More than 500 Rolls-Royce mtu engines are now operating aboard tugs worldwide, delivering around 1,000 MW of installed power
Rolls-Royce has marked 20 years of supplying mtu engines to the global tugboat sector, reinforcing its position as a leading propulsion provider in one of the maritime industry’s most demanding applications.
The company reported a record year for tugboat engine sales in 2025, achieving its strongest performance in the segment to date. Rolls-Royce has carried that momentum into 2026, with mtu engines already selected for 17 tugboat newbuild projects this year. More than 500 mtu engines are currently in service aboard tugboats worldwide, providing a combined installed power output of approximately 1,000 MW.
“Our continuous development of our portfolio, tailored to the needs of port operations, has proven its worth. Thanks to their high performance, efficiency, and reliability, mtu engines support the productivity of shipping companies facing increasing cost pressures, stricter emissions and efficiency regulations, and high demands for availability and operational safety,” explains Andreas Görtz, President of the Mobile & Sustainable Business Unit at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.
“The high-speed mtu engines of the 4000 M65L series are specifically designed for the demanding applications of workboats in the power range up to 3,200 kilowatts. They reach their full power in just a few seconds. This allows them to accelerate extremely quickly and react to the movements of the container ships they maneuver into port with up to 90 tons of bollard pull,” says Andreas Müller-Hirlinger, Sales Manager Tug & Workboat at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.
MTU marine engines have the decisive advantage of a leading service life of up to 25 years without a major overhaul. This means that operators can significantly reduce the life cycle costs of their ships with MTU engines and increase their availability.
Looking ahead
Rolls-Royce is increasingly relying on sustainable fuels and new technologies for its marine engines. The most important mtu engines are approved for HVO, e-diesel, and other fuels according to EN 15940; the company is also working on solutions for green methanol.
High-tech from Shanghai to Rio de Janeiro
An example of technological advancement is a harbor tug in Shanghai, which has been powered by variable-speed MTU diesel engines and batteries since 2023. The system automatically adjusts the engine speed to the operating conditions, thus ensuring more economical and dynamic operation.
Turkish tugboat shipyards such as Uzmar, Med Marine, and Sanmar rely on MTU engines. Internationally renowned operators of these port, terminal, and offshore tugs include the MSC Group (Medtug), Boluda, Svitzer, Maersk, and the Indian logistics giant Adani Ports.
