The next regular docking is always closer than you would like it to be. And every time you are confronted with the same challenges.
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Choosing the right parts
By now, it’s become clear that a type approval is only valid if you use original parts. It’s important to quickly and easily select the ideal replacements for your SKF Simplex seals and to have specialist support at hand.
Coordinating all services needed
Shipyards offer many services you need during dry docking. But not all of them. It can be a challenge to even think about all the maintenance and repair steps you should take during this precious time, align them perfectly, and make sure both the special equipment and the expert support you need is available.
Using dry docking phases most effectively
The shorter time your vessel is docked, the more money you save. Repairs and other services therefore need to be carried out as quickly as possible. Reacting to unforeseen challenges needs to be fast, too: from last-minute spare part manufacturing to delivery, for example.
Advanced shaft line service support
A job well prepared is a job half done: Before your vessel arrives at the dry dock, SKF Marine professionals assist you in creating an efficient plan by providing SKF product knowledge and full transparency over our service delivery conditions. Based on your individual needs we derive a list of optimal replacement parts for you and make sure that even the most customized of parts will be right there waiting for you.
Our staff of certified experts at SKF Marine and in our service stations around the world are trained regularly. They always deliver efficient support and they ensure that your vessel complies with all relevant regulations and gets type approved for all major associations.
@Markus: MOVE
Full-service spare part and repair management
With SKF Marine, replacing your old Simplex seal components like sealing rings, liners and distance rings becomes a worry-free, comfortable experience. A single point of contact right by your side provides fast and easy support, and ensures all resources needed are at the right place at the right time – from the spare parts to the service technicians with the special expertise your vessel requires.
Time-critical and even unforeseen repairs are carried out quickly, without any compromises in quality. Of course, you can be certain to fulfill all relevant regulations.
What if parts need to be replaced unexpectedly?
SKF Marine has extra production capacities available at short notice. If a spare part is not available on stock, such as a split liner with additional oil pockets, we manufacture it on demand.
Aren’t non-OEM parts cheaper?
While there are several cheap components available, you run a high regulatory and financial risk by using them. Type approval is only possible with original parts. Apart from that, the reliability of third-party components is questionable at best. When they fail, you may need to dock unexpectedly. Also, specialist knowledge needed for repairs may not be available. Original parts on the other hand offer a lifetime guarantee and SKF Marine services deliver all maintenance knowledge required.
Spare parts and repair services
- 24/7 hotline with technical support
- Highest availability of standard components and spare parts
- Additional express production capacities
- Track & trace system for delivery monitoring
- Underwater repairs
Machine support services
If technical issues arise, you can always rely on our additional machine support services, ranging from drilling and milling for various ship components all the way to on-site machining of shafts including calculation and visualization of optimal alignment.
@Markus: MOVE
Customer stories and insights
Learn more about the experiences of SKF Marine customers and what you should know before your next docking.
The specialists in high demand
The people behind a unique global maritime service
A trimmed tanker in a Norwegian fjord: two service technicians, both of whom have just arrived from Hamburg, work on an exposed propeller. Less than 24 hours later, they have repaired the faulty shaft seal. And while the ship sails on to its destination, the technicians fly to their next assignment—one is needed in Shanghai, the other in Cape Town.
Better service, less downtime
From an economic point of view, downtime in the shipping industry has a significant consequence: increased costs. Therefore, it is irrelevant whether it is an unexpected defect on a Norwegian tanker or the scheduled maintenance of a cruise ship. In order to avoid astronomical costs, operators must resort to a quick and competent service.
Technicians with outstanding knowledge
What sounds like a team exercise is actually in practice a one-man show. “In 70 percent of cases, we only send one employee out,” explains Jan Hoffmann, the SKF service team leader in Hamburg. “The technician takes on the role of service manager on site and gets the correct processes underway. This ranges from working on propellers to the coordination of target-focused project management.”
Their expertise is outstanding: Through regular training, the mechanics are well versed in the theoretical and practical side of all products relating to shaft components. Moreover, they must be recertified every three years.
