SRI LANKA NAVY EMBARK ON UPGRADATION MTTU AND ESTABLISHMENT OF SHIP MAINTENANCE AUTHORITY
An Indian Navy delegation comprised with 05 officers who are in the field of Condition Based Maintenance (CBM), headed by Cmde Kari Muralidar, Director (Indian Navy Ship Maintenance Authority) visited Machinery Testing and Trials Unit (MTTU) facilities at Welisary from 13-18 Feb 23 to evaluate the progress of MTTU and to deliver guidelines as a peer brotherhood institution in order to upgrade the existing systems into an integrated Trials and Maintenance Authority. During the visit many fruitful dialogues and knowledge sharing sessions were augmented with SLN engineers and technicians, which had proved vital in achieving CBM goals of both the navies.
MTTU is well equipped with fully fledge in-house and self-reliant oil analysis laboratory who facilitate their expertise to both naval and non-naval organizations based on the demand. The laboratory being the only of its kind to generate used oil analysis reports, the process was highly praised by Indian Navy team where providing technical expertise with internationally accepted standards of ASTM and ISO to non-naval organizations proves the professionalism and caliber of SLN.
While appraising the work procedures and controlled laboratory management practices at MTTU Indian Navy delegation graded all the other testing facilities such as Ultrasound Inspection, Thermography, Vibration Analysis and Non –Destructive Testing Facilities are well established and provided with vital information onto further development. The team highlighted the precise blend of knowledge, dedication and skill level of MTTU Staff in meeting timely CBM goals will assist SLN to cut down the maintenance budgetary requirements. Indian Navy officers emphasized how CBM is playing a significant role in the maintenance tiers of Indian Navy and outside industries. The calculated Returns on Investments (ROIs) and benefits reaped by ensuring maximum operational state of machinery with reduction of the unforeseen catastrophic failures was shared with SLN, encouraging MTTU to develop further more to a platform of integrated maintenance authority.
MTTU has demonstrated a total ROI of approx. 400 Mn to date since inception in 2012, which shows how successful SLN in moving towards CBM which is the maintenance strategy of today’s modern navies. In conclusion, team assured that Indian Navy will continue to work with SLN for further progression of MTTU and to provide technical supports to uplift the standards on a continuous basis.
