Wärtsilä, the marine industry's leading solutions and services provider, and Wagenborg Shipping B.V. have signed in June 2014 a six-year Maintenance Agreement for fifteen of Wagenborg's dry cargo carriers. Under the agreement Wärtsilä will provide all maintenance planning and services for the installed engines and propulsion systems with fixed price. This will increase financial predictability of Wagenborg's operations and ensure maximised lifetime, performance and reduced operational costs for Wagenborg's vessels in a safe, reliable, and environmentally sustainable way, the company said in its press release.
"One important result of this contract is that it facilitates more efficient maintenance. Our goal is to improve technical engine performance and optimise maintenance planning. The contract also allows us to keep our operational costs more controllable; it was very important for us to have unscheduled maintenance included in the scope of the contract," says Theo Klimp, Fleet Director at Wagenborg Shipping.
Under the agreements made, Wagenborg Shipping B.V. will use Wärtsilä's Remote Condition Monitoring System. This system enables optimal alignment between maintenance work and the current state of the engines. Due to condition monitoring and meticulous maintenance planning, the time between overhauls can be extended, which increases vessel availability. Condition monitoring also contributes to increased engine reliability and optimal engine tuning, which saves fuel and reduces emissions.
The maintenance concept covers not only the maintenance of the Wärtsilä 46F engines, but also the controllable pitch propellers, bow thrusters and shaft seals. One of the key aspects of the contract, marking a major step forward for both parties, is that Wärtsilä will now be handling all maintenance for a flat fee per operating hour, producing a completely predictable fixed cost pattern.
"Wärtsilä works hard to help clients secure their business activities in the long term, which is an essential consideration in the current economic climate in the shipping sector, and certainly in merchant shipping. With an advanced maintenance agreement like this one, we are combining high-quality maintenance with lower costs for Wagenborg," says Henk de Jong, Director of the Benelux Service Unit for Wärtsilä.
Wärtsilä is a global supplier of a full range of products, solutions and services for the marine industry. This capability is backed by the industry's most complete network of service and repair facilities with operations in more than 160 locations in nearly 70 countries with 11,000 employees. The company's Services & Support Business has the broadest offering in the industry. It ranges from basic support, installation and commissioning, performance optimization, upgrades, conversions and environmental solutions to service projects and agreements focusing on overall equipment performance and asset management.
Wagenborg is an international shipping company that operates a modern fleet of 180 vessels, ranging in size from 1,000 to 23,000 tonnes, to offer logistic solutions and services to international, exporting industries. With many years of knowledge and experience in shipping, Wagenborg is able to respond immediately to the logistic needs and questions of its clients in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa. Wagenborg complies with all ISM and ISPS standards. Wagenborg also complies with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards.
The Wagenborg fleet is modern and environmentally friendly. Due to the enormous diversity in type and tonnage, the company can offer just-in-time shipments for large cargo contracts. Wagenborg Shipping handles ship management for all types of ships - the company's own and those of other ship owners. The fleet largely consists of box-shaped, ice-strengthened dry cargo vessels. With its diversity in size and tonnage, Wagenborg offers transport solutions for the rapidly growing market. The fleet of roll-on/roll-off paper carriers is used specifically for the transport of forestry products, such as paper and pulp. With an average age of 6.7 years, the Wagenborg fleet is one of the youngest in the world.