Page 169 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2024

such as shortages of raw materials or raw mate-
rials that fail our quality control, interruptions
in the delivery chain due to geopolitical devel-
opments, etc.
Apart from mechanical and electronic parts
support, our advanced products and solutions
require advanced support from our side. Wärt-
silä offers what we call our Life-cycle Agree-
ments, which are tailor-made performance and
maintenance agreements to meet customers’
needs for their vessels. These agreements
utilise artificial intelligence systems to proac-
tively identify and highlight potential failures
and early indications of equipment deteriora-
tion that cause vessels to run less efficiently.
These agreements can also provide remote and
rapid 24/7 operational support when needed.
The experts in the Wärtsilä Expertise Centres
are available to support crews remotely when
required, giving guidance, advice, recommen-
dations, and tuning. Cyber-secure connectivity
also makes it possible to collaborate remotely
in real time.
Getting the issues resolved quickly maximises
the vessel’s uptime, ensuring smooth opera-
tions. In this way, operators can ensure that
maintenance costs are kept within budget.

Crew Training
Crew training is also crucial to our customers.
Wärstilä’s Land and Sea Academy offers proper
port the engines for another 15 years, focusing training to end users of our products. Moreover,
on routine maintenance parts while all spare tailor-made training may be provided to cover
parts for major repairs are still available. In the customers’ specific needs and boost crews’
event that other systems become obsolete, a skills and knowledge. In addition, the modular
working group of experienced users may be design of our products facilitates the learning
established to continue serving our classic process and makes crews’ lives easier.
engines. Ultimately, the importance of an after-sales
Throughout these three phases, customers are service has many different aspects to consider.
notified well in advance through regular Tech- For example, regardless of how Wärtsilä or any
nical Bulletins about the upcoming scarcity and other OEM strives to continuously support its
obsolescence of parts. customers, engines or other products may face
So, for 50+ years, which is more than twice the unscheduled downtime. One reason for this may
lifetime span of a vessel, our customers can rest be the purchase of non-OEM parts. Although,
assured that they will have the support they in some cases, these parts may be offered at a
need to keep their assets going. reduced acquisition cost, they may ultimately
end up costing the buyer more in the long term
Life-cycle Agreements due to premature wear or deterioration or due
It is also essential to recognise that modern to non-compliance with emissions regulations.
engines are not just mechanical parts. In fact, At the end of the day, it always takes two to
electronics and automation systems play a cru- tango. Both parties - suppliers and customers
cial role in the functionality of an engine. For - have an equal part to play in the responsibility
these parts, Wärtsilä works closely with suppli- of keeping a vessel running in good condition.
ers; however, even though we take great care to Investing in original OEM parts and services
keep producing them for as long as the engines gives owners a better chance of prolonging the
are running, this is not always possible due to lifetime of a vessel and ensuring the optimal
other factors beyond our sphere of influence, performance of the said vessel.

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