Finnish technology group Wärtsilä has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Qatar Shipyard Technology Solutions, a joint venture between Nakilat and Keppel Offshore & Marine, related to maintenance and repair services involving eco-friendly technology, decarbonization, and dual-fuel conversions.
Under the MoU signed on September 30, the two companies will cooperate on repairs, maintenance, or retrofit projects involving 2-stroke / 4-stroke engine and propulsion equipment.
Specifically, the agreement covers specialized maintenance services including upgrades and eco-friendly reconditioning technology, decarbonization and retrofit projects like 2-stroke radical de-rating services, dual-fuel conversions, and cooperation on engineering services and training using Wärtsilä’s Land and Sea Academy facilities.
Additionally, Wärtsilä and Qatar Shipyard Technology Solutions will collaborate to provide shipowners and operators with subject matter expertise on all available options for decarbonizing their operations, including feasibility studies on sustainable fuel retrofit and conversion projects and hybrid propulsion solutions.
Furthermore, the MoU with Wärtsilä is expected to enable Qatar Shipyard Technology Solutions to enhance its service offerings to owners of LNG carrier vessels equipped with dual-fuel 2-stroke main engines and 4-stroke auxiliary engines.
“Shipping is in the process of a rapid transition to more efficient and sustainable operations. For this transition to be successful, collaboration and partnerships between maritime stakeholders is essential. By working together, the services we deliver to owners and operators are of premium quality. This agreement with Qatar Shipyard Technology Solutions is one more important step along this path,” said Stefan Wiik , Vice President, Parts and Field Service, Wärtsilä Marine.
In other company-related news, Wärtsilä recently joined the Flexible Clean Propulsion Technologies (Flext-CPT) project which aims to develop fuel-flexible solutions for maritime transport and off-road machinery, enabling the optimal use of zero- and low-carbon fuels and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 100%.
Earlier this year, the Finnish company also secured a multi-year renewal of its lifecycle agreement with Seapeak Maritime , an independent owner-operator of LNG vessels. The 16-year contract extension for ten LNG carriers covered by an earlier lifecycle agreement aims to improve maintenance performance.