Wärtsilä signed a 5-year Technical Management Agreement with Golar Management Oslo for delivery of services to Golar LNG - one of the largest independent owners and operators of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers in the world. The service agreement includes remote monitoring of engines, maintenance planning, advisory services, and guaranteed availability of personnel as well as spare parts.
Golar LNG operates a fleet of 13 vessels, dedicated to both LNG transportation and midstream floating solutions. The company developed the world's first Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRU's) based on the conversion of existing LNG carriers. Golar's LNG carriers and FSRU's are all equipped with Wärtsilä engines, the number of engines totalling at 52. This cooperation prompted Golar LNG to turn to Wärtsilä for Asset Performance Optimisation concepts and solutions as well.
Remote engine monitoring enables optimised maintenance
In addition to planning and consultation services, the Technical Management Agreement includes a condition-based maintenance (CBM) system that supports in optimising the performance of the installed equipment. The system allows Wärtsilä's specialists to monitor and analyse various parameters, enabling Wärtsilä to plan and perform the maintenance activities needed in relation to the engines' lifecycle and condition. This enables predictive maintenance while maximising uptime and reducing operating costs.
"One of Golar LNG's strategic assets is our operational excellence. We want to maintain the highest standards for safety and reliability. This closer cooperation with Wärtsilä helps us to avoid unnecessary downtime and to keep our fleet in top condition at all times," Per Rolid, Fleet Manager in Golar LNG says.
Comprehensive service offering optimises performance
The new service agreement improves the availability, reliability and performance of the Wärtsilä engines installed in Golar LNG's fleet. In addition, the dedicated Contract Manager offers technical advice and consultation as well as maintenance planning, increasing the predictability of maintenance and service needs. The CBM system completes the offering by ensuring the optimal and cost-effective use of engines.
"This comprehensive agreement is very important to Wärtsilä, as we expand our partnership with Golar LNG to include new services. With this service agreement, we can continuously optimise the performance of the Wärtsilä engines already in use in the Golar LNG fleet," Johan Hansten, Area Sales Director Europe & Africa, from Wärtsilä says.