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Seatrade Cruise Global launches two-day experience to the food & beverage community

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 17 November 2022 17 November 2022

Seatrade Cruise is debuting F&B@Sea, an immersive two-day experience dedicated to the intersection of the cruise and food and beverage industries, 28-29 March 2023 at Port Everglades, Terminal 2. The inaugural event, an extension of Seatrade Cruise Global, will offer cruise and culinary professionals the opportunity to tap into emerging trends and new offerings through immersive experiences, including a marketplace of curated vendors, dynamic live demos by top chefs and mixologists, and interactive content sessions featuring industry leaders.

“Extensive research by the Seatrade Cruise team identified the desire and demand for culinary-focused programming within the cruise community,” says Mary Bond, Group Director for Seatrade Cruise. “F&B@Sea aims to close the gap with vendor showcases, networking and live demonstrations while bringing together cruise line executives and suppliers to meet, learn and discuss challenges, opportunities and expand horizons.”

The global food and beverage market is expected to be worth $6.4 trillion by end of 2022 and $8.9 trillion by 2026, with six leading cruise lines accounting for over $2 billion in food and beverage annually, according to research by Seatrade Cruise. As cruise passenger bookings exceed 2019 levels and vessel supply chains grow increasingly complex, cruise lines are hungrier than ever for partners who can meet their unique needs and keep pace with the market’s rapid growth.

“There’s so much opportunity across the sector for both cruise lines and suppliers to creatively push the envelope. I’m thrilled to be involved with the inaugural F&B@Sea event because Seatrade Cruise has proved they understand how F&B needs are rapidly changing,” says Rick Welch, CFBE, President for RMW Global Consulting. “The team is up to the task of bringing together cruise executives and suppliers to discuss key trends and industry challenges and opportunities while enjoying experiential offerings in a setting focused on the critical onboard food and beverage delivery."

F&B@Sea caters to the industry’s demand for a South Florida-based gathering dedicated to connecting cruise lines with innovative suppliers at the convergence of food and beverage, entertainment, technology and sustainability. The event was developed in close consultation with cruise lines, food and beverage stakeholders, and culinary leaders with support from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and industry consulting leader MarkeTeam.

"Seatrade’s expansion to include food and beverage represents a huge win for all F&B professionals in the cruise sector. Seatrade is an inspiration—and F&B@Sea will undoubtedly present a fantastic forum showcasing innovative trends in F&B. This premiere promises to serve up a generous helping of inspiration to bring our F&B outputs to the next level and new ideas to address the supplier-base challenges unique to our industry," Adds Rudi Sodamin, Master Chef, Holland America Line & Head of Culinary Arts, Princess Cruises

Seatrade Cruise Global, the world’s largest annual cruise conference, will take place in tandem with F&B@Sea at the newly renovated Broward County Convention Center in Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida on 27-30 March 2023. The four-day conference plans to host more than 8,000 attendees across the industry, including cruise professionals, thought leaders and innovators.

HEINEKEN provides strategic overview for global duty free

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 01 November 2022 01 November 2022

Following a successful time during the Tax Free World Association exhibition in Cannes (3-6 October 2022), Niek Vonk, Manager Global Duty Free & Travel Retail, HEINEKEN provides a strategic overview of the global business in Ferries, Airlines and Cruises. “Our mission at HEINEKEN Global Duty Free is to be the most relevant brewer of Beer, Cider and other relevant drinks categories. We are determined to do all we can to ensure our customers maximise the onboard commercial opportunities. Global Duty Free is a unique and exciting channel for us to engage a huge range of consumers from across the globe with our brand portfolio and we are committed to developing our long-term partnerships in Ferries, Airlines and Cruises.

“As the industry gears up to full capacity, there are still challenges to face, such as the worldwide supply-chain crisis, inflation and the war in Ukraine.

“There are many dynamics in play for Ferries, Airlines and Cruises. Strict health and safety protocols are the new norm, operators are focused on becoming more sustainable and on increasing onboard revenue at a time of rising costs and supply chain challenges. It is in these crucial contexts, that HEINEKEN Global Duty Free is focused on making a big difference, to our valued industry partners with our focus on several strategic areas, as part of our long-term commitment to the channel.”

Portfolio innovations to meet changing customer demands

HEINEKEN rejects the one-range-suits-all strategy that used to prevail when supplying beers and ciders in duty free channels. We carefully develop customised portfolios for Ferries, Airlines and Cruises globally, based on journey origin and destination, sharing re-start learnings from other markets and global beverage trends. For instance, we know in different regions, consumers are often looking for no/low-alcohol beers, trusted local brands or more premium, craft options.

