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Wärtsilä to accelerate Stena Line’s decarbonisation journey through methanol conversions

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 27 June 2023 27 June 2023

Technology group Wärtsilä has been contracted by Swedish ferry operator Stena Line to carry out and convert some of its vessels to operate with methanol fuel. As methanol is one of the key components of decarbonisation in the maritime industry, this contract will equip the vessels with unmatched fuel flexibility, thus marking an important milestone in Stena Line’s journey towards becoming a leader in sustainable shipping.

The conversions, which are scheduled to take place in 2025, will include the fuel supply system and engine modifications, as well as integrating the new installations with the ships’ existing systems. The contracts were booked as order intake by Wärtsilä in June 2023.

Converting ferries for methanol fuel will enable them to be compliant with various existing and upcoming regulations, including the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), FuelEU Maritime, and IMO 2050 GHG reduction target.

"As we continue to implement our strategy to decarbonise all our operations, we see methanol as a viable alternative fuel that will help us achieve this ambition. Wärtsilä has proven its capabilities to carry out the necessary conversions. This was shown eight years ago when they converted the Stena Germanica to operate with methanol, and our experience from this ground-breaking innovation has been very positive," said Ian Hampton of Stena Line.

"We have had close cooperation with Stena Line for many years and we are pleased to be supporting them again in this important conversion project. Like Stena Line, Wärtsilä is committed to making decarbonised shipping operations a reality, and we have invested heavily in developing our engine portfolio to be capable of utilising carbon neutral and zero carbon fuels," commented Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä’s Marine Power business.

The full scope of Wärtsilä’s supply package will include fuel tank instrumentation and valves, transfer pumps, low pressure pump skid, fuel valve trains, Methanol Fuel Pump Units and the automation of the system, engine conversions, and automation upgrade for the engine control room.

Evac Group appoints Björn Ullbro as new CEO

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 26 June 2023 26 June 2023

Evac Group, a leading provider of sustainability technology in the maritime and building industry, announced the appointment of Björn Ullbro as its new Chief Executive Officer as of July 1st, 2023. Ullbro will take over the position alongside his current role as the President of Evac Business Line.

With over ten years of experience in the maritime industry, Björn Ullbro has brought a wealth of knowledge to Evac Group after joining the company in late 2021. Commenting on the appointment, the Chairman of the Evac Board, Alan Bowkett, said:

“We are delighted to appoint Björn Ullbro as the new Chief Executive of Evac Group. His deep industry knowledge and strategic mindset make him the ideal choice to lead the company towards a sustainable and successful future. I am confident that under Björn’s leadership, Evac will continue to thrive and reach its ambitious targets."

Björn Ullbro commented on his appointment: “I am honored to be appointed to lead Evac Group. We have a strong brand portfolio with a global reach, a talented team, and a bold ambition to be the leader in sustainability in our industry. I look forward to working with the team to deliver exceptional value to our customers and a step-up in business performance as we strive on our strategic mission: a future with no waste."

Björn Ullbro holds a master’s degree in accounting and finance from Hanken School of Economics and has, before joining Evac, held several key leadership positions at Wärtsilä Corporation.

Trimline converts jazz clubs to smoke-less casinos on three Royal Caribbean ships

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 22 June 2023 22 June 2023

Interior outfitter Trimline has recently completed the conversions of jazz clubs into smoke-less casinos on three Royal Caribbean ships - Harmony of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. Ride on squads transformed the areas concurrently and while the ships were in service around the US, with each ship taking approximately 2 weeks to complete the transformation.

Trimline's team of demolition and removal experts, joiners, electricians, decorators, and labourers worked closely with data, IT, and casino commissioning specialists to ensure that their work was completed efficiently and with minimal disruptions to guests and crew. With a focus on safety and customer satisfaction, Trimline's team carefully handled materials around the ship and adjusted their work patterns to accommodate passenger and crew movements.

Despite these challenges, Trimline's team of highly skilled tradespeople were able to bring their expertise to the table and deliver a first-class transformation on all three ships.

In addition to the meticulous pre-planning and commitment of the team, another key factors that contributed to the success of this project was Trimline's proprietary TAPP software, which enabled Trimline and the client to monitor progress in real-time and ensure that all work was completed on time and within budget. Royal Caribbean was particularly impressed with the progress monitoring feature, which provided them with a clear and accurate picture of how the project was progressing at all times.

Trimline Project Manager Billy Morton said "It's been an absolute pleasure to work with Royal Caribbean on these conversions. The team has worked tirelessly to ensure that the work is delivered to the highest standards, and we are delighted with the results. We're confident that these new smoke-less casinos will provide an enjoyable experience for the guests on board."

