Wärtsilä introduces a new, comprehensive package of services, designed to cost efficiently manage hot and cold vessel lay-ups.
Reduced transportation demand, over-capacity, and low freight and charter rates have become a major concern throughout the marine industry. The laying-up of ships is one option available to ship owners for meeting these challenges. However, when laying-up, it is of the utmost importance that the vessel's machinery be kept in good condition. This is achieved through professional management of the de-activation and re-activation phases, and by regular inspections and maintenance during the interim period.
Wärtsilä's lay-up services will be available for engine room equipment covering 2-stroke & 4-stroke engines, propulsion lines, electrical & automation equipment, and boiler systems.
Centrally controlled and dispatched from Wärtsilä Switzerland, the expert crews are mobilized regionally in the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Asia. The service package is an all-in-one agreement covering a selection of equipment, for de-activation, re-activation, lay-up inspections, or a combination of all of these.
"Vessel lay-up is a complex operation that requires methodology and expertise to minimize the risks of failure at restart, and during further operation. Wärtsilä has that expertise for ship machineries, and we can ensure ship owners that the job will be carried out with care, and in the interest of retaining the machineries' long-term value." said Tage Blomberg, Group Vice President, Wärtsilä Services.
"Each morning, all over the world, 6700 people go to work in Wärtsilä field service activities. Wärtsilä is capitalizing on this global presence." Blomberg added. Dedicated resources handle the project management and job supervision tasks. Wärtsilä is also looking to further expand its offering for ship lay-ups by providing watch crews, on a case by case basis.
When ships are laid-up with insufficient care, a humid environment will cause accelerated wear, corrosion and deterioration. The re-activation phase will then unveil, for instance, corrosion of the shafts, flanges, pins and journal surfaces, and deposits and sediments in cooling chambers, clogging of filters and gaskets, and seal deterioration. Wärtsilä regularly performs in-situ repair and maintenance jobs, and is well prepared to handle situations such as these. Regardless of the equipment make, or who has performed the lay-up, Wärtsilä offers in-situ shaft machining, laser alignment services, reconditioning, under water repairs, and flying squad services, on call.
(www.wartsila.com/layup)