Our latest portfolio innovation is Heineken Silver. Launching now in European Ferries and Cruises. It is a new, extra-refreshing lager brewed to 4% ABV, crafted using an ice-cold brewing process at -1°C to create a crisp flavour and subtle finish. Perfectly suited to the cruise market Heineken® Silver is carefully balanced to provide a lighter drinking profile that works across a wide spectrum of drinking occasions.

So, whether it’s Heineken 0.0 for the non-alcoholic choice and mindful balanced drinking, or Birra Moretti sharing the true taste of Italy, perfect with food pairings, or Lagunitas IPA for fans of US craft beers, or one of the many local favourites we own, like Kalik from The Bahamas, we have the right beer for the right customer on the right ship or flight. Above all, we aim to provide a balanced range of draught beers and ciders underpinned by consumer insights to ensure Ferries, Airlines and Cruises globally delight their passengers and maximise sales potential.

Global sustainability ambition

A key priority for HEINEKEN is the roll-out of our ‘2030 Brew a Better World’ global sustainability and responsibility ambition1. We are partnering with strategic partners in Ferries, Airlines and Cruises with bold goals, aimed at driving a positive impact on the environment, social sustainability and the responsible consumption of alcohol.

Two key examples launched in 2022 are outlined below:

KLM partnership – Brewing with green energy
In February 2022, we announced that 100% of the Heineken and Heineken 0.0 beer served onboard Dutch flag carrier KLM is now brewed with 100% green energy.

Over 2.4 million cans of Heineken and Heineken 0.0, brewed carbon neutral, have since been enjoyed on KLM flights– an important step in a longer journey for HEINEKEN to become carbon-neutral in production by 2030

Alexander de Nerée Tot Babberich, Global Account Manager Airlines, Global Duty Free HEINEKEN comments: “This initiative is part of a long-term strategic partnership between Heineken® and KLM to enhance the in-flight experience. By using the power of wind turbines and solar panels, together with the biogas generated from wastewater treatment plants from two HEINEKEN breweries, we were able to increase the amount of sustainable energy to at least equal to the energy required to brew and package Heineken® beer in the Netherlands, where all Heineken® beer for KLM is brewed. To reach our Brew a Better World ambitions, we know that every step of the journey counts. We are proud to be partnering with KLM on this project.”

Since July 2020, all Heineken beer brewed for the Dutch market has been made with sustainable thermal and electrical energy – an important step in a longer journey for the company to become carbon-neutral in all production sites by 2030.

Sustainable POS in Cruises

Within the Ferries and Cruises sector, HEINEKEN Global Duty Free has introduced sustainable points of sale and merchandising for our customers. Printed materials are replaced with digital formats where possible, while long-lasting POS and merchandising assets made from sustainable and reused materials are prioritised. To reduce waste, we are developing plans to recover used PET kegs from cruise customers. The aim is to recycle them and bring them back into the market.

As HEINEKEN Global Account Manager Cruiselines Christian Klimpke explains: “Doing business all over the world comes with important responsibilities that extend beyond just running a profitable business. As well as delivering on our global 2030 Brew a Better World sustainability ambitions, HEINEKEN believes that achieving real and lasting change comes from partnering with others. We are now actively inviting our cruise line partners to join us on initiatives in raising the bar to progress faster towards a net-zero and fairer world.”

Motivating customers' teams

HEINEKEN Global Duty Free recognises what a tough time it’s been for our cruise line partners over the past two years. To acknowledge their sacrifices and to give them a boost during 2022, we have given away a 20-litre Heineken Brewlock keg and a case of Heineken bottles to every bar onboard each ship our customers were operating. We also gave out free samples of Heineken® 0.0 for crew bars. In short, we are saying to our valued ferry and cruise customers: ‘The first round is on us.’

HEINEKEN Global Duty Free is also prioritising support in driving sales onboard. For busy outdoor pool areas, for instance, we have installed mobile draught beer bars, while detailed sampling plans for Heineken 0.0 include branded merchandising and staff t-shirts for easy and effective execution by our customers. We also recognise the value our partners place on crew loyalty, so we have developed a range of motivational crew training options such as the Heineken Star Serve Program and interactive games to enhance their product learning and to develop their hospitality skills with the chance to win exciting prizes if they hit sales targets.

Our dedicated e-learning platform enables them to discover more about HEINEKEN’S portfolio of beers and ciders, consumer trends and insights, including our important ‘Enjoy Responsibly’ responsible consumption programme.

