In 2005, Wärtsilä was selected as the preferred supplier for the propulsion systems of the seven-vessel Project Protector for the Royal New Zealand Navy. On behalf of the New Zealand Ministry of Defence, the head contractor, BAE Systems Australia awarded to Wärtsilä these contracts. BAE Systems is a world-class project, product and services organisation serving defence markets globally.

Project Protector includes the supply of seven vessels: a 131m multi-role vessel (MRV), two 85m offshore patrol vessels (OPV) and four 55m inshore patrol vessels (IPV). The vessels are intended for military and civilian roles in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), in the South Pacific and the Southern Ocean. As well as serving their military roles, the vessels of Project Protector will conduct tasks for and with NZ Customs, Department of Conservation, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Fisheries, NZ Maritime Safety Authority and the NZ Police. The vessels will be used for sea-lifting personnel and cargo, emergency response, and fisheries and customs patrols. Both the MRV and OPVs will be strengthened to Ice Class 1C for service in the Ross Sea off Antarctica, and will also carry helicopters. The MRV will have a Ro-Ro capability with both stern ramp and side door for light armoured vehicles and other equipment, and will be equipped with two landing crafts.

Wärtsilä solution
The 131m-long multi-role vessel (MRV) has been supplied to the head contractor by the Merwede Shipyard in the Netherlands. It is powered by two Wärtsilä 9L32 engines with a combined power output of 9000 kW. Wärtsilä is also supplying twin 4D1000 controllable-pitch propellers, the two shaft lines, and two CT175H bow thrusters.

The OPVs and IPVs have and are being constructed at BAE Systems Australia shipyards in Australia and New Zealand. To these ships Wärtsilä supplied controllable-pitch propellers and shaftlines. The 85m-long OPVs have each two 5C09 propellers while the 55m-long IPVs have each two 4D550 propellers. The OPVs are also fitted with a CT150H bow thruster.

The availability of local support both in Australia and New Zealand, technical compliance, cost effectiveness, and high reliability of the Wärtsilä products were major factors helping Wärtsilä to win these contracts. Wärtsilä is proud to now be one of the major propulsion suppliers of the Royal New Zealand Navy and BAE Systems Australia.

Main data
Name: HMNZS Canterbury Type: Navy, MRV Shipyard: Merwede, Netherlands Shipowner: Royal New Zealand Navy Delivery date: 2007 Engines: 2 x Wärtsilä 9L32 - output of 4500 kW each at 750 rpm Propeller: 2 x CPP 4D1000 Thrusters: 2 x bow thrusters CT175H Speed: 19 knots
Names: Otago, Wellington Type: Navy, OPVs Shipyard: BAE Systems Australia, Williamstown,  Australia Shipowner: Royal New Zealand Navy Planned delivery date: 2008 Propeller: 2 x CPP 5C09 Thrusters: CT150H Speed: 22 knots
Names: Rotoiti, Hawea, Pukaki, Taupo Type: Navy, IPVs Shipyards: BAE Systems Australia, Whangarei, New Zealand Shipowner: Royal New Zealand Navy Planned delivery date:  2008, 2009 Propeller: 2 x CPP 4D550 Speed: 25 knots