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Chinese yards may build cruise ships from scratch in 10-15 years’ time

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 October 2020 08 October 2020

Shipyards in China may build cruise ships from scratch in 10 to 15 years’ time, said Dr. Zian Liu, Chairman of Royal Caribbean International Asia.

Before this, they will rely on cooperation with external partners that will build blocks that will ten be assembled at a yard in China, he said.

Mario Zanetti, CCO of Costa Crociere, said that a joint venture between China State Shipbuilding Corporation and the Carnival group that was unveiled in 2015 remains in place and is making progress to build ships.

Sabrina Bratton, Chair of Ponant in Asia-Pacific, pointed out that SunStone Ships in Miami has built cruise ships in China.

These are expedition type vessels and are being built with the support and to the design of Ulstein, the Norwegian shipbuilding group. A Finnish company is is charge of the fitting out.

Genting Cruise Line expects three ships to sail before year end

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 October 2020 08 October 2020

Genting Cruise Line expects three ships to operate before the end of the year, Kent Zhu, President of Genting Cruise Line, told Seatrade Cruise Virtual event.

One ship has already been operating from Taiwan and Zhu said another one is likely to start operations from Singapore and a third one from Hong Kong or another port in Asia, he said.

Singapore is expected to unveil green light for cruises to nowhere for local residents in the immediate future.

NCLH extends standstill until 30 November

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 October 2020 06 October 2020

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), the third largest listed cruise shipping company in the world, said it would extend the pause in its operations until 30 November.

This includes its three brands, the contemporary market Norwegian Cruise Line, premium market Oceania Cruises and luxury market Regent Seven Seas. The standstill applies to the operations of the group all over the world, the company said in a statement.

Speaking at the Seatrade Cruise Virtual event, NCLH President and CEO Frank del Rio said that it would take at least 60 days to reactivate a ship that has been in lay up for six months or longer. “It takes many steps, we cannot operate in November, so we are looking at post November start,” he said

Carnival expects to resume cruising from UK soon

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 October 2020 06 October 2020

Carnival Corporation & plc is optimistic that it will be able to resume cruising from the UK in the near future, said Arnold Donald, President and CEO of the Anglo-American company.

Speaking at the Seatrade Cruise Virtual event, Donald said that the company has been in dialogue with authorities and other partners in the country regarding the resumption of cruising. “The present advice is that people should not cruise until some time next year, unless this changes,” he said.

On 2 October, the UK Chamber of Shipping, the trade association for the UK shipping industry, said it had worked closely with the cruise industry for over six months developing framework documents for cruise ship operators to implement new measures with enhanced public health protection, the organisation said in a statement.

Maritime Minister Robert Courts welcomed the launch of the new guidance saying: “Our cruise industry has been hit hard by COVID-19 and the government has worked alongside the sector to prepare for a safe and successful restart. This industry framework puts passengers and workers at its heart and is an important step forward to allow cruises to prepare to set sail when safe to do so.”

UK cruise industry develops framework documents to resume operations

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 October 2020 02 October 2020

The UK Chamber of Shipping, the trade association for the UK shipping industry, has worked closely with the cruise industry for over six months developing framework documents for cruise ship operators to implement new measures with enhanced public health protection, the organisation said in a statement.

The framework, which has been shared with the UK government, and was produced in collaboration with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), is the culmination of months of collaborative work between cruise operators, industry partners, and health experts.

