Solvang signs up for cloud-based solution to support performance gains

Under the agreement, 27 ships in the Solvang fleet will eventually benefit from operational improvements made possible by Wärtsilä’s OPERIM solution. [Image copyright Solvang]

Norwegian ship operator Solvang ASA has signed a five year agreement that will see it use Wärtsilä’s cloud-based OPERIM (Operational Performance Improvement & Monitoring) solution to support LPG/ethylene carriers fitted with Wärtsilä cargo handling systems.

Solvang will have access to technology that includes the OPERIM cloud application, as well as support from Wärtsilä experts in realizing performance opportunities.

The OPERIM solution contains a digital twin model of vessels’ gas cargo handling systems that enables it to report KPIs and to benchmark best-in-class performance within the fleet. These data insights are available for use by both the crew and onshore teams, and are central to supporting performance improvements needed to achieve optimal efficiency. The system also allows operational adjustments to be made as operating conditions change. The same data also provides feedback to the crew to allow them to improve their operational routines.

The first phase of the agreement will see OPERIM rolled out to 15 Solvang LPG/ethylene carriers.

Monthly fleet management meetings will be held to review the data produced, and to agree on improvement actions. The development of crew competences will also be highlighted. During the second phase of the agreement, OPERIM will be made available to an additional 12 Solvang LPG /ethylene carriers).

“Lifecycle support to our customers’ installations is a central pillar in the strategy of Wärtsilä Gas Solutions,” said Nicholas Martin, Director Digital Offering, at Wärtsilä Gas Solutions. “This agreement marks a step change in our customer offering by combining input from our service experts with our digital solution to deliver a digitally-enabled lifecycle service. This allows us to ensure the products, systems, and solutions that we deliver are properly maintained, and that their reliability and performance are at the optimal level for our customers.”

“Wärtsilä’s digitally-enabled service provides transparency and valuable insights to our operations,” said Solvang’s Fleet Director, Tor Øyvind Ask.”The agreement allows us to use Wärtsilä’s OPERIM solution, but goes further by engaging experts from both sides to work collaboratively to find the best solutions for our business, whether it be in operator usage, operational routines, or the plant performance. We have created a collaborative approach to operational improvements.”