The technicians are also involved in product development. For Hoffmann, an important factor is: “Our colleagues don’t just get an overview of innovations, they can also pass on valuable input from the field.” In this way, the technicians possess knowledge of both the practical application and research—an advantage for the customer, as they have highly experienced experts whom they can trust and share feedback with.
Prepared around the world
Ship operators, shipyards, and also engine manufacturers around the world rely on the service. Therefore, customer locations and requirements vary drastically. This is a logistical challenge that requires meticulous planning.
As team leader, Hoffmann is responsible for the coordination of the specialists from Hamburg. First, he checks whether the local offices or contract partners have the capacity needed to perform the job. If they cannot fulfill the demands, a technician is sent out—even if they have to travel thousands of kilometers to reach the location. This network ensures that the customer can always count on high-quality service.
Everything is organized in advance, from travel planning and access to the shipyards to making detailed plans relating to the docks and the work to be completed. Being able to react flexibly to situations is an important part of the job, not just for the team leader, but also for the technicians. “Our lead times range from three months to one day. In both cases, the same high standards have to be met.”
Unique projects are implemented in this manner, just like the repair of an Italian cruise liner. In this case, a fishing net had damaged the sterntube. Within three days, the service team planned the procedure and then carried it out within 24 hours, while the vessel was in operation—the Mediterranean cruise was able to continue without losing time. Overall, it was a success for the operator, the passengers, and the service team.
The SKF crew is just one example of a global OEM service of this type. But whatever the situation, the effort is enormous and the contribution is important in keeping the maritime industry afloat in many locations.
Why use services from an OEM?
- There from the start: The technicians are always fully involved—from development to actual use. They truly know the product inside and out.
- Loyalty to the product: Every service employee identifies themselves with the OEM’s brand, they know the qualities of their company’s own product, and they handle it with extra care.
- Quick and efficient: Upgrades, retrofits, repairs—all work is carried out with precision because the technicians are specially trained for the product.
- Comprehensive knowledge: With full understanding of both the theory and the practice, technicians can correctly diagnose faults and efficiently resolve them.
- Influence product development: Technicians learn from their experiences and feedback in the field. This enables them to improve future products and make upgrades.
Sailing on the safe side
Why you should choose OEM replacement parts
Shipowners and operators are under pressure to reduce costs. As a result, some choose to source spare parts from third-party providers. But this is a risk. This article covers two specific examples of how OEM replacement parts help keep you on the safe side.
The market for replacement parts is becoming more competitive. An increasing number of providers are offering replica parts at reduced costs. However, these providers — sometimes dubbed ‘pirates’ or ‘gray market suppliers’ — cannot offer the same approvals and guarantees that come with genuine parts from OEMs. This greatly increases the severity of the consequences if something goes wrong.
The seal of approval
Take sealing systems for example. To gain type approval — confirmation that an item meets the required specifications — all products and components are inspected by an independent body, e.g. a classification society. However, a system can only be approved if all its parts are original. If a ship operator sources a replacement part, such as a sterntube sealing ring, from a provider other than the OEM, they are at risk of losing their type approval. The OEM can no longer assure the safe operation of the system.
This causes several risks. For instance, if there is a leakage, the ship operator will be liable for any pollution caused. Such an incident can quickly lead to large fines — potentially amounting to millions of dollars. Furthermore, insurance companies may not cover the cost of damages if they find that the sealing system is not type approved.
With oily water separators, there is a slight difference. These systems are subject to the MARPOL convention, set out by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Here, the risks of non-compliance are even higher. If a random port state control (PSC) inspection finds that non-approved parts are used in the system, it is deemed to be “willful manipulation”. The penalties for this are severe and, depending on the flag state, could result in fines and detainment.
Gain peace of mind
Ultimately, the best way to gain peace of mind is to source your replacement parts from the OEM itself. This not only guarantees compliance with the type approval specifications and reduces the risk of penalties, but also ensures the quality and reliability of your parts. With genuine spare parts, you are sailing on the safe side.