By Tom Holmes From readmt

15 year service agreement worth more than $50m and covers six vessels

ABB reaches agreement with Royal Caribbean

ABB has signed an extensive service agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises to increase cost efficiency and predictability of maintenance costs. The agreement spans 15 years and encompasses six vessels under RCC’s brands Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International. The financial value of the service agreement is in excess of 50 million USD.

The agreement covers four Solstice and two Oasis class vessels and includes an option to extend the agreement to additional existing vessels, vessels that are currently under construction and future newbuilds. The Solstice and Oasis class vessels all feature ABB’s Azipod propulsion technology.

Under the service agreement, ABB will deliver RCC vessels a range of services that optimize the life cycle of the vessels: scheduled dry docking services, Azipod propulsion unit modernizations and condition based maintenance services, which contributes to better predictability of maintenance costs.

“Cruise segment customers are increasingly focusing on optimizing the life cycle of their fleet and investing in solutions that boost cost efficiency. The service agreement with Royal Caribbean is a token of trust that we understand the needs of our customers and deliver tangible benefits, improving their profitability”, says Heikki Soljama, head of ABB’s Business Unit Marine and Cranes.

“ABB is a leader in their field and we are investing in their expertise through this relationship to help ensure the optimal life cycle management of our ships,” said William Baumgartner, senior vice president of Marine Operations at Royal Caribbean International. “Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises lead their segments for the distinctive vacations we deliver. This is due largely to the dedicated men and women who deliver great service daily and also due to our most innovative ships with cutting edge technology, strong brand image and cost discipline. ABB will help us keep our ships performing at their peak; minimize costs; and improve our overall profitability.”

The successful collaboration between Royal Caribbean Cruises and ABB dates back well over a decade. Royal Caribbean has selected ABB’s Azipod propulsion system to more than 20 new buildings, including the world’s largest cruise ship Oasis of the Seas and her sister vessels.

For more on this story go to: http://readmt.com/news/article/2014/09/08/abb-reaches-agreement-with-royal-caribbean/