MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has recently signed two inspection service agreements with experienced dry bulk shipping operators, ESL Shipping and Wagenborg Shipping, to ensure that essential MacGregor equipment is in good working order and any issues are identified quickly to avoid unexpected downtime.
The first was a three-year service agreement, effective from 1 February, with Finland-based ESL. It will see MacGregor inspect the folding hatch covers and K-cranes fitted onboard a barge and a fleet of nine bulk carriers.
Also effective from 1 February, is a two-year service agreement with the Dutch shipowner and broker, Wagenborg, to inspect hatch covers and winches onboard 19 of its bulk carriers.
“Both of these customers are well-known for their advanced approach to technology and modern, environmentally-friendly dry bulk cargo fleets, designed with year-round operative availability in mind,” says John Carnall, Senior Vice President, Global Lifecycle Support, MacGregor. “Regular, expert inspections ensure that equipment functions as intended and that wear follows an expected pattern.”
“ESL is an important player in Baltic Sea bulk shipping, securing the transportation of raw materials for industrial and power-generation use throughout the year. This requires its vessels to work hard even under difficult weather conditions,” notes Kimmo Huhtala, Branch Manager, Baltic countries, MacGregor. “We are delighted to be the company that ESL relies on to carry out the majority of drydocking inspections.”
International shipping specialist, Wagenborg Shipping, owns around 170 vessels; most of which are ice-classed dry cargo ships designed for worldwide operations. “Wagenborg knows us and we understand its needs,” says Gust Versmissen, Branch Manager, Benelux, MacGregor. “This new agreement covers the inspection of both hatch covers and winches.”
Both agreements stem from new, simplified planned MacGregor service contracts, launched last year. Offered by the MacGregor Global Lifecycle Support division, they are designed to save customers’ money and reduce their maintenance administration burden.