Latsco signs up two VLGCs for Wärtsilä optimized maintenance

The Hellas Voyager is one of two LMM operated VLGCs whose main engines are now covered by a Wärtsilä Optimised Maintenance Agreement. [Image copyright Latsco Marine] Management]

Wärtsilä has signed five-year optimized maintenance agreements covering the main engines for two Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) vessels operated by Latsco Marine Management (LMM). The contract, which became effective from September, was signed in August 2020.

The two vessels, the Hellas Dynasty and the Hellas Voyager, were delivered this year by South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) shipyard’

“We very much appreciate Wärtsilä’s support and recognize their extensive service capabilities, which are unmatched in the marine industry. This agreement will ensure that our vessels can operate with maximum reliability, availability, and performance,” says Kostas Vlachos, Chief Operating Officer, Latsco Marine Management.

Optimized maintenance agreements are a key element within Wärtsilä’s Lifecycle Solutions offering and are designed to ensure certainty of operations with budgeted maintenance costs.

“By applying smart technology and performance optimization services, Wärtsilä aims to deliver greater efficiencies, a minimized impact on the environment, and a higher level of safety to the shipping industry,” says Rajeev Janardhan, Sales Manager, two-stroke engines Lifecycle Solutions at Wärtsilä Marine Power. “This agreement will provide LMM with maintenance cost predictability while allowing them to focus on their core business.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Wärtsilä will provide remote support and condition monitoring systems, including Expert Insight, a digital offering that has recently been extended from four-stroke engines to also cover two-stroke engines.

Expert Insight enables support to be delivered proactively to customers by Wärtsilä Expertise Centers around the world, thereby ensuring long-term accurate insight for predictive maintenance. The service can reduce unplanned maintenance by up to 50 percent, while also reducing fuel consumption and emissions by 3 to 4 percent. Wärtsilä will also provide a broad range of services for the vessels’ engines includes 24/7 remote technical support and annual audits, as well as the planning and delivery of spare part required for the overhauls.

Wärtsilä currently has more than 700 vessels covered under maintenance agreements.