Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) has signed a contract with Chinese group Container Lines Company (Coscon) to supply its latest Unitor multi-gas detectors to its expanding container fleet.

WSS is a Wilhelmsen group company which boasts of the world’s largest maritime services network, with 4,500 marine professionals servicing 2,200 ports in 125 countries.

The agreement covers 70 vessels, including 20 newbuilds scheduled to launch between now and 2018. In addition, WSS have signed a five-year service agreement to maintain the detection units, said a statement from WSS.

WSS has established a position as a key equipment and service partner for the Chinese company, and its latest gas detection units and supporting service package again proved to be a perfect fit for Coscon.

A leading global provider of products and services to the shipping industry, WSS is committed to helping its customers navigate regulatory changes.

This deal, valued at over $200,000, illustrates that it is way ahead of the curve when it comes to Solas X1/17. Approved by MSC 93/94, the latest Solas regulations require all ships engaged in international voyages to have, at the very least, one portable four-gas detection unit.

“WSS have consistently delivered the products and service solutions our business demands,” says Mr Mao QingDao, the technical director of the Coscon fleet.

“Their new multi-gas detectors, backed up by their one of a kind onboard calibration and re-certification service is no different, it’s ideal for us,” he noted.

Commenting on the partnership, Aeolus Shi, WSS sales manager for China, said: "Ten years ago we supplied the first generation of Unitor gas detectors to Coscon for its entire fleet of 115 ships."

Coscon, he stated, was one of the world’s leading providers of integrated container shipping service.

"Being one of our loyal customers, Coscon appreciates the quality of our products, reliable service and global network, as well as the continuous improvement in our products and services," he added.-TradeArabia News Service