Wärtsilä has signed a five year maintenance agreement with Finnish ship owner, Viking Line, for maintaining and servicing the LNG-fuelled passenger ferry ''Viking Grace''.
The agreement covers the four 50DF dual-fuel main engines, as well as the LNGPac gas system's safety valves. Under the terms of the contract, Wärtsilä will provide a range of services including engine maintenance planning, maintenance work, condition monitoring, spare parts supply, technical support, and workshop services.
Tony Öhman, senior vice president, marine operations & newbuilding, Viking Line, said: "The maintenance agreement provides predictability in maintenance issues, and through extending maintenance intervals, we can lower operating costs and optimise the lifecycle efficiency of Viking Grace."
The Viking Grace is the largest ferry so far to operate on LNG, the Wärtsilä DF engines mean that the vessel can sail without restrictions in both the Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECAs) and the forthcoming Nitrogen Emissions Control Areas (NECAs).
Operating a regular timetable schedule in the Baltic Sea between Turku in Finland and Stockholm, Sweden, the Viking Grace is to be the venue for The Motorship’s 2013 Gas Fuelled Ships conference, during which delegates will have the chance to view the machinery and watch live bunkering of LNG.
