TECHNOLOGY group Wärtsilä has signed a five-year Lifecycle Agreement with Royal Caribbean Group, the world’s second largest cruise line operator.
The Finnish technology manufacturer said the agreement is designed to optimise the performance, reliability, and availability of the ships’ engines to ensure the highest level of operational efficiency, to support and accelerate Royal Caribbean’s sustainability goals.
The agreement will cover 37 of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships. The line is second only to Carnival Corporation in the global cruise industry.
Roger Holm, president of Wärtsilä Marine and executive vice president of Wärtsilä Corporation said the agreement is a testament to the mutual efforts and dedication of both the Royal Caribbean and Wärtsilä teams.
“It not only solidifies our exemplary long-term partnership but also elevates our collaboration to new heights,” Mr Holm said.
“Together, we are committed to achieving the highest operational reliability and meeting the strictest sustainability and decarbonisation standards in the cruise industry.”
Wärtsilä said installing the right technological solutions onboard is a crucial first step towards achieving the cruise industry’s goal of net-zero operations, but that ensuring the solutions perform optimally throughout their entire lifetime is essential.
Wärtsilä’s Lifecycle Agreements aims to provide this assurance and highlight the importance of collaboration in addressing the industry’s goals.
Palle Laursen, executive vice president and head of marine for Royal Caribbean Group said, “Collaborations, with longtime partners like Wärtsilä, serve as a cornerstone in our joint efforts to accelerate reliable and sustainable operations and future initiatives”.
“It provides a solid framework for sustained collaboration and will have a meaningful impact on ensuring our fleet’s sustainable operations, which is vitally important for us and our industry.”
The contract covers both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. Wärtsilä says it will use AI technology for predictive maintenance to help improve asset efficiency and reduce both operating costs and emissions.
The agreement also includes implementing a performance-based model, meaning that gains, resulting from best operation and maintenance practices, will be shared between Royal Caribbean and Wärtsilä.
