Products & services

Telenor Maritime strengthens commercial focus with new CMO

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 27 May 2026 27 May 2026

Telenor Maritime has appointed Melinda Holmgren as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), strengthening the company’s focus on customer experience, digital growth, and commercial development.

Holmgren brings extensive experience from transformation, customer-centric development, and cross-functional leadership within the Telenor ecosystem. She joins Telenor Maritime at a time where the maritime industry is rapidly evolving and customer expectations are changing.

According to CEO Magnus Müller, the appointment reflects the company’s ambitions for the years ahead. “Melinda combines strong commercial understanding with the ability to bridge technology, people, and customer value. As we continue to strengthen our position in the maritime market, her experience and mindset will be important for how we develop both our customer journeys and our business moving forward,” says Müller.

Telenor Maritime has in recent years accelerated its focus on digital services, connectivity solutions, and platform-based offerings for the global maritime market. The company is working closely with customers and partners across cruise, ferry and offshore segments to develop smarter and more connected maritime operations.

Holmgren looks forward to contributing to the company’s next phase of growth. “What attracted me to Telenor Maritime is the combination of strong industry expertise, ambitious people, and the opportunity to create real value together with customers and partners. The maritime industry is changing fast, and I believe there is a lot of exciting potential ahead,” says Holmgren.

Holmgren officially joined Telenor Maritime earlier this year and will lead the company’s product, market, and commercial agenda, ensuring stronger alignment between customer needs, digital services, product development, and go-to-market priorities.

MXP365 enables guest chat on Mein Schiff fleet

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 14 May 2026 14 May 2026

MXP365 Mein Schiff Chat is now live on the whole TUI Cruises Mein Schiff fleet enabling guests to communicate easily throughout their cruise. Integrated directly into Mein Schiff mobile app, the MXP365 chat feature allows one-on-one and group conversations – without requiring external messaging services.

Guests coordinate plans, share experiences, and stay connected with family, friends, or fellow travelers in real time. The result is higher guest satisfaction and a more connected onboard experience, delivering clear benefits for both guests and operations:
– Stronger guest engagement - Digital communication enhances interaction and creates a more connected onboard experience
– Effortless coordination - Guests organize activities, meeting points, and plans directly within the app
– Private and secure communication - Dedicated chat groups ensure a controlled and seamless environment

This rollout reflects the close collaboration between MXP and TUI Cruises, with continuous development driven by real guest needs and operational requirements.

Finnlines selects Valmet’s integrated automation systems to optimize performance of three new ropax vessels

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 27 April 2026 27 April 2026

Valmet has received an order to deliver integrated automation systems for three new ropax vessels for Finnlines. The new vessels will strengthen Finnlines’ capacity on their key routes while supporting their long‑term sustainability and efficiency ambitions.

When planning the next generation of ropax vessels, Finnlines set a clear requirement: the crew needed to have access to all critical information in real time. Fragmented systems, each with separate interfaces, data sources, and maintenance practices, were no longer sufficient.

“Automation plays a central role in ensuring safe, reliable and energy-efficient operations across our fleet. We wanted a modern, integrated view of the vessels’ systems that will simplify daily work, reduce the risk of misaligned information, support consistent operating procedures, and make the vessels easier to maintain throughout their lifecycle. We evaluated our options with these objectives in mind and chose Valmet because of their proven technology and long track record with Finnlines,” says Juha Ahia, Manager, Newbuildings & Projects, Finnlines.

“We are proud to continue our long-standing cooperation with Finnlines. Their commitment to high operational standards and sustainable shipping aligns well with our capabilities in marine automation. Our integrated automation solution will provide a strong technological foundation for the new RoPax vessels and support their performance throughout the vessels’ lifetime,” says Hédi Azzouz, Vice President, Energy, Process and Marine Systems, Automation Solutions Business Area, Valmet.

The order is included in Valmet’s orders received for the first quarter of 2026. The value of the order will not be disclosed.

About the delivery

Valmet’s delivery includes the Valmet DNA Integrated Automation System (IAS), covering machinery and power management automation, alarm and monitoring, and a full suite of operational tools to support safe, efficient, and environmentally sound vessel operations.

