Caterpillar and Tidewater Inc. have signed a global value agreement (GVA) for Tidewater’s worldwide fleet of offshore energy support vessels. GVAs are designed to ensure comprehensive parts, service, monitoring and maintenance support to help reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) and increase uptime and availability.
Tidewater’s diverse fleet of over 200 OSVs, including platform supply vessels, anchor handler towing supply vessels, offshore tugs, and crewboats, will benefit from having a dedicated Caterpillar fleet manager to identify the most effective, efficient maintenance intervals for improved service planning and quick parts availability, company officials said.
Predictive analytics and 24/7 digital Cat engine monitoring will allow Tidewater to track assets’ locations, operating hours, fuel levels, and overall utilization for data-driven efficiency cost improvements. Pairing consistent, dependable global support with innovative digital enhancements will help promote greater efficiency for more than 400 of Tidewater’s Cat engines, increasing vessel uptime, Cat said
As one of the oldest and most experienced providers of marine support services for the offshore energy industry, Tidewater operates in more than 60 countries. Caterpillar’s fleet management services offered through the GVA help improve the availability of Tidewater’s vessels to transport crews and supplies, tow and anchor mobile rigs, assist in offshore construction projects, and perform a variety of specialized marine support services, the company said.
“Working with Caterpillar Marine under this global agreement enables us to enhance maintenance and operational support while continuing to deliver on our goals for safe and reliable operations,” David Darling, Tidewater’s chief operating officer, said in a statement. “We are teaming up with leading global marine equipment providers such as Caterpillar to establish the highest, most technologically advanced and most carbon friendly marine engine operating standards.”
“The GVA is aligned with Caterpillar and Tidewater's vision for superior support and exceptional service for Tidewater’s global OSV fleet,” Caterpillar Marine’s vice president, Brad Johnson, said. “Our fleet management, digital tools and world-class dealer network will enable Tidewater vessels to achieve the highest level of operational performance.”