Meeting business issues head on

Companies are taking a fresh look at their supply chains and HEINEKEN is no exception. Pandemic-related disruption and shipping bottlenecks have forced many firms to shift from a ‘just-in-time’ supply-chain model to a ‘just-in-case’ strategy.

Within the travel retail sector, HEINEKEN Global Duty Free has decades of experience, strong partnerships with industry stakeholders, and the latest data-driven distribution systems to meet the specific and often challenging requirements of servicing the niche Ferries, Airlines and Cruises sectors. Throughout the trading year, we deliver our product within tightly controlled timeframes to minimise out-of-stock situations – a promise we continue to keep.

Celebrity Cruises installs RWO's next generation wastewater treatment plants

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 31 October 2022 31 October 2022

RWO, a leading supplier of intelligent water management solutions, has completed two installations of its next generation advanced water treatment system (AWTS) – the CleanSewage Membrane Reactor (CS-MBR) for Celebrity Cruises. The sewage treatment plant on the Celebrity Solstice-class vessels, Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection, have been upgraded to the CS-MBR system, with an additional three orders placed to complete the fleet-wide upgrade.

RWO’s CS-MBR is a sustainable biological treatment technology that has been designed specifically to minimise a vessel’s impact on the environment, achieve the highest standards for effluent discharge and perform well ahead of regulatory requirements.

The installations upgrade existing RWO MEMROD sewage treatment plants on board the Celebrity Cruises ships, reflecting new regulations for existing vessels operating in Special Areas and anticipate the expansion in regulatory parameters for such vessels from 1 June 2023." The CS-MBR is fully type approved as conforming with IMO MEPC.227(64) including the standards of section 4.2 which addresses nitrogen and phosphorus removal.

Nikolaos Kolyvakis, Senior Ship Manager, Celebrity Cruises commented: “Sustainability is a top priority for Celebrity Cruises and we seek out every opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the highest possible standards in environmental stewardship.”

Lars Nupnau, Business Development Manager, at RWO said: “RWO has developed a strong working relationship with Celebrity Cruises over the last 10 years and we are delighted that the RWO CS-MBR has been selected as part of its Solstice-class upgrade strategy.”

Unique among shipboard AWTS solutions, the CS-MBR treatment process features submerged membranes in its final stage and can remove more than 99% of solids and bacteria, including microplastics and viruses.

“By using membranes in this way, the resulting water is pure enough to be re-used in other ship functions such as laundry or as technical water. The automated cleaning-in-place (CIP) control also makes the system far easier for the crew to operate and extends the membrane lifecycle significantly,” said Nupnau. “If that wasn’t enough, the CS-MBR also has a smaller footprint and uses less energy than comparable systems.”

“The new CS-MBR goes beyond regulatory compliance to minimise environmental impacts and maximise operational efficiency,” added Kolyvakis. “It strongly aligns with Celebrity’s commitment to investing in technologies which help protect the world’s oceans and the communities where we operate.”

Photo: CS-MBR Pump Dosing Station

Marioff extends its BluEdge Elite Service agreement with Royal Caribbean Group

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 27 October 2022 27 October 2022

Marioff has extended its BluEdge service agreement with Royal Caribbean Group to provide preventive maintenance services for its Marioff HI-FOG water mist fire protection systems. HI-FOG systems are currently installed aboard 46 cruise ships in Royal Caribbean Group’s fleet.

The extended BluEdge Elite Service agreement is valid through 2026 and provides added confidence and peace of mind for Royal Caribbean Group. Marioff, a leading developer of water mist fire protection technology, is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, the leading global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent building and cold chain solutions.

Marioff’s BluEdge Elite service agreement will provide a five-year preventive maintenance program for Royal Caribbean Group’s fleet. The agreement also covers the delivery of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) spare parts, 24/7 on-call emergency support and crew training. This service agreement strengthens Marioff and Royal Caribbean Group’s collaboration toward a common goal of prioritizing the safety of passengers and crew.

“We are honored to be trusted with this extensive BluEdge Elite service agreement and excited that our over 20-year relationship continues. Our long-term collaboration to protect passengers, crew and Royal Caribbean Group’s assets began in 2011 when the first service agreement was signed. The service agreement continues to provide the lifecycle services for the HI-FOG system. Royal Caribbean Group can predict and optimize maintenance costs by keeping their fleet safe and uptime maximized,” said Kaius Kovanen, Director, Marioff Marine.

The agreement includes vessels from Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, and TUI Cruises.