Wärtsilä signs long-term maintenance deal with OPearl LNG Ship Management

Technology group Wärtsilä has entered into a ten-year Lifecycle Agreement with Hong Kong-based OPearl LNG Ship Management, covering 14 LNG carrier vessels. The deal, booked in the third quarter of 2025, is aimed at improving operational reliability through flexible maintenance scheduling and optimised time between overhauls.

The agreement comes as global LNG demand continues to grow, placing emphasis on timely deliveries and reliable operations.

“We currently manage tight delivery schedules and require operations with minimal downtime and reduced maintenance interruptions. This long-term agreement with Wärtsilä is intended to support these operational requirements and assist us in reliably meeting our delivery commitments to our customers,” said Captain Nomura, General Manager at OPearl LNG Ship Management. “We greatly value Wärtsilä’s commitment to innovation and their forward-thinking approach to maritime solutions, which plays a crucial role in enhancing both efficiency and sustainability across our fleet. Their cutting-edge technologies and expertise are instrumental in helping us navigate the evolving demands of our customers.”

The scope of the agreement includes Wärtsilä’s Dynamic Maintenance Planning solution for flexible scheduling and extended service intervals, 24/7 remote operational support, and contract management. It also incorporates Expert Insight, a predictive maintenance system that uses real-time vessel data and AI to detect potential issues early and optimise operations.

“The maritime industry has grown increasingly complex, requiring advanced technology, real-time data, and analytics to ensure efficient and competitive operations while also staying in line with decarbonisation objectives. Our Lifecycle Agreements are designed with all of these factors in mind and are invaluable to our clients’ operations,” said Andrea Morgante, Vice President of Performance Services at Wärtsilä Marine.

The 14 LNG carriers are scheduled for delivery between the third quarter of 2025 and the second quarter of 2027. Each vessel will be equipped with two 6-cylinder and two 8-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines, along with four Wärtsilä Gas Valve Units.

OPearl LNG Ship Management was established in December 2023 as a joint venture by China Merchant LNG, CNOOC, and NYK to act as the ship management entity for the three companies.