Technology group Wärtsilä and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) have signed a new joint venture company agreement that will focus on the growing Chinese electrical and automation (E&A) market for high-tech ship applications.
The new joint venture will be known as CSSC Wärtsilä Electrical & Automation Co Ltd (CWE&A) and is expected to be fully operational by mid-year. China is a growing market within the high-tech ships segment and Chinese yards are increasingly active in new build projects for high-tech and high-added value ships.
CWE&A will supply China based customers with Wärtsilä electrical and automation systems and equipment for these ships. The business scope will include project engineering, project management, commissioning and supply management of automation, navigation and communication systems, dynamic positioning systems, electric propulsion systems, power distribution systems, entertainment systems, architectural lighting, safety and security systems and full systems integration.
Jaakko Eskola, chief executive officer of Wärtsilä says: 'The CWE&A joint venture enables both Wärtsilä and CSSC to serve our customers better here in the world's largest shipbuilding market. Vessels are becoming more complex, with E&A solutions being increasingly important, and as digitalisation enters the marine industry CWE&A will be well positioned to meet the needs of its customers in this field.'
