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Almaco Group completes major modernization project on Liberty of the Seas

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 14 August 2026 14 August 2026

Almaco Group has completed a major modernization project onboard Liberty of the Seas. Almaco was responsible for the delivery of multiple catering, public, and accommodation areas across the ship. The project took place at Damen Shipyard and was completed in May 2026.

The catering scope covered an approximately 90 m² galley, a 35 m² pantry, and three bar areas: Starbucks, The Lime & Coconut, and El Loco Fresh, totaling about 100 m².

In addition to catering areas, Almaco delivered several accommodation and public area conversions across different decks. On Deck 2, an old conference area was transformed into a new cabin area with 24 cabins, including structural modifications and raised flooring solutions. On Deck 10, the former library was converted into four cabins and a new corridor, requiring additional steel partitioning works.

Further cabin areas were created by converting existing spaces across the ship. On Deck 11, part of the gym and former spa area was rebuilt into eight larger cabins, including structural steel works. On Deck 12, a section of the Adventure Ocean area was transformed into a new cabin area with ten familytype suites, requiring close coordination with other contractors due to adjacent structural modifications.

Almaco also carried out the transformation of the former Sabor restaurant on Deck 4 into the new Japanese restaurant concept “Izumi,” including both catering systems and interior outfitting delivered in collaboration between Almaco’s catering and accommodation teams.

As a full turnkey supplier, Almaco managed the project from engineering and procurement through installation and delivery, ensuring alignment with the ship’s operational requirements. This was a demanding project requiring good communication and coordination with the customer, yard, suppliers, and vendors both before and during the project. Baptiste Guillou, one of Almaco’s project managers, commented the following: “The successful delivery of the project relied on close coordination between all parties involved, supported by thorough preplanning and the ability to adapt to changes along the way. Good collaboration with Royal Caribbean and Damen Shipyard played a key role in ensuring smooth execution. Almaco is pleased to continue its cooperation with both partners and looks forward to future projects together.”

Heat pumps provide a green pathway

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 03 August 2026 03 August 2026

An innovative ferry-to-floatel conversion proves that zero-emission hotel loads are a reality today, offering cruise and ferry operators a highly efficient, scalable alternative to traditional oil-fired boilers and fossil fuel-dependent chillers

The maritime industry is under pressure to decarbonise and this is especially the case for the ferry and cruise shipping sectors, where hotel load demands are exceptionally high. However, while much of the conversation has focused on the adoption of alternative fuels, the transformation of a former passenger ferry shows that the technology to eliminate the emissions generated by onboard heating and cooling systems is already here.

As part of an extensive retrofit programme led by maritime repair and retrofit specialist SRC Group, a traditional European cruise ferry was converted into a state-of-the-art floating accommodation unit, now located off Canada and housing 700 construction project workers.

While the interior arrangement is impressive – with all 700 single cabins equipped with desks and TVs, alongside a gym space – the real innovation can be found below-deck, where six electric heat pumps draw energy directly from the sea. As such, these specially developed pumps eliminate reliance on oil-fired boilers, conventional chillers and effective but scarce shoreside battery-charging stations.

Thermal power

Initially, SRC Group considered air-source systems for the floatel. This option was ruled out, however, in part because the only practical space for these bulky units would have been on the upper decks. Alex Vainokivi, Innovation Manager, SRC Group, adds: “Locating the air-source systems in that vessel section would have eaten into valuable passenger space and altered the ship's profile. Instead, our engineers installed six seawater-sourcing pumps on the vessel's former car deck, in proximity to the engine room’s existing pipework.”

The combined heat pumps, custom-built by SRC Group partner Energy Transfer, provide the floatel with 3,000 kW of thermal power. “The pumps extract energy from 7°C seawater and use it to provide onboard heating at up to 60°C in winter conditions,” Vainokivi explains. “Our heat pumps feature inverter-controlled Bitzer screw compressors and fully brazed plate heat exchangers, all managed by a DUC automation system that controls the flow temperature based on outside conditions.”