Brittany Ferries selects RINA’s SERTICA as the preferred fleet management system

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 19 June 2023 19 June 2023

Brittany Ferries, the ferry company connecting France, the UK, Spain and Ireland has selected RINA’s SERTICA as its new fleet management system. The move aligns Brittany Ferries with leading ferry companies operating in France and solidifies SERTICA's position as the go-to solution for comprehensive fleet management.

The decision to implement SERTICA followed an extensive evaluation by Brittany Ferries, in seeking a reliable and hosted fleet management solution. By choosing SERTICA, Brittany Ferries joins the ranks of other prominent ferry operators, which have already integrated the system into daily operations.

SERTICA, developed by RINA, is specifically designed to streamline and optimize maritime operations, by offering a wide range of features for maintenance, procurement, and safety management. The system empowers fleet operators with the tools to enhance efficiency and ensure regulatory compliance.

The adoption of SERTICA is expected to deliver numerous benefits for Brittany Ferries as the advanced maintenance management features will enable proactive vessel maintenance. By adopting RINA’s system, Brittany Ferries will replace multiple systems and reinforce its commitment to excellence and innovation in the maritime industry.

Expressing excitement about the partnership, Arnaud Le Poulichet, Director of Maintenance and Engineering of Brittany Ferries stated, "We are confident that SERTICA's suite of fleet management tools will enhance our operational capabilities. We look forward to a strong and successful partnership in the years to come."

Lars Riisberg, RINA Digital Solutions Executive Vice President, commented, “The success of SERTICA in gaining the trust of major ferry companies operating in France underscores its ability to meet the complex demands of the maritime sector. With its intuitive user interface, advanced analytics, and reporting capabilities, it provides invaluable insights to fleet managers, enabling data-driven decision-making and ensuring regulatory compliance.”

As SERTICA continues to expand its user base among the leading ferry companies in France, the maritime industry is witnessing a transformation in fleet management and operations. The widespread adoption of this advanced solution heralds a new era of efficiency, safety, and reliability for ferry operators and paves the way for further advancements in the maritime sector.

Tillberg Design of Sweden to design spas for Crystal Cruises

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 19 June 2023 19 June 2023

When guests board Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony for their inaugural sailings this summer, a newly redesigned spa concept awaits. Inspired by the Goddess of Dawn, Aurōra will offer guests a destination for personal peace, and overall well-being during their Crystal voyage. With a stunning new design and sunrise-inspired signature treatments led by expert therapists, Aurōra will be an oasis for guests to rejuvenate the body, mind and soul.

A collaboration between Crystal and Tillberg Design of Sweden, Aurōra is set to be the most serene wellness destination at sea, with the design inspired by the gorgeous time of day when the sun begins to rise. With the use of light-bright neutral colors, an illuminated fiber optic starlight ceiling, and organic materials such as Selenite, a natural salt crystal and silk brushed slate stone, the ambiance of the new concept offers guests an oasis ideal for rediscovering their natural shine and radiance.

“We cannot wait for our guests to experience the all-new Aurōra and wellness offerings onboard Crystal Symphonyand Crystal Serenity,” said Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations Bernie Leypold. “Our partners at Tillberg Design of Sweden have created gorgeous spaces reflective of energy, light and balance to help our guests truly embrace their most extraordinary self at sea.”

“Crystal’s spas have been completely reimagined,” said TDoS Partner & Cruise Design Director Iina Forsblom. “They offer a fresh, and welcoming design with new finishes, exquisite materials and a sophisticated color palette to support the new offerings onboard.”

Aurōra will feature the latest technology and treatments through exclusive partnerships with multi-award-winning, number-one British skincare brand ELEMIS and worldwide beauty experts Kérastase®. New treatments will reflect discerning travelers’ continued desire for of-the-moment wellness offerings. Facial treatments have been designed with the goal of renewal and estheticians will be able to develop customized high-performance, next-generation facials utilizing ELEMIS’ advanced BIOTEC technology.

Crystal Serenity will feature 12 treatment rooms and Crystal Symphony 10 treatment rooms, with male and female steam rooms, saunas and a relaxation room on both ships. At the Salon, beauty specialists will offer an ultra-personalized service with expertly trained onboard stylists who will help guests analyze the condition of their hair, allowing for targeted recommendations for treatments and at-home care options.

Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony are currently undergoing extensive refurbishments in Trieste, Italy. When the ships debut, enhancements will include larger, updated suites with artisanal finishes, refreshed specialty dining venues and cutting-edge onboard wellness.