Wilhelmsen Makes First Delivery From New Szczecin Service Station

In Wilhelmsen Ships Service’s continued expansion of its service station network, the company has opened its new service station in the Baltic Sea port of Szczecin and made its first delivery. The station is now fully operational and has already delivered the company’s first order for 10 Unitor liferafts to a world renowned American cruise liner, fulfilling an order placed by Wilhelmsen Ships Service’s US office in Jacksonville, Fla. The liferafts were delivered during the vessel’s port call at Gdynia on 19th August 2010.

Following an audit by the liferafts’ manufacturer, the Szczecin office received approval to service liferafts from the Polish Maritime Authority. The service station has now been geared up for taking orders since the beginning of August, for all Polish ports, including Szczecin, Swinoujscie, Police, Gdansk and Gdynia.

The cruise liner is one of several which belong to a company which has signed an agreement with Wilhelmsen for the Liferaft Exchange Scheme. The scheme has grown rapidly in popularity as customers recognise the simplicity and convenience of exchanging out-of-date liferafts for serviced ones on the dockside without any delay.

Wilhelmsen Ships Service’s worldwide network of offices and service stations mean that the cruise liner can swop liferafts in every global region.

The Szczecin service centre now has permission to offer full services on Unitor liferafts and also inspection of immersion suits and lifejackets. It is expected that the service station will handle at least 40-50 liferafts per month.

Wilhelmsen Ships Service’s Liferaft Rental concept makes pricing predictable for customers through an annual rental fee that makes operational budgeting easier. The company also undertakes the liferafts’ due-date monitoring, allowing customers to improve their operation efficiency, thus experiencing a reduction in administration time and last minute arrangements.

Photo Caption: Daniel Kuptz, Service Supervisor Eastern Europe, carefully checking the loading process to ensure everything is done correctly.