The system relies on corrosion-resistant, titanium heat exchangers to circulate a glycol-water loop. In winter, it draws natural warmth from the seawater to heat the ship; in summer, it reverses the process to dump indoor heat back into the ocean for the AC. The result is flexible temperature control all year round, and across various climates.
A scalable blueprint

Since the converted ferry project was successfully completed, SRC Group has officially partnered with Energy Transfer and is now offering these fully electric, modular heat pump solutions for both newbuilds and retrofits.

For cruise and ferry operators looking to substantially reduce their carbon footprints, the heat pump system's cost and efficiency benefits could prove just as appealing as its environmental advantages. “Under favourable conditions, the pumps deliver 11 kW of combined thermal output for every 1 kW of electrical input,” Vainokivi says. “With a thermal capacity range spanning 200 kW to at least 3 MW, the technology provides a realistic path to zero-emission hotel loads.”

As a result of this high-efficiency ratio, shipowners could realise a return on investment within just two years, SRC Group calculates. The ability to scale the heat pumps, along with plans to surpass the current 3 MW upper limit, gives even the largest behemoths in the cruise and ferry segments the opportunity to radically cut their emissions without exorbitant investment in alt-fuels, and without compromising the full ‘onboard experience’ passengers have come to expect.

 

Wärtsilä and Carnival Corporation extend long-standing collaboration with Lifecycle Agreement supporting LNG-powered cruise fleet performance

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 20 July 2026 20 July 2026

Technology group Wärtsilä and Carnival Corporation , the world’s largest cruise company, have entered into an 8-year Lifecycle Agreement covering four cruise vessels within the Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line fleets, including two newbuild vessels currently under construction. The agreement marks the first service contract between the companies covering Carnival Corporation’s LNG-fuelled cruise ships. Under the agreement, Wärtsilä will provide a comprehensive lifecycle maintenance solution for the vessels’ Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines and related equipment. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q2 2026.

The agreement provides Carnival Corporation with more than maintenance support. It delivers a lifecycle partnership focused on maintaining fleet reliability, increasing asset availability and optimising total cost of ownership across the covered vessels. Its performance-based structure also aligns the companies around measurable operational outcomes, including lower unscheduled maintenance costs and fewer unplanned stops. By combining Wärtsilä’s expertise as the original equipment manufacturer along with its extensive digital solutions and global service capabilities, the agreement supports the continued safe and efficient operation of Carnival Corporation’s dual-fuel engine assets.

“The agreement reinforces Carnival Corporation’s ongoing commitment to operational excellence, sustainability and delivering a world-class guest experience,” says Vera Lannek, Vice President, Strategic Sourcing & Asset Management, Carnival Corporation. “By working with Wärtsilä through a long-term lifecycle agreement, we can further strengthen the performance of the covered vessels while supporting the high standards our guests and operations depend on.”

In the cruise sector, where vessel availability, schedule reliability and onboard experience are closely connected, operators are increasingly looking to data-driven, performance-based service models to manage complex technologies and support operational excellence. Wärtsilä’s Lifecycle Agreement reflects this shift, providing long-term lifecycle support focused on optimising asset performance throughout the vessel lifecycle.

“This agreement is the latest milestone in the long-standing relationship between Carnival Corporation and Wärtsilä,” says Andrea Morgante, Vice President, Performance Services, Wärtsilä Marine. “It reflects our shared focus on ensuring high-performing cruise operations through proactive lifecycle support, data-driven insight and close technical collaboration throughout the vessel lifecycle.”

The scope of the agreement includes planned and unplanned maintenance support, spare parts supply and logistics, major engine overhauls, remote monitoring and condition-based maintenance, technical audits and performance reviews, advisory services, crew training, and performance management through agreed KPIs and a performance-based framework. Together, these elements create a structured approach to lifecycle support, helping to mitigate operational risk and drive continuous improvement over the agreement period.

NIT celebrates the successful delivery of Legend of the Seas

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 13 July 2026 13 July 2026

NIT Naval Interior Team has successfully delivered its latest projects on the Legend of the Seas in May 2026, and the shipyard officially handed over the vessel to Royal Caribbean on June 10th. NIT delivered two very different project areas, completing both on time and according to customer’s specifications.

Managing Director Ilkka Hiekkanen expressed great satisfaction with NIT’s delivery and the seamless collaboration between the shipyard and the shipowner: “Compared to earlier Icon series ships, we were able to enhance our own work processes even further. It’s hard to get much better than this.” He highlighted that the customer was highly satisfied with the final result and quality, and that collaboration is built on mutual trust.

Legend’s crew areas

Crew areas (ca. 10 000 m²) include offices, boarding and luggage zones, crew breakrooms and various facilities, and service corridors. NIT remained on schedule for the final inspections that started in January, ensuring all areas were inspected before the sea trials, closing the project on time.

Crew areas are by far the most technically demanding zones on the ship. “If the engine rooms are the heart of the ship, crew staircases and corridors are the veins,” Hiekkanen explained. “Success in these areas is critical for the entire vessel, as all the technical infrastructure is distributed through these. Without our flawless completion, no other area would succeed.”

Project Manager Emil Granberg is certain the success was driven by experienced teams. “NIT site team and our subcontractors were extremely committed to the project, which allowed us to stay on schedule and within budget.” He also appreciated the cooperation with both the shipyard and the owner: “Our cooperation has developed to an even deeper level, with constructive feedback being actively embraced by both sides.” NIT looks forward to continuing the good work together moving to the new alliance contract model for crew areas on Icon 5.

The Royal Promenade

The Promenade area (ca. 7 000 m²) is packed with brilliance, glamour, and the ultimate “wow” factor. It features multiple restaurants, cafes, bars, and shopping areas, showcasing fresh variations in colours and styles compared to previous ships. It also introduces major thematic updates, including a completely new concept for this ship series: Dining Train.

Final inspections on the Promenade were carried out all the way from December until the very end of the project in May. Even with a completely new and intricate area, Legend Station (Dining Train), the team successfully maintained the schedule and delivered all spaces flawlessly.

Teemu Veikkolainen, Project Manager of public areas, also emphasized the power of teamwork: “Our team has continued to grow together, and we have a well-functioning group with a great team spirit.” In addition, he noted the importance of a good network of partners and close alignment with subcontractors. “The cooperation is on a very high level and the success of our projects would not be possible without them.“

Building a series of ships enables developing the collaboration to the highest level with supplier teams as well as with customers. “Mutual trust runs very deep, further evolving with each successful project together. The feedback from both the shipyard and the owner has been incredibly positive and encouraging,“ Veikkolainen added.

The secret to success?

It can be seen that creating these legendary vessels relies on smooth collaboration. Is this the secret to NIT success? Everything starts with good team work, but our teams also bring up a couple of more factors.

“Our competitive advantage lies in our ability to deliver massive areas, with such complex interior design and under tight schedules. And of course, we have the best teams building the greatest spaces,“ stated Hiekkanen.

From the crew project team, the message is clear: “NIT’s super power is our ability to adapt to any situation, resolving all surprises and unexpected events that emerge,“ Granberg said. “Most importantly, it’s the ability to work under extreme pressure while still brining humour to our daily work and keeping up the good team spirit.”

Managing the complex Promenade area is always a tough challenge, but the teams continue to succeed. “Even with two sister vessels already delivered, an area like the Promenade is never easy, especially with all the design adjustments and tight schedules. But our strength as a team is our ability to find a way to make even the biggest challenges and surprises look plausible,” Veikkolainen shared. “We find excitement in challenges and execute them with a smile on our faces.”

NIT Naval Interior Team continues working at Turku Shipyard with the Hero of the Seas, and the upcoming fifth vessel of the series. The Legend of the Seas will start sailing 4th of July in the Mediterranean Sea, before heading toward the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea for the winter season. She stands as one of the largest cruise vessels in the world, with gross tonnage of 248,663, a length of 365 meters and a width of 65 meters.

Photo: Legend Station entrance, credit: Royal Caribbean International