Servowatch, we will continue to expand this position and modernize our product portfolio.”

Servowatch employs approximately 35 people at its headquarters in Heybridge, with additional 11 people in India. Servowatch automation systems monitor and control the operation of numerous large ships, for example large yachts and government vessels – not only the propulsion system, but also numerous other functions such as heating and ventilation and power supply.