Wärtsilä signs five-year optimised maintenance agreement featuring latest digital innovations with Canada-based ferry operator Societé des Traversiers du Quebec (STQ)
The agreement covers F A Gauthier, a 133-m ferry operating with Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines and other Wärtsilä equipment. The agreement was signed in Q2 2021 and there is a five-year extension option. This agreement is a renewal of a maintenance agreement that had been running for the previous five years.
Among the services provided by the Wärtsilä agreement are the Expert Insight tool and data-driven dynamic maintenance planning made possible by the Wärtsilä data collection unit (WDCU).
Expert Insight uses artificial intelligence and advanced diagnostics to take predictive maintenance to a level not earlier possible. It is estimated that unplanned downtime can be reduced by 30% to 50%. Communication between Wärtsilä’s experts and onboard crew can take place via the Expert Insight collaboration app. The WDCU collects and transmits operational data to the cloud for remote monitoring. This facilitates advanced analytics, thus providing accurate insight into the vessel’s performance.
In addition to the Wärtsilä engines, support is also provided to the Wärtsilä LNGPac fuel storage, supply and control system, the gas valve unit, and the ship’s electrical and automation systems. Included will be scheduled maintenance parts, field service, workshop services and logistics for the covered equipment.
“The co-operation with Wärtsilä is important and beneficial to our operations. This latest agreement will ensure the safety and optimal functioning of the equipment, while also ensuring that maintenance planning and procedures are optimised, leading to valuable reductions in operating costs,” said STQ director of marine operations Luc Morneau.
“The renewal of this agreement demonstrates the benefits and value that it brings. It also strengthens the relationship between our companies. As the marine industry adopts more complex technologies, equipment insight, dynamic maintenance planning and real-time technical support add considerable value and are becoming increasingly important. Maintaining and optimising an asset is also good for the environment, as well as for the fuel bill,” said Wärtsilä marine power agreement sales manager Cole Lowder.
F A Gauthier is part of STQ’s fleet of ferries operating in and around the Canadian Province of Quebec as part of the regional transportation system.
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