UK-based refrigeration specialist Oceanic Technical Solutions has introduced a new compressor overhaul exchange service in response to increased market demand for ship-board refrigeration compressor overhauls.
UK-based refrigeration specialist Oceanic Technical Solutions has introduced a new compressor overhaul exchange service in response to increased market demand for ship-board refrigeration compressor overhauls.
As part of the programme, the company will offer its customers scheduled compressor overhauls on a service exchange basis. Based on compressor running hours, it will deliver a completely overhauled compressor in exchange for one that has exceeded working hours and requiring refurbishment.
Oceanic Technical Solutions’ technical director, David Lloyd, said: “While a lot of shipboard machinery is designed to operate with minimal maintenance, refrigeration compressors are required to have periodic overhauls based on the number of running hours, but due to the complexity of twin-screw compressors, the knowledge and skill to perform these overhauls is limited in vessel crews.
“Many of the compressors in service are older units and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find spare parts as some manufacturers no longer exist. And with new compressors costing upwards of £20,000, we are beginning to see more ship owners implement preventative maintenance measures.
“At a fraction of the cost of a new compressor, a scheduled overhaul offers serious savings for the owner, preventing cargo damage and costly downtime should a ship’s refrigeration plant fail.”
Separately, Oceanic Technical Solutions has recently secured a long term service agreement with a major EU-based ship manager to implement a programme of planned refrigeration maintenance across its fleet of refrigerated cargo ships.
The company’s managing director, Robert Chesters, said: “We have recently invested in a new purpose built workshop and office facility near Liverpool’s River Mersey. With lifting facilities up to 2t, the new workshop has the capacity to overhaul and repair most models of reciprocating and twin-screw compressors.”
The first batch of compressors under the new agreement is currently undergoing refurbishment at Oceanic’s UK facility, although the company also has workshop and servicing capabilities in Singapore and Dubai.
In October 2015, Oceanic Technical Solutions secured a long-term service contract with Mitsui O.S.K Lines MOL LNG Transport (Europe) Ltd for the annual inspection, leak testing, condition monitoring and analysis of the refrigeration plants aboard all 15 LNG carriers in the Japanese ship owner’s European managed fleet.