Wärtsilä Corporation, a technology group renowned for its expertise in LNG systems and solutions, has recently inked a 10-year Guaranteed Asset Performance (GAP) agreement with Corsica Linea, a French ferry operator. The agreement is specifically tailored to ensure the optimum performance of the power systems onboard Corsica Linea's newly launched LNG-fueled RoPax vessel, named 'A Galeotta'. Operating between Marseille and Corsica in France, this 206-meter-long ship was built at the Visentini yard in Italy and is equipped with two Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel main engines and two Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel auxiliary engines. The GAP agreement was added to Wärtsilä's order book in December 2022.
Under the agreement, Wärtsilä will conduct scheduled maintenance for the main and auxiliary engines, the LNGPac fuel gas handling system, and the gas valve units. Maintenance activities will be carried out based on data-driven dynamic maintenance planning principles, optimizing overhaul intervals and ensuring maintenance is performed only as necessary without compromising equipment reliability. Wärtsilä's globally located Expertise Centres provide round-the-clock remote operational support, enabling the swift resolution of potential issues without the need for onboard service visits.
Furthermore, Wärtsilä's distinctive Expert Insight predictive maintenance service plays a crucial role in securing asset availability by proactively identifying and addressing potential problems before they occur. By closely monitoring operational data from the engines, optimal performance can be achieved, and any deviations can be detected and resolved using advanced diagnostics and machine learning, supported by Wärtsilä's extensive expertise. The agreement also encompasses guaranteed field service support availability and the time required for major engine overhauls. Collectively, these services ensure asset efficiency, reliability, and improved financial predictability.
Lionel Adenet, Technical Director at Corsica Linea, acknowledges Wärtsilä's unparalleled experience in LNG systems and solutions and their selection as the maintenance partner for this vessel. He emphasizes their unique qualifications in undertaking these responsibilities. Henrik Wilhelms, Director Agreement Sales at Wärtsilä, highlights that the agreement represents the company's commitment to providing the most advanced partnership solutions, including performance guarantees. The long-term agreement ensures cost predictability, maximizes the ship's uptime, optimizes performance, and reduces its carbon footprint, all aligning with Wärtsilä's lifecycle support approach and offering customers an optimal total cost of ownership.
The comprehensive agreement encompasses the ship's engines, Wärtsilä's LNGPac fuel storage, supply and control system, the gas valve unit (GVU), and all related auxiliaries. The 'A Galeotta' commenced commercial service in January 2023, further solidifying the longstanding relationship between Corsica Linea and Wärtsilä, which spans over 30 years. Various vessels within Corsica Linea's fleet are already equipped with Wärtsilä solutions, and a large-frame agreement has been in place since 2010.
