Wärtsilä provides Arctic operations support

The aim is to promote sustainable development and increase the safety and efficiency of operations in the sensitive Arctic waters. Through its subsidiary, Transas, Wärtsilä will also develop a solution for the company’s fleet operation centre which will provide integrated infrastructure combining bridge systems and data services.

“The Fleet Operations solution is an important element within Wärtsilä’s Smart Marine Ecosystem approach, which employs high levels of on-board automation, integrity and computerised decision support for safer and efficient navigation,” explained Vladimir Ponomarev, director of Voyage Solutions at Wärtsilä Marine.

“The solution is fleet-size. It enables smart situational awareness, automated voyage planning and optimization, digital (paper-less) navigation, and remote technical support, all of which add considerable value to fleet operations,” he added.

The agreement comprises the upgrade of the navigation systems which will then ensure real-time ship-to-shore data exchange, connecting the onboard equipment with Sovcomflot’s operation centre to enable decision making.

“The Fleet Operations solution will support our strategy, which is aimed towards sustainable development of our Arctic operations,” said Igor Tonkovidov, executive vice president and chief engineer at Sovcomflot.

The Sovcomflot shuttle tankers operate year-round in Russian Arctic waters. The fleet operation centre, located in the company’s St Petersburg headquarters, has already been commissioned and the project is expected to complete before the end of the year.