Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has today opened its latest Marine Service Centre, in Walvis Bay, Namibia. The investment is the latest stage in the development of a global Marine Service Centre network, which brings the expertise of Rolls-Royce engineers to customers around the world. Rolls-Royce has opened seven Marine Service Centres in the last two years and the global network now includes facilities in 34 countries.
The Walvis Bay facility will serve companies operating predominently off the west coast of Africa – one of the world’s fastest growing areas for oil and gas production. It will be operated in partnership with Elgin Brown & Hamer (EBH) Namibia and located within their ship repair yard, in the Port of Walvis Bay.
Martin Hall, Rolls-Royce, Senior Vice President Services – Europe & Africa, said: “ Rolls-Royce is continuing to invest in its global service network in response to growing customer demand for our world-class engineering capabilities.”
“ Walvis Bay is a key port for merchant shipping and vessels supporting the offshore industry. It is also firmly established as a regional hub for ship repair, which makes it an ideal location to provide mission critical support, which will be available to our customers around the clock. I would like to thank EBH and the Port Authority – Namport, for their support in establishing this facility .”
Rolls-Royce is creating 14 jobs at the facility, which can repair and overhaul the full range of Rolls-Royce thrusters and propellers, diesel and gas engines, and steering gear. Skilled engineers from Walvis Bay will also carry out servicing and repairs on board vessels throughout the region.
Earlier this month, the Group completed a major expansion of its service centre in Rotterdam, Holland, and is currently constructing new facilities in Hamburg, Germany and Gdynia, Poland, both of which are due to open this summer.
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Source: rolls-royce, April 15, 2011;