CC Marine to Provide Mechanical Seals to Two Cruise Lines
MV ORIANA owned by P&O; CruisesInternational marine spare parts specialist CC Marine has secured a six figure contract to supply P&O Cruises and Cunard Line with mechanical seals.
The three year deal will see the Hampshire-based company working in partnership with the two cruise lines to provide technical support, and manage and supply seals for approximately 3,000 pumps and pieces of rotating equipment across the fleet of seven P&O Cruises ships and three Cunard ships.
As the single source supplier for mechanical seals, CC Marine will provide coordinated technical support, seal failure analysis, stock reduction, and a significant reduction in part costs.
Mechanical seals are a key component of a cruise ship’s most important systems, including air conditioning, sanitation and hot water. When parts need replacing spares need to be sourced fast to minimise disruption to cruise itineraries.
CC Marine managing director David Spencer said: “We have been working with P&O Cruises and Cunard for several years, so winning this contract is the continuation of a great relationship as they know they can rely on us to get things right first time, every time.”
As part of this contract, CC Marine is building an asset list of every pump across the fleets, so that when replacement seals are needed the company knows exactly which product should be ordered.
CC Marine’s technical manager, Neil Jefferies, has been in charge of this task. He said: “So far we have surveyed 85% of the pumps in the fleet and have already been able to find considerable savings for the cruise companies.”
One example is reducing the number of different seals fitted on each ship. By identifying where the same product could be used for more than one type of pump, Neil has reduced the seal inventory on the ships from 600 to about 150.
He added: “The benefit of the asset list is that it allows us to manage the whole life cycle of these parts, so there is an audit trail of costs and seal reliability. We can then make sure they get the highest specification seals that are fit for purpose, so they need to be replaced less often.”
The CC Marine contract covers: Adonia, Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, Oceana, Oriana and Ventura for P&O Cruises and Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria for Cunard.
As well as P&O Cruises and Cunard, CC Marine supplies parts to Stena Line, Shell and BP, and many other ships and operators.
Press Release, May 8, 2014; Image: Wikimedia
