Rolls-Royce installs innovative Promas Lite propulsion system on Star Cruises’ largest Asian fleet cruise ship SuperStar Virgo

London, UK, 27-5-2014 — /EuropaWire/ — Rolls-Royce has installed the innovative Promas Lite propulsion system on SuperStar Virgo, the first vessel in South East Asia to be equipped with this efficient and fuel saving system. Promas Lite is an integrated propeller and rudder system that increases efficiency and is designed specifically for retrofitting to existing ships.

Norwegian Spirit operated by Star Cruises’ subsidiary Norwegian Cruise Line was the first vessel in the fleet to be installed with Promas Lite in 2011. The efficiency gains and fuel saving benefits from the first upgrade has resulted in this subsequent order from Star Cruises.

Andrew Marsh, Rolls-Royce, President – Services said: “We highly appreciate the trust given to us by Star Cruises through this second order. As Asia Pacific’s leading cruise operator, they recognise that using the Promas Lite solution will substantially reduce emissions and the operating costs of SuperStar Virgo.”

Typical fuel savings for Promas Lite range from 5 to 15 per cent, depending on the type of operation and the performance of the existing propeller.  A cruise ship like SuperStar Virgo can expect to generate £800,000 annually in fuel savings and a corresponding CO2 emission reduction of around 4,000 tonnes per year by converting to Promas Lite. The estimated payback period is two years.

Fleet Captain Gustaf Gronberg, Senior Vice President of Marine Operations & Newbuilding, Star Cruises, said: “The cruise industry is dependent on reliable, innovative technologies which are able to meet stricter environmental regulations and achieve return on investment quickly. Based on our previous positive experience with Rolls-Royce, we are confident that this upgrade will enable us to significantly reduce our fuel consumption and environmental impact.”

The 13-storey SuperStar Virgo, which is the largest cruise ship in Star Cruises’ Asian fleet, is currently homeported in Singapore, offering itineraries to Malaysia and Thailand.

1. Rolls-Royce’s vision is to create better power for a changing world via two main business segments, Aerospace and Marine & Industrial Power Systems (MIPS). These business segments address markets with two strong technology platforms, gas turbines and reciprocating engines, for use on land, at sea and in the air.
2. Aerospace comprises Civil Aerospace and Defence Aerospace. MIPS comprises Marine, Energy & Nuclear and Power Systems (RRPS). On 7 March 2014, Daimler announced their intention to exercise their option to sell their 50% share in RRPS to Rolls-Royce Holdings plc. On 16 April 2014, the valuation was agreed and the transaction is expected to complete within the coming months, subject to the usual regulatory approvals. On 6 May 2014 Rolls-Royce announced it had signed an agreement to sell its Energy gas turbine and compressor business to Siemens for a £785m cash consideration. On completion, expected before the end of December 2014, Rolls-Royce will receive a further £200 million for a 25 year licensing agreement.
3. Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 120 countries, comprising more than 380 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces, 4,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and 1,600 energy and nuclear customers.
4. Our business is focused on the 4Cs:
   • Customer – placing the customer at the heart of our business
   • Concentration – deciding where to grow and where not to
   • Cost – continually looking to increase efficiency
   • Cash – improving financial performance.
5. Annual underlying revenue was £15.5 billion in 2013, around half of which came from the provision of aftermarket services. The firm and announced order book stood at £71.6 billion at 31 December 2013.
6. In 2013, Rolls-Royce invested £1.1 billion on research and development. We also support a global network of 31 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers with the forefront of scientific research.
7. Rolls-Royce employs over 55,000 people in 45 countries. Over 17,000 of these are engineers.
8. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills. In 2013 we employed 379 graduates and 288 apprentices through our worldwide training programmes.
9. Rolls-Royce manufactures the broadest range stabilisers in the market. The retractable Aquarius series is specially configured for smaller vessels, and highly suitable for naval vessels with a small hull aperture, and compact installation supplied complete with fin box.

For further information, please contact:

Janice Wong
Senior Communications Manager – Marine, Asia
Tel: +65 6501 7646
Email: janice.wong@rolls-royce.com

Anette Bonnevie Wollebæk
Senior Communications Manager – Marine, Nordic Region
Tel: +47 976 70 882
Email: anette.bonnevie.wollebaek@rolls-royce.com