Rolls Royce to invest £22m in new facility

The announcement was made in conjunction with UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne who said the facility in Duque de Caxias will better support customers in the expanding offshore oil and gas industry.

Construction at the 27,000 sqm site is due to begin this month with delivery of the first set of UUC 405 thrusters for seven drill ships being built by Brazilian shipyard Estaleiro Atlântico Sul for Sete Brasil, beginning in June next year.

“A central part of the government’s long-term economic plan is to back British companies that are seeking to export more and help them secure success in emerging markets,” said Mr Osborne, on an official visit to Rio de Janeiro.

“I am very pleased to be able to announce the latest facility to be built by Rolls-Royce. It is an example of the success achieved by innovative British technology, drawn from years of experience in challenging environments such as the North Sea.”

And Mr Osborne said the British government has been working loosely with the Brazilian government to strengthen partnerships in the energy sector – work which is paying off.

This is the second investment Rolls-Royce has made in the expansion of its marine capabilities in Brazil this year.

In March, the group opened a £2m customer training centre, in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro; the first of its kind in South America and only the fourth the company has opened globally.

The training centre provides hands on training and simulation in a controlled environment for the engineers and technicians working onboard the offshore vessels and rigs in the country’s deep water oil and gas fields.

“Rolls-Royce has long been committed to the development of Brazil’s energy sector. This latest facility enables us to more closely support our marine customers’ investment and operational needs as they contribute to the development of Brazil’s deepwater oil and gas exploration and production activities,” explained Francisco Itzaina, CBE, Rolls-Royce regional director, South America.

“Rolls-Royce welcomes any government initiative that aims to promote exports, especially from high-skills manufacturing industries.

“UK export finance has an important contribution to make in backing business and any expansion of its role would be a significant move.”

Visit Rolls-Royce at this year’s Seawork International on stand number A85.

By Katina Read