Rolls-Royce has signed an agreement with Italian yacht maker Benetti to produce a new generation of high performance, lightweight thrusters, which are built using advanced carbon fiber epoxy composites in its load carrying parts, for use in its “mega-yachts.” The first thruster in the series, the Azipull Carbon 65 (AZP C65), marks the first time Rolls-Royce has made extensive use carbon fiber in a steerable thruster.
The AZP C65 incorporates carbon fiber in its load-carrying parts, which makes the propulsion system’s weight significantly lighter.
“Efficient and lightweight propulsion is key to reducing the environmental impact of a modern yacht,” said Vincenzo Poerio, CEO of Benetti. “We have been working closely with Rolls-Royce on a journey towards an excellent propulsion system for our new line of exclusive megayachts. The successful result of this collaboration has been confirmed by facts, indeed five units have already been sold and more units are already under construction to shorten delivery times and meet the increasing demand for this model.”
