Wartsila opens propeller repair facility in Sri Lanka

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

Wartsila, a global leader in complete life-cycle power solutions and services, opens a new propeller metallurgical repair facility in Wattala.

The new repair facility enables Wartsila Sri Lanka to offer a wide range of services with rapid response times. The workshop was inaugurated by Wartsila Corporation Service Unit Director for South Asia Sudhir Singhal, and Wartsila Sri Lanka Managing Director James Rajan. The facility is strategically located near the main shipping routes and port of Colombo.

"The new propeller repair facility strengthens our service offerings to Colombo Dockyard, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, local shipping customers and other vessels visiting Sri Lanka. Our customers will benefit from the increased range of services we now can provide," Wartsila Corporation Service Unit Director for South Asia Sudhir Singhal told Daily News Business.

The facility, located in Wattala, is equipped with overhead cranes,advanced machining equipments, testing devices and the latest technology of service tools.

The services offered include full repair operations of propulsion systems, as well as propeller welding, straightening, grinding, propeller balancing, heat treatments after repair and super polishing of propellers.

"Efficient propellers and propulsion system, saves a considerable amount of fuel and operating costs for the customer. Repairs will be done with the shortest possible downtime under OEM quality and warranty. Upgrading of existing installations can yield considerable savings" Wartsila Sri Lanka, Managing Director James Rajan said.

Wartsila Sri Lanka General Manager Petri Koskinen, said "Conversion of anopen propeller to a ducted propeller can improve efficiency by up to 15% super polishing of the propeller and repairing edge damage can improve efficiency by 2-4 %. The propellers after repair are as good as new."

Services are one of the three Wartsila's businesses alongside Ship Power and Power Plants. Wartsila Services cater to both the global marine and energy markets and operates the most extensive service network in the industry.

The company's extensive portfolio of services includes, spare parts and field services, as well as servicing of engines, propulsion systems, electrical and automation systems, and boilers. It also covers environmental services and solutions, upgrades and conversions, long-term agreements for engine and propulsion systems, as well as training services.

Wartsila services business is also in the forefront in developing new service concepts to meet customer needs for optimal operational efficiency. Wartsila is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for marine and energy markets. By emphasizing technological innovation and total efficiency, Wartsila maximizes the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2011, Wartsila's net sales totaled to EUR 4.2 billion with approximately 18,000 employees. The company has operations in nearly 170 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wartsila is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland.