Celebrity adds a fifth Edge Class

CELEBRITY EDGE © Marc Ottini

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL) has ordered a fifth Edge Class cruise vessel for its Celebrity Cruises brand from Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, with delivery in the fall of 2024.

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Red Funnel’s RED KESTREL leaves builders for Southampton

The freight-only RED KESTREL is under tow to the Solent © Red Funnel

The first dedicated freight ferry in the fleet of cross-Solent ferry operator Red Funnel, RED KESTREL, left her builders Cammell Laird, in Birkenhead, on 11 April bound for Southampton under tow.

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Meyer Werft delivers SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS

SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS was handed over in Bremerhaven © Frank Behling

Today, 11 April, Meyer Werft has handed over the 168,866gt SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS to Royal Caribbean International. Representing the fourth Quantum Class vessel (and the first Quantum-Ultra Class), the 4,246-lower-berth-capacity SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS will cruise out of China, starting on 3 June.

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Aponte acquires OSCAR WILDE from Irish Continental

OSCAR WILDE will sail under the GNV banner © Frank Lose

After having become surplus to requirements following the recent introduction of W.B. YEATS on the direct Ireland-France trade, Irish Continental Group plc (ICG) has entered into a bareboat hire/purchase agreement for the sale of its 1987-built OSCAR WILDE to Mediterranean Shipping Company SA (MSC).

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FSG confident in the future

According to Lars Windhorst there is light at the end of the tunnel for FSG © Frank Behling

Following a period of financial tension, Lars Windhorst – Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft’s (FSG) majority shareholder – used the launching of the 4,076-lanemetre LEEVSTEN earlier this week to express his confidence in the future.

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Another Ciudad for Trasmediterránea

ZURBARAN has been renamed CIUDAD DE MAHON. © Trasmediterránea

Trasmediterránea’s ZURBARAN has re-emerged from drydock in Gibraltar, renamed as the CIUDAD DE MAHON.

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Lengthened CRUISE ROMA back in service

The lengthened, upgraded and freshly painted CRUISE ROMA is now a hybrid ferry with scrubbers © Grimaldi Group

Fincantieri recently re-delivered CRUISE ROMA to Grimaldi Lines. The lengthened and upgraded cruise/ro-pax ferry has meanwhile been re-introduced on the Civitavecchia-Porto Torres-Barcelona route and left Civitavecchia for Sardinia and Spain late in the evening of 9 April.

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Boreal Sjø to operate Tjøtta-Forvik as from January 2020

The Tjøtta-Forvik route is currently in the hands of Torghatten Trafikkselskap © Fiskerstrand Verft

Boreal Sjø has been selected to operate the Tjøtta-Forvik route located south of Bodø in Nordland county.

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Vard delivers third Explorer Class ship to Ponant

LE LAPÉROUSE © Philip Plisson

Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has delivered the third 131m, 184-passenger luxury expedition cruise vessel in the six-ship Explorer Class series to Ponant. Named LE BOUGAINVILLE, she follows LE CHAMPLAIN and LE LAPEROUSE, delivered in October and June 2018, respectively.

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Flensburger launches LEEVSTEN

LEEVSTEN took to the water on 8 April © Frank Behling

Today, 8 April, LEEVSTEN – the first of two additional 4,076-lanemetre ro-ros under construction for Siem – was launched from the covered slipway of Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG).

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VOLCAN DE TIJARAFE to restart Portimão-Madeira summer-only route

VOLCAN DE TIJARAFE will call at Madeira during the summer season © Marc Ottini

For the second consecutive summer Madeira will have a direct ferry connection with the Portuguese mainland port of Portimão.

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Uncertainty continues while FANAFJORD reported sold to Elbferry

FANAFJORD is supposed to be withdrawn from service between Halhjem and Sandvikvåg in the next days. © Uwe Jakob

With only three weeks to go until the projected restart of the ferry connection between Cuxhaven and Brunsbüttel, there is now a little bit more information available with regard to the actual sale of the ferry FANAFJORD.

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HAL names its third pinnacle ship RYNDAM

The third Pinnacle Class vessel is a sister of the 2018-built NIEUW STATENDAM and KONINGSDAM (2016) © Fincantieri

Holland America Line (HAL) announced that the third Pinnacle Class cruise ship will be named RYNDAM.

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Press Releases

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Reveals Growth in Global and North American Passenger Numbers and Insights

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise industry trade organization, is releasing the latest global cruise passenger statistics. Playing a significant role in international tourism, cruising continues at a paced growth around the world with an almost 7 percent increase from 2017 to 2018, totaling 28.5 million passengers. Research also shows North American travelers continue to embrace cruising with an annual passenger increase of 9 percent (14.2 million passengers) in 2018.

Hydroniq to cool polar expedition vessel

Norwegian Ulstein Verft has awarded a contract to Hydroniq Coolers to deliver a hull-integrated seawater cooling system for a polar expedition vessel the shipbuilder is constructing for Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc.

Wärtsilä Online launched to enhance customer experience in managing their installed assets

The technology group Wärtsilä announces the launch of Wärtsilä Online, a totally new web-based customer platform aimed at providing a state-of-the-art support service that allows customers to better manage their installed assets. The new platform replaces the company’s current customer portal, Wärtsilä Online Services, which has been supporting customer installations since 2014.

Wärtsilä Transverse Thrusters the preferred choice for cruise ships

During the past year, the technology group Wärtsilä has received orders to supply more than sixty of its transverse thrusters for twelve new cruise ships being built in four shipyards on behalf of six different owners. This represents the dominant share of newbuild vessels within the cruise sector during this period. The efficiency and performance of Wärtsilä’s transverse thrusters is particularly important for large cruise ships, since manoeuvring and mooring in often crowded harbours is mission critical.

ABB to deliver full power and propulsion package for Seabourn’s two new ultra-luxury expedition cruise ships

Sustaining its strong track record in the expedition ship market, ABB secures power and propulsion contract for the two debut Seabourn ultra-luxury expedition vessels.

DFDS offer passengers fast broadband from Nowhere Networks

The shipping company DFDS has chosen Swedish Nowhere Networks as its strategic supplier of fast broadband on all the six vessels operating the Dover-Calais and Dover-Dunkerque routes.

Carnival Corporation Expands Experience Innovation Partnership with SES

Carnival Corporation announced an expanded relationship with SES, adding the world-leading satellite-enabled video and data service provider as a Global Experience and Innovation – Select Innovation Partner.

ABB strengthens exploration cruise leadership with repeat order from Ulstein for Lindblad Expeditions

ABB has secured the order covering power, automation, propulsion and digital systems for the second icegoing cruise ship to be built for Lindblad Expeditions by Ulstein.

New ground-breaking Wärtsilä high resolution radar increases safety in busy ports

The technology group Wärtsilä has launched its RS24 high resolution radar, the world’s first commercially available K-band maritime radar. By detecting far smaller objects and at a much higher radar resolution than conventional S or X-band radars, the RS24 enables small vessels and other potential hazards close to large ships to be visible. This promotes safety, especially in congested shipping lanes and busy ports. The technology has been developed by Guidance Marine, a Wärtsilä company.

Shell Marine launches Shell Alexia 40 lubricant ahead of IMO 2020 regulation changes

In support of customer preparedness for IMO 2020, Shell Marine is introducing Shell Alexia 40 – a new two-stroke engine cylinder oil specifically for use with engines running on 0.5% sulphur content Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO).

Buoyant Carus adds new client in Iceland

Carus has enjoyed working closely with the outgoing operator (Eimskip) since the Carus reservation system replaced a home-grown system 8 years ago and, while we are of course sad to have to end that relationship, we are excited about working with the municipality of Vestmannaeyjar and helping them to establish themselves on this high frequency route serving Iceland’s Westman Islands from Landeyjahöfn Harbor and Thorlakshöfn Harbor on the Icelandic mainland. The route will shortly also receive the newly built HERJOLFUR II which will replace the 1992 built HERJOLFUR.

A revolutionary approach to interior ship design: Revitalized aesthetics at sea

KNUD E. HANSEN is pleased to announce a new partnership with Danish-based Design Studio B33. The team at Design Studio B33 is comprised of internationally-acclaimed designers with a focus on timeless designs grounded in Scandinavian aesthetics. KNUD E. HANSEN employs a team of highly-skilled naval architects, marine engineers and interior designers with a staff of more than 90, spread over offices throughout Europe, Australia and North America. The partnership will enable KNUD E. HANSEN to harness the latest design trends and incorporate a fresh approach to interior ship design.

Carnival Corporation and NAPA sign extension to service and product agreement for all brands

NAPA, supplier of maritime software, services and data analysis provider has announced a comprehensive service and product agreement extension with Carnival Corporation, the world’s biggest cruise company with a combined fleet of more than 100 vessels across 9 cruise line brands. This covers comprehensive services for the Onboard NAPA Loading Computers, training certification for Carnival’s CSMART training facility, and a framework agreement for future deployments of NAPA solutions.

Havila Kystruten and KONGSBERG signs long-term service agreement

Havila Kystruten AS and KONGSBERG have signed a ten year long “Power-by-the-Hour” service agreement for four new coastal cruise vessels that are currently under construction. The contract value is 150 MNOK.

Cruise Baltic launches innovative Port Development Overview

In order to meet the needs from the cruise lines Cruise Baltic has developed an innovative and online news platform that provides the cruise lines with quick and easy access to information on Baltic Sea port development projects.

Record numbers of cruise guests visiting the Baltic Sea

In 2018, more cruise guests than ever before went ashore at a Baltic Sea port. This is shown in a new report from Cruise Baltic, which also reveals a record high number of calls into the Baltic Sea ports. The compass points towards further growth in 2019.

Fincantieri: shareholders' meeting approves 2018 financial statements-new board of directors appointed

• 2018 Financial Statements approved 
• Dividend distribution of EUR 0.01 approved 
• New Board of Directors appointed: Giampiero Massolo appointed as Chairman 
• Supplement to the amount due to PricewaterhouseCoopers S.p.A. as legal auditor for Fincantieri S.p.A. approved for financial years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 
• Authorization to the purchase and disposal of the Company’s shares after revoking the previous Assembly authorization
• First Section of the Remuneration Report drawn up pursuant to Article 123-ter, paragraph 3, of Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998 approved

Cruise season kick-off in the port of Kiel

The call by the cruise vessel AIDAcara on Sunday, 7th April, marks the beginning of Kiel’s cruise season 2019. Dr Dirk Claus, Managing Director at PORT OF KIEL (SEEHAFEN KIEL GmbH & Co. KG): “The upcoming cruise season will be very exciting and we will welcome a lot of new ships to Kiel.

Rederij Doeksen and Titan LNG sign agreement for LNG deliveries to new ferries

Rederij Doeksen and Titan LNG have signed a long-term agreement for the supply of LNG as a shipping fuel to the newbuild ferries, WILLEM DE VLAMINGH and WILLEM BARENTSZ. The vessels will be bunkered by trucks on a weekly basis. Both ferries will operate on the ferry route to the Dutch islands of Vlieland and Terschelling. As both vessels will only use LNG as fuel, the ferry service can be provided in a much more environmentally friendly way, reducing harmful emissions in the UNESCO heritage area the Waddenzee.