Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) is a major global maritime service provider, employing around 4,500 people and operating in over 2,200 ports worldwide. In the past year, WSS has delivered products to 24,000 vessels and managed 67,000 port calls, averaging one marine product delivery every two minutes. Danny Ingemann, the Business Director for Marine Products at WSS, recently discussed industry trends, particularly regarding ship maintenance and welding, in light of stricter environmental regulations.
Ingemann highlighted that although there are currently no mandatory regulations affecting welding, new environmental regulations are on the horizon, notably the F-gas regulation aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions related to refrigerants. For instance, the use of R22 refrigerant has been banned in Europe, and further regulations will likely target refrigerants with a high global warming potential, initially affecting European-flagged vessels. WSS is keen to engage in conversations with customers about compliance and the implications of these changes.
The conversation also touched on the challenges shipowners face due to growing compliance costs associated with environmental regulations, including emissions taxes and waste treatment standards. Ingemann noted that while these regulations aim to benefit the environment, they add financial burdens to ship operators, hindering their core business of transporting goods efficiently.
An essential focus moving forward is on fuel quality, especially with the 2015 Sulphur Directive setting stringent limits on sulphur emissions in Emission Control Areas (ECAs). This directive will necessitate a shift from heavy fuels to distillate fuels, which come with their own set of challenges, including issues related to lubricity and potential microbial contamination. Hence, shipowners must adapt their strategies to manage these new fuel types effectively.
Safety levels aboard ships were another topic of discussion. Ingemann pointed out that while general safety depends on individual vessels, WSS has initiated campaigns aimed at improving safety related to welding, which is inherently risky due to the equipment involved and the challenging onboard conditions. The campaign targets various types of vessels since all require maintenance and repair, enhancing safety while also potentially reducing operation costs.
The importance of hygiene on vessels, akin to other living and working environments, was also emphasized. Ingemann noted that poor cleanliness could lead to rapid infection spread. To mitigate these risks, WSS is promoting initiatives for effective cleaning, especially in cargo holds, supported by their Unitor cargo cleaning products. The company differentiates itself from competitors through collaborative product development with customers, ensuring that their offerings meet specific needs.
Looking to the future, WSS aims to expand its existing product ranges and sharpen its focus on fuel solutions and cleaning products. In welding, they aspire to shift from being product-driven to adopting a more concept-oriented approach that incorporates customer feedback. This is vital, especially when addressing issues such as repairing pipes in confined spaces where conventional heavy equipment may not suffice.
In conclusion, Wilhelmsen Ships Service is positioning itself as a forward-thinking partner in the maritime industry, committed to addressing evolving environmental standards while ensuring safety and compliance for shipowners, thereby enhancing operational efficiency in a challenging regulatory landscape.