The systems will be delivered to the shipyard during 2026–2027, with commissioning aligned with the vessels’ construction schedules.

Foreship provides key design input for launch of first Four Seasons yacht

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 14 May 2026 14 May 2026

Foreship, RINA’s marine consulting company, has been a key force behind the creation of the very first Four Seasons Yacht, bringing its world-renowned expertise in cruise ship design to one of the most anticipated ultraluxury vessels of the decade. Beginning its work in 2019, Foreship helped shape the project from initial vision to technical reality, ensuring that the yacht’s bold design ambitions were matched by uncompromising engineering standards.

The company worked alongside shipowner and operator Marc Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd. and architectural partner Tillberg Design of Sweden to develop a vessel that blends distinctive luxury design with the highest technical standards.

Foreship was responsible for delivering the outline concept design of the vessel and contributing expertise in several areas, including structural and naval architectural items, as well as providing energy‑efficiency studies. Throughout the project, Foreship reviewed the shipyard’s design documentation to ensure alignment with the owner’s vision, regulatory requirements, and long‑term operational expectations.

“Our deep know‑how in cruise‑ship newbuilding allowed us to seamlessly translate industry best practices into this ultra‑luxury yacht project. Our role extended far beyond reviewing drawings, we worked proactively to make sure the vessel is safe, technically robust, and built to perform optimally throughout its lifetime.” says Santeri Ihalainen, Head of the Project Department at Foreship.

Passenger comfort was also a priority. To support an optimal onboard experience, Foreship ensured that the safety solutions were integrated smoothly into the vessel’s architecture, without affecting guest comfort, and carried out additional wind‑comfort studies to optimise the design of the windbreakers.

Among the vessel’s unique design features, two elements stand out: the four‑deck‑high Funnel Suite and the innovative covered lifeboat arrangements. Both required risk assessments and developing alternative design solutions to meet safety and regulatory standards while preserving the owner’s and architects’ design intent, with Foreship providing support throughout the process

“This project has been a collaborative journey between the owner, Foreship, the shipyard, and the designer,” Ihalainen concludes. “We are proud to have supported the owner through every phase, from concept to delivery, to bring this remarkable vessel to life.”

Telenor Maritime and Quvia expand partnership to deliver AI-driven connectivity for cruise and ferry

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 26 April 2026 26 April 2026

Telenor Maritime and Quvia are expanding their partnership on AI-driven connectivity optimisation, following a successful Proof of Concept (PoC) that delivered measurable improvements in network performance and passenger experience.

Telenor Maritime delivers end-to-end connectivity solutions to the maritime industry, supporting both passenger and crew services on cruise and ferry vessels. Joint solutions between Telenor Maritime and Quvia are already active on cruise vessels, with the collaboration focused on strengthening how connectivity performance is managed and optimised across these environments.

“Telenor Maritime has been at the forefront of delivering robust and future-proof connectivity solutions to our customers for decades,” says Magnus Müller, CEO of Telenor Maritime. “With Quvia, we are exploring how we can further develop our ability to monitor and manage performance in real time. Our focus is to deliver the best possible experience for passengers and crew on board.”

Quvia’s AI-driven platform adds an intelligent optimisation layer on top of existing connectivity, enabling real-time monitoring and dynamic traMic management. The solutions will address performance, stability, and capacity during high-demand periods, delivering improved eMiciency and a more consistent experience for passengers and crew.

“Building on our experience supporting connectivity at scale across cruise environments, we see ferry operations as the next frontier – where fast-moving, high-density conditions leave little room for disruption,” said Kidsan Barnes, SVP, Cruise & Ferry at Quvia. “With Telenor Maritime, we’re strengthening how connectivity is monitored and optimised in real time – bringing greater continuity to every journey. At the same time, we’re enabling a more robust platform for personalised passenger experiences, while maintaining stability and eMiciency for both passengers and crew.”

The expanded collaboration was formalised during Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami and represents an important milestone in the companies’ ongoing partnership.