Stmnt re UT-Designs

Rolls-Royce PLC
9 January 2001



ROLLS-ROYCE DESIGNS SELECTED FOR 53 OFFSHORE 
SERVICE VESSELS


UT-Designs and packages of equipment from Rolls-Royce have been selected for
53 offshore service vessels over the past year. This represents 70 per cent of
the orders placed during the year and is the largest batch of orders in this
sector the company has won since the mid-1970s.

Twelve of these vessels were ordered just before the end of 2000 and will be
worth £40 million to Rolls-Royce. This will bring the total value of these
contracts to Rolls-Royce to £170 million.

Dr Saul Lanyado, President - Marine, for Rolls-Royce, said: 'The increase in
demand has come rapidly. After a quiet period in late 1999 and early 2000
caused by uncertainties in the offshore oil and gas industry, owners have
started investing for the future. Since the summer of 2000 UT-Designs for 43
offshore service vessels have been chosen by shipowners in many countries
including the USA.'

The vessels will be built in shipyards in Brazil, China, Denmark, Japan,
Korea, Norway and Singapore. Delivery dates of the vessels extend well into
2003.

Sixteen of the vessels are powerful anchor handlers, with the UT722 variants
in strong demand. The market favourite platform supply vessel is the UT755 in
standard or long versions, with 19 on order, and the long established UT745
retains its popularity, with diesel electric versions also available. Several
of the contracts are for new designs, including the UT710, UT728 and UT738
AHTS.

The demand for vessels to lay and maintain fibre optic cables is also strong,
and TyCom has confirmed orders for six of the new and innovative UT757 design,
with full marine equipment packages, to be built in Singapore.

For further information please contact:

Arnfinn Ingjerd, Communication Manager
Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine
E-mail:    [e-mail]
Phone:   [phone], mobile: [phone]
Fax:       [phone]