Konsgberg signs ETC contract for new tugs

Currently in build at Sanmar shipyard for the Finnish towage company Alfons Håkans, the tugs will operate in the Finnish and Baltic seas. The agreement covers the support of the US255 thrusters and ND Aquapilot remote control systems.

“The signing of this, our first ETC contract, reflects KM’s increased focus and dedicated efforts towards strengthening our relationships with our customers of the tug segment,” said Odd Erik Bjørkevoll, global customer support, Kongsberg Maritime.

ETC replaces KM’s previous time and material-based customer support approach with a fixed yearly fee. Ordering of spare parts and scheduling of maintenance intervals has traditionally been implemented by vessel crews on an ad hoc basis. With ETC, a greater degree of risk is absorbed by KM through a fixed annual fee, which accommodates both planned and unplanned maintenance.

Data from daily operations is used to assist in the planning of regular maintenance and the ETC also includes the supply of all consumables and contingency parts to keep thrusters in a serviceable condition over the entire duration of the OEM warranty period, which could be anything from five to 15 years.