---

Wärtsilä has signed technical management agreements with four Greek liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship owners: Maran Gas Maritime Inc, Dynagas Ltd, TMS Cardiff Gas Ltd and Thenamaris LNG Inc. All agreements cover condition-based maintenance (CBM) for a total of 80 Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines over a five-year period. The agreements were signed between the third quarter of 2013 and the second quarter of 2014.

Technical management agreements include a condition-based maintenance system that is designed to bring flexibility to operations as maintenance intervals are optimized. The system enables feeding engine parameters into Wärtsilä's database, and the parameters are then evaluated by specialists at the condition-based monitoring centre.

Condition-based maintenance enables early detection of performance issues, reduced downtime, optimised engine performance, predictable cash flow, and optimization of major overhauls. Due to constant monitoring, maintenance is predictive and based on the actual condition of the engine, thus bringing a significant opportunity to reduce operating costs.

The agreements with TMS Cardiff Gas Ltd and Thenamaris LNG Inc. also include online remote support, which means that Wärtsilä's technical experts can support the LNG carrier's crew in real time via an online PC connection without the need for engineers to travel to the vessels.

"We expect that this agreement with Wärtsilä will lead to higher availability, increased efficiency, reduced maintenance cost, and reduced risk for the DF Engines installed on Maran Gas Fleet. Wärtsilä's technology, global presence and local support are essential elements for supporting this agreement," said Andreas Spertos, Technical Director, Maran Gas Maritime Inc.

"With these long-term agreements, we aim to improve our customers' business during the entire lifecycle of their installations. By utilising the latest technologies in our condition-based maintenance system, our target is to repair or replace engine components when needed, thus reducing costs and minimising downtime caused by unnecessary overhaul," remarked Veikko Lepistö, General Manager, Marine Agreements, Wärtsilä Services.

Agreements cover 80 Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines

Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engine allows for fuel flexibility since it is capable of running on either natural gas, light fuel oil (LFO), or heavy fuel oil (HFO), and can smoothly switch between fuels whilst operating. It is designed to provide the same output regardless of the fuel.

Maran Gas Maritime Inc is the gas shipping unit of the Greek Angelicoussis Shipping Group. The group has a track record in shipping dating back to 1947. Its fleet comprises of bulk carriers, oil tankers and LNG carriers. The agreement with Wärtsilä covers technical management for twenty four Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines in six LNG vessels.

Dynagas Ltd is a Greek LNG maritime transportation company established in 2004. The company offers in-house ship management services. The agreement with Wärtsilä covers Technical Management for twenty eight Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines in seven LNG vessels.

TMS Cardiff Gas Ltd, based in Greece, manages the LNG fleet of Cardiff Marine Inc. The company has a history of more than 30 years of traditional ship management services for almost every type of vessel coupled with engineering and offshore drilling management expertise and an experienced team of LNG professionals. The agreement with Wärtsilä covers technical management for sixteen Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines in four LNG vessels.

Thenamaris LNG Inc is a Greece-based company currently managing two 160,000 cubic metre LNG carriers, and one more LNG carrier project under construction. The company is part of the global ship manager Thenamaris Inc. The agreement with Wärtsilä covers Technical Management for twelve Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines in three LNG vessels.