Wärtsilä and Royal Caribbean Group sign Lifecyle Agreement to accelerate sustainability goals

Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a five-year Lifecycle Agreement with Royal Caribbean Group covering 37 of the company’s cruise ships. 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.

“This agreement is a testament to the mutual efforts and dedication of both the Royal Caribbean Group and Wärtsilä teams. It not only solidifies our exemplary long-term partnership but also elevates our collaboration to new heights. Together, we are committed to achieving the highest operational reliability and meeting the strictest sustainability and decarbonisation standards in the cruise industry,” comments Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä Marine & Executive Vice President at Wärtsilä Corporation.

Installing the right technological solutions onboard is a crucial first step towards achieving the cruise industry’s goal of net-zero operations. However, ensuring these solutions perform optimally throughout their entire lifetime is essential. Wärtsilä’s Lifecycle Agreements provide this assurance and highlight the importance of collaboration in addressing the industry’s goals.

“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,” says Palle Laursen, Executive Vice President and Head of Marine for Royal Caribbean Group.

This framework decreases the risk of unplanned maintenance and costly downtime, and improves performance to save fuel and reduce emissions, allowing the ships to perform optimally while remaining regulatory compliant.

The contract covers both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, as well as Wärtsilä’s Expert Insight service, delivered through Wärtsilä’s global Expertise Centres. Wärtsilä Expert Insight leverages AI technology for predictive maintenance helping to improve asset efficiency and reduce both operating costs and emissions.

The agreement with Royal Caribbean Group also includes implementing a performance-based model. This means that gains, resulting from best operation and maintenance practices, will be shared between Royal Caribbean Group and Wärtsilä. This further highlights the two companies’ collaborative efforts to achieve optimal operations, with a shared commitment to reliability and performance.

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Image caption: Wärtsilä has signed a five-year Lifecycle Agreement with Royal Caribbean Group covering 37 of the company’s cruise ships. © Royal Caribbean Group 

Wärtsilä in brief   
Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. We emphasise innovation in sustainable technology and services to help our customers continuously improve environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 17,800 professionals in more than 280 locations in 79 countries shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2023, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 6.0 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.    
www.wartsila.com

Wärtsilä Marine in brief    
Wärtsilä Marine is a global pioneer in power, propulsion and lifecycle solutions for the marine market. We develop industry-leading technologies, advancing maritime’s transition to new fuels. We support building an end-to-end digital ecosystem where all vessels and ports are connected. Ultimately, Wärtsilä Marine is driving the shipping industry forward on its journey towards a decarbonised and sustainable future through our broad portfolio of engines, propulsion systems, hybrid technology, exhaust treatment, shaft line solutions and digital technologies, as well as integrated powertrain systems. Our offering, which is underpinned by our performance-based agreements, upgrades, lifecycle solutions, decarbonisation services, as well as an unrivalled global network of maritime expertise, delivers the efficiency, reliability, safety, and environmental performance needed to support a safe and sustainable future for our customers, our communities and our planet.   
www.wartsila.com/marine