Wärtsilä, Royal Caribbean to spur sustainability goals through 37-ship support deal

Finnish technology group Wärtsilä has signed a five-year lifecycle agreement with Royal Caribbean Group covering 37 of the company’s cruise ships.

As disclosed, the agreement is designed to optimize 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.

The contract includes both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, alongside Wärtsilä’s Expert Insight service from its global Expertise Centers.

Using AI technology, Wärtsilä Expert Insight is expected to enhance predictive maintenance, which helps boost asset efficiency while lowering operating costs and emissions, according to the Finnish technology firm.

The deal also incorporates a performance-based model, where gains from optimal operation and maintenance practices are shared between the two companies. This model underscores their collaborative approach to achieving peak performance and reliability.

“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,” commented Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä Marine & Executive Vice President at Wärtsilä Corporation.

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

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, the partners highlighted.

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

To remind, Royal Caribbean recently signed a construction contract with Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku for the fourth Icon class vessel.