Wärtsilä launches new services package for ship lay-ups

Wärtsilä Corporation, Trade & Technical Press Release, 16 June 2009 Wärtsilä, as the leading provider of services for the marine and energy industries, continues to expand its services offering. In order to meet the needs of its customers, and to ensure the best lifecycle support of customers' vessels, Wärtsilä introduces a new, comprehensive package of services, designed to cost efficiently manage hot and cold vessel lay-ups. Reduced transportation demand, over-capacity, and low freight and charter rates have become a major concern throughout the marine industry. The laying-up of ships is one option available to ship owners for meeting these challenges. However, when laying-up, it is of the utmost importance that the vessel's machinery be kept in good condition. This is achieved through professional management of the de-activation and re-activation phases, and by regular inspections and maintenance during the interim period. Wärtsilä's lay-up services will be available for engine room equipment covering 2-stroke & 4-stroke engines, propulsion lines, electrical & automation equipment, and boiler systems. Centrally controlled and dispatched from Wärtsilä Switzerland, the expert crews are mobilized regionally in the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Asia. The service package is an all-in-one agreement covering a selection of equipment, for de-activation, re-activation, lay-up inspections, or a combination of all of these. "Vessel lay-up is a complex operation that requires methodology and expertise to minimize the risks of failure at restart, and during further operation. Wärtsilä has that expertise for ship machineries, and we can ensure ship owners that the job will be carried out with care, and in the interest of retaining the machineries' long-term value." says Tage Blomberg, Group Vice President, Wärtsilä Services. "Each morning, all over the world, 6700 people go to work in Wärtsilä field service activities. Wärtsilä is capitalising on this global presence." Mr Blomberg added. Dedicated resources handle the project management and job supervision tasks. Wärtsilä is also looking to further expand its offering for ship lay-ups by providing watch crews, on a case by case basis. When ships are laid-up with insufficient care, a humid environment will cause accelerated wear, corrosion and deterioration. The re-activation phase will then unveil, for instance, corrosion of the shafts, flanges, pins and journal surfaces, and deposits and sediments in cooling chambers, clogging of filters and gaskets, and seal deterioration. Wärtsilä regularly performs in-situ repair and maintenance jobs, and is well prepared to handle situations such as these. Regardless of the equipment make, or who has performed the lay-up, Wärtsilä offers in-situ shaft machining, laser alignment services, reconditioning, under water repairs, and flying squad services, on call. As an option and on request of the owners, the lay-up period can also provide a good opportunity for implementing machinery upgrades, which will improve the fitness and operational efficiency, and the overall performance of the ship once it re-enters service. Wärtsilä offers a wide range of solutions for main and auxiliary engines, and propulsion lines and systems that offer operational cost reductions, increased reliability, and a reduction in emissions. See what Wärtsilä can do at www.wartsila.com/layup Contact us at layup@wartsila.com For further information, please contact: Ms Marit Holmlund-Sund Senior Manager, PR and Marketing Communications Wärtsilä Corporation Direct tel: +358 10 709 1439 Direct fax: +358 10 709 1425 e-mail: marit.holmlund-sund@wartsila.com Internet: www.wartsila.com Wärtsilä Corporation in brief: Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising technological innovation and total efficiency, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2008, Wärtsilä's net sales totalled EUR 4.6 billion with 19,000 employees. The company has operations in 160 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland. www.wartsila.com This announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.