Rolls-Royce has marked 20 years of supplying mtu engines for tugboats, with more than 500 engines now operating in ports and waterways around the world.
The company’s mtu propulsion systems are currently delivering a combined output of around 1,000 megawatts across the global tug sector. Rolls-Royce also reported its highest annual sales figures in the segment during 2025 and said propulsion systems for 17 tugboats had already been sold in 2026.
The engines are used in harbour, terminal and offshore tugboats, where operators require high levels of power, reliability and rapid response during manoeuvring operations.
Andreas Görtz, President of the Mobile & Sustainable Business Unit at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said:It has proven its worth that we have continuously developed our portfolio and tailored it to the needs of port operations. Thanks to their high performance, efficiency and reliability, mtu engines support the productivity of shipping companies that are grappling with rising cost pressures, stricter emissions and efficiency regulations, and high demands on availability and operational reliability.
Rolls-Royce’s mtu Series 4000 M65L engines are designed for workboats operating at outputs of up to 3,200 kilowatts. The engines are capable of reaching full power within seconds, allowing tugboats to respond quickly while assisting large container ships in port operations.
The company states that the engines have been developed specifically for heavy-duty maritime applications, including operations involving bollard pull forces of up to 90 tonnes.
In addition, mtu marine engines can operate for up to 25 years before requiring a major overhaul, which the company said can help reduce vessel lifecycle costs and increase operational availability.
Rolls-Royce is continuing to develop propulsion systems compatible with alternative fuels and lower-emission technologies. Key mtu engines are approved for renewable diesel fuels, including hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and e-diesel, in accordance with EN 15940 standards. The company added that work is also underway on methanol-compatible solutions.
One example cited by Rolls-Royce is a hybrid harbour tug operating in Shanghai since 2023. The vessel combines variable-speed mtu diesel engines with battery systems that automatically adjust engine speed according to operational requirements.
Operators using mtu-powered tugboats include MSC Group subsidiary Medtug, Boluda, Svitzer, Maersk and Adani Ports.
