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Written by Ian Taylor
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Wärtsilä has signed a five-year optimized maintenance agreement with Canada’s Société des Traversiers du Québec (STQ) which will cover dual-fuel ferries Jose Deschenes II and Armand Imbeau II.
Both ferries run on Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel engines. In addition to the engines, the agreement also covers the LNGPac fuel storage, supply and control system, the gas valve unit and the electrical and vessel automation systems.
The contract was signed in October 2021 and includes an option to extend the deal for another five years. A similar agreement was signed earlier for another STQ ferry, the FA Gauthier.
The scope of services provided includes Wärtsilä’s Expert Insight digital solution and data-driven dynamic maintenance planning. Expert Insight uses artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced diagnostics to provide predictive maintenance that Wärtsilä claims can reduce unplanned maintenance by up to 50%. Dynamic maintenance planning is enabled with data, advanced analytics and remote monitoring, providing accurate insight into vessel performance.
Luc Morneau, Director of Marine Operations at STQ, said, “Wärtsilä agreements provide the operational certainty that is essential for ferry service providers. Equipment reliability is improved, maintenance is optimized and efficient performance is ensured, resulting in long-term cost savings.
Henrik Wilhelms, Agreement Sales Manager, Wärtsilä Marine Power, added: “The agreements with STQ for these two vessels, as well as the previous one for the FA Gauthier, provide clear evidence of the value delivered by equipment data insights, real-time operational support, and data-driven dynamic maintenance planning based on actual needs rather than an arbitrary number of Hours of operation. Benefits include significant cost savings and reduced fuel consumption, which limits emissions for a minimized carbon footprint.