WSS Welding Safety Campaign gets top marks from safety-conscious shipowners

Oslo,  12 August 2014 – Programme of shipboard inspections and reports on equipment safety, crew training and consumables is proving a valuable contributor to promoting best practice

Shipowners and operators are reaping the benefits of the Wilhelmsen Ships Service Welding Safety Campaign, which highlights the need for safe equipment and working practices, together with quality training onboard ship.

The campaign comprises inspections of onboard equipment to provide help and guidance to shipowners in complying with local and national standards and promoting crew competence.

Working with leading shipowners and managers, WSS has completed dozens of onboard inspections and produced reports that enable superintendents and crew to practise safe and efficient welding. The following are a selection of the comments received.

Danny Ingemann, WSS Business Director, Marine Products says the response from owners validates the need to raise awareness among crews of the need for safe practice and high quality equipment when carrying out welding.

“The strong link that the Unitor brand has with shipowners and seafarers means we can fulfil equipment needs while maintaining a central focus on the safety of welding practices. The safety inspection service provides a practical means for owners to assess their current outfit, identify where improvements can be made and take steps to invest where needed.”

The core welding safety offer combines upgraded versions of Unitor-branded welding equipment, the provision of tailored solution packages, safety inspection services and improved logistics for fast and flexible supply of hardware and consumables. Additional training from WSS’ marine products specialists will be teamed with improved customer service throughout the WSS global network.

WSS has produced a White Paper discussing the concept behind the Welding Safety Campaign and how WSS is supporting owners in improving welding practices onboard ship. You can download the paper by clicking here.

Wilhelmsen Ships Service is part of Wilhelmsen Maritime Services, a Wilh. Wilhelmsen group company. It has the world’s largest maritime services network, with 4, 500 marine professionals servicing 2, 200 ports in 125 countries. Wilhelmsen Ships Service supplies safety products and services, Unitor products, Unicool refrigerants, Unitor and Nalfleet marine chemicals, maritime logistics and ships agency to the maritime industry. Last year the company made product deliveries to 24, 000 vessels and handled 67, 000 port calls. For more information, see www.wilhelmsen.com/shipsservice.