Workforce to be cut at MV Werften

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 17 February 2021 17 February 2021

MV Werften, the German shipbuilder that is part of Genting Hong Kong group, will have to reduce its workforce in order to continue restructuring of the business of the cruise shipbuilder, it said in a statement.

Earlier this month, the negotiations between the management, the works councils and IG Metall, the powerful steel and engineering industry trade union, on the restructuring concept of the shipyards were intensified again.

“Specifically, it is about securing ongoing shipbuilding projects and employment scenarios for a final loan commitment from the economic stabilisation fund. The prerequisite for the granting of federal loan funds is the adjustment of the workforce to the order situation,” the company said.

The company currently employs about 2,800 people.

“Despite the necessary staff reductions, all those involved assured their full support in efforts to achieve social compatibility, a balance of interests and a transfer company,” it added.

Peter Fetten, Managing Director of MV Werften said in the statement: “It must be the joint effort of the federal government, the state, IG Metall, works councils and us as management to continue the current projects successfully and to regulate the financing conditions for new orders at the same time. A positive development would also result in an increase in the number of staff. "

Ines Scheel, General Works Councilor at MV Werften noted: “After the very successful development of our shipyards over the past 10 years, we cannot allow a virus to stop us within 10 months. Political courage and reasonable financial terms are now required.”

MV Werften is building three 19,500 gross ton high end of the market expedition cruise ships and three 65,000 gross ton ice class luxury segment ships for Crystal Cruises, which is part of the Genting Hong Kong group.

Its orderbook also comprises six 88,000 gross ton Genting Universal class ships for Genting Hong Kong plus two 208,000 gross ton ships for Star Cruises, also a Genting Hong Kong group member, according to SHIPPAX Info.

It has three facilities, which are located in Wismar, Rostock and Stralsund on the German Baltic coast.

Photo: Global Dream is one of the two 208,000 gross ton cruise ships on order at MV Werften

Carnival prices $3.5 billion senior unsecured notes

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 15 February 2021 15 February 2021

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping company, has announced that its US listed and Panama domiciled holding company Carnival Corporation has priced the private offerings of $3.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.75% senior unsecured notes due 2027.

The offering of the notes is expected to close on February 16, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

“The Senior Unsecured Notes will pay interest semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on September 1, 2021, at a rate of 5.75% per year.  The Senior Unsecured Notes will be unsecured and will mature on March 1, 2027,” the company said in a statement.

“The Senior Unsecured Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis, jointly and severally, by Carnival plc and certain of the Corporation's and Carnival plc's subsidiaries that own or operate our vessels and material intellectual property and that guarantee certain of the Corporation's first-priority secured indebtedness, and the Corporation's second-priority secured indebtedness,” carnival said.

The net proceeds would be used to make scheduled principal payments on debt during 2021 and for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, the financing or refinancing of a portion of the purchase price, rental payments, costs and expenses related to certain of our current and future property, plant and equipment (including leased assets and vessels) and their repair, replacement and improvements, as well as any other payments related to our vessels' ready-for-sea costs, in each case to the extent such amounts are not covered by the Corporation's existing and future export credit facilities,’ Carnival said.

Swan Hellenic to require Covid-19 vaccination for staff and crew

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 15 February 2021 15 February 2021

Swan Hellenic, the Nicosia based expedition cruise line, said that it has introduced valid Covid-19 vaccination as a pre-embarkation medical requirement for all crew and staff.

“The vaccination cycle will be carried out at recruitment centres or in the home countries of the crew members in accordance with current local guidelines and approved medical protocols,” the company said in a statement.

So far, Saga Cruises that operates two high end of the market cruise ships on the UK market, has decided to require Covid-19 as a precondition for boarding.

Swan Hellenic said this decisive action to protect staff and guests on the iconic cultural expedition cruise pioneer’s new ice-class ships completes an industry-leading package of health measures to ensure a safe environment on board.

“First and foremost, its fleet of three new ships is being built with the very latest hygiene technology and to the highest standards in consultation with world-leading onboard healthcare and public health experts Vikand. All the onboard air conditioning plants, for example, are UV sanitised using the most advanced technology,” the company said.

In addition, all Swan Hellenic staff are trained and monitored in implementing all the procedures and practices specified by industry standards and required by the authorities at time of sailing, including the routine regular pre-boarding and on-board tests, as well as rigorous sanitising of the ships’ public areas, staterooms, technical areas and crew and staff quarters, the company said.

 

Two SunStone's newbuilds completes sea trials

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 14 February 2021 14 February 2021

SunStone Ships, the largest tonnage provider in the expedition market, announced the successful Sea Trials of their third and fourth next-generation, Infinity-class vessels (CMHI 196-3 and CMHI 196-4).

With a goal of marrying European design and quality with Chinese ship-building efficiency, the Infinity-class delivers cutting-edge design, innovations like X-bow technology, and significant operating efficiencies.

SunStone CEO, Niels-Erik Lund, commented, “We are very pleased with the quality and high building standards of China Merchants Heavy Industry, which are fully at the level of European Shipyards. We are looking forward to continuing our relationships with all our partners in the Infinity-class project and we, even considering the continued Covid-19 world crisis, are moving fast forward as planned at very satisfactory speed, safety and quality level.”

On January 22, 2021 Sea Trials began on Ocean Victory and Ocean Explorer (CMHI 196-3 and CMHI 196-4). Sea Trials consisted of five days of intense testing of each vessels system while underway in the south China sea. Over 150 people were onboard each vessel during the Trials from the Shipyard, Bureau Veritas (Class society), managers crew (CMI), and SunStone Marine Advisors (Owners Site Team). Both vessels completed successful sea trials just prior to the Chinese New Year.

Infinity-class vessels are 104 meters long, and 18 meters wide, having a draft of 5.1 meters. They feature a passenger capacity between 130-200 and a crew capacity between 85 and 115. The vessels are Ice Class 1A, Polar Code 6 and are being built with Safe Return to Port, Dynamic Positioning and Zero Speed Stabilizers. The vessels are featuring the X-Bow by Ulstein Design & Solutions. They are small enough to give an exclusive atmosphere and yet large enough to yield all expected services and facilities such as a swimming pool, bar and restaurants, lounges, boutique, gym and spa.

Current Infinity-class new-builds under way after the delivery of Greg Mortimer are; the Ocean Victory, the Ocean Explorer and Sylvia Earle with delivery in 2021, the Ocean Odyssey and Ocean Albatros with delivery in 2022 and the Ocean Discoverer with delivery in 2023. All vessels ordered have long-term charter agreements in place.