MAN PrimeServ’s largest service centre is adopting new repair and conversion concepts to address challenges arising from key market trends
MAN Energy Solutions’ largest service centre, in Hamburg, Germany, has announced some significant initiatives to enable it to adapt to changing times in the maritime service sector. The company cites the emergence of alternative fuels, larger ships and shorter harbour stays as general trends within the industry, that have implications for engine maintenance and servicing, both in workshops and for engineers working in situ aboard ships.
Stefan Eefting, senior vice president and head of MAN PrimeServ Germany, says: “Our Hamburg site has developed its own concept to address these new market trends. Accordingly, it is expanding its workshop and developing its specialisation in repair technologies. The future is about new welding technologies, in situ machining of components and extending the service life of components, with an associated reduction in CO2 emissions compared to manufacturing a new part.”
Located in the heart of the port, and specialising in the repair and maintenance of both two- and four-stroke marine engines, as well as turbomachinery, MAN PrimeServ Hamburg has 300 employees and approximately 30,000m2 of factory space.
Olaf Gunia, head of MAN PrimeServ Hamburg, adds: “Our investment in new machines for processing components includes a machining centre that reduces the machining time for certain units, such as piston-crowns, cylinder covers, flywheels and counterweights for crankshafts, by a factor of four. These shorter processing times are intended to take account of shorter port stay times and will reduce costs, which of course will be passed onto customers.”
Another new field for the Hamburg service centre will be the conversion of diesel engines to dual-fuel technology, which will be undertaken by service engineers in Hamburg with the help of MAN PrimeServ’s international network, as needed. The company points out that such projects require complex planning, not only in terms of technicians and tools, but also the dispatching abroad of any components required by the host vessel.
Gunia says: “We are preparing for more conversions, procuring the necessary tools, and training employees to handle the new fuels. Recruiting qualified personnel is a current challenge, but we are steadily adding to our roster with experienced engineers and skilled trades people, such as machine fitters, welders and machining technicians.”
In a big win for the company, PrimeServ Hamburg has recently signed an agreement with Hanyuan Technical Service Center, a subsidiary of COSCO Shipping Group, to provide support services for spare parts, materials, inspections and repairs for all COSCO Shipping vessels arriving in Europe, North Africa and the Near Middle East. The new service cooperation agreement is set to last for an initial period of two years and was signed at the 2024 SMM maritime trade fair in Hamburg.
Gunia says: “As one of the largest shipping companies globally, COSCO Shipping Group is already one of our global key accounts and we cooperate closely in, among other aspects, the supply of spare parts. With this latest service cooperation agreement, we aim to enhance our mutual business in technical services, particularly in Europe, and looking forward, we also see the possibility to extend cooperation to other Chinese customers.”
