Wärtsilä in maintenance deal with ferry operator

Wärtsilä announced it has signed an optimized maintenance agreement with the Canadian ferry operator Societé des Traversiers du Quebec (STQ). The five-year agreement covers two vessels, the Jos Deschenes II and the Armand Imbeau II, each of which operates with Wärtsilä 20DF dual fuel engines. A similar agreement was signed earlier covering another STQ ferry, the F.A. Gauthier.

Two LNG-fueled ferries operated by STQ will be covered by five-year Wärtsilä optimised maintenance agreements. (Photo: Societé des Traversiers du Quebec)

The 92 m passenger ferries are part of the Canadian Province of Quebec’s transportation system. The latest contract was signed in October and carries an option to extend the agreement for an additional five years

Wärtsilä said its ability to provide customized agreements that improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and ensure better availability for these vessels was cited as a prime consideration in the award of this contract. Included in the scope of services provided are Wärtsilä’s Expert Insight digital solution and data-driven Dynamic Maintenance Planning. Expert Insight uses artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced diagnostics to achieve what the company said is an unprecedented level of predictive maintenance that can reduce unplanned maintenance by up to 50%. Dynamic Maintenance Planning is enabled with data and advanced analytics and remote monitoring, thus providing insight into the vessel’s performance.

“The Wärtsilä agreements deliver the operational certainty that is essential for ferry service providers,’ said Luc Morneau, director of Marine Operations at STQ. “Equipment reliability is enhanced, maintenance is optimized and efficient performance is assured, all of which enable cost savings over a long term.”

In addition to the engines, the agreement also covers the LNGPac fuel storage, supply and control system, the Gas Valve Unit, and the ships’ electrical and automation systems.

“The agreements with STQ for these two vessels, together with the earlier one for the ‘F.A.Gauthier’, provide clear evidence of the value delivered through equipment data insights, real-time operational support, and data-driven dynamic maintenance planning based on actual need rather than an arbitrary number of operating hours. The benefits include significant cost savings and reduced fuel consumption, which in turn limits emissions for a minimised carbon footprint,” says Henrik Wilhelms, director, Agreement Sales, Wärtsilä Marine Power.