By
Richard Humphreys |
This article was first published in the Spring/Summer 2019 issue of Spring/Summer 2019 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
Ordering paint stocks for onboard maintenance is no longer a simple matter of assessing supply and demand like in the past. Operators now need to make sure their vessels are ship-shape to meet charterer requirements and the changing economics of the business.
Increasingly, operators are searching for new solutions to make onboard maintenance more efficient, particularly in regard to tackling the challenges of tough operational environments, limited crew knowledge and planning constraints.
To meet the needs of the market and customers, Jotun has established its SeaStock Management Solution. “Any marine vessel in operation needs to be maintained. Not merely for its aesthetic appeal, but also for its efficient and effective operation and steel preservation,” says Øyvind Abusdal, global concept director of Marine SeaStock. “Our solution offers control of the operator’s seastock, giving them full control and predictability of their onboard maintenance. So, they can save time, reduce hassle and focus on what really matters – their core business.”
Expanding on the service offering, Abusdal says: “Most paint manufacturers will claim to provide value-adding solutions. But ultimately, it’s not just about the paint – it’s about the quality of the solutions and services they provide, and meeting customer expectations.
“Through SeaStock Management Solution, Jotun will fully manage the operator’s onboard maintenance, tailoring a maintenance plan based on the vessels’ age, type, size and target condition. We also train and support the crew, following up with onboard inspections, vessel management and reviews. A dedicated team from Jotun will ensure that their onboard maintenance is optimal, for a fixed fee, so customers know everything is fully transparent.”
By taking a holistic approach, Abusdal firmly believes it is possible for owners and operators to achieve a safe and efficient process of paint maintenance that can translate into thousands of dollars of cost savings and, at the same time, contribute to reducing waste.
“We see significant benefits gained by operators when they apply our solution,” he explains. “With longer maintenance intervals, long-term paint consumption and maintenance cost will be reduced, as well as reducing the time crew spend on paint jobs. Ultimately, this prolongs the life of a vessel.”
Typical savings are difficult to quantify as this depends on the maintenance strategy and the paint solution chosen by the owner. “As a rule of thumb, an owner spends close to as much on sea stock as he does in dry dock over a vessel’s lifetime and that can be a significant amount,” says Abusdal. “A shoddy application will hamstring even the most advanced coating, which is why operators should think about more than just the cost of paint. It’s easy to cut costs on something like coatings. But the risks of this approach – increased dry docking costs, wasted man-hours, and even premature scrapping of ships – are harder to calculate. After all, with so many day-to-day concerns, holistic thinking is challenging.”
That’s where Jotun comes in. “With SeaStock Management Solution, we maintain a close relationship with our customers, giving them not only the paint, but also the tools they need to make their ships go further,” says Abusdal. “Our integrated services all play a part in helping customers achieve safe and sustainable operations.”
The SeaStock Management Solution is gaining traction in most sectors, including cruise. “Cruise is an important segment for Jotun,” says Jorunn Sætnøe, Jotun Paint’s cruise concept manager for Europe and the Americas. “Operators are realising the benefits of our solution, enabling them to achieve predictability and control through more streamlined maintenance and purchasing routines.”
Having seen the advantages of the SeaStock Management Solution first-hand, a major cruise operator commented: “We are very satisfied with the results achieved. The condition of our vessels has improved significantly, the maintenance intervals have been prolonged, and our crew is more professional and efficient thanks to the continuous follow-up from Jotun’s technical team.”
The global cruise ship fleet currently stands at 357 vessels and rising international tourism driven by economic growth is anticipated to drive further expansion. In the segment of cruise ships weighing more than 100,000gt, the yearly deliveries are expected to increase to 8-10 vessels between 2019-2022.
Interest in exploration-type cruises is also expected to continue to rise. Overall, a newbuild volume of 1.1 million gt (24 cruise newbuilding projects) is expected on average per annum in the 2020-2023 period.
“The cruise industry is more image-conscious than any other shipping segment. It is also at the forefront of innovative solutions and quality control,” says Sætnøe. “It is therefore likely to continue its leading position as it pushes for more sustainable operations.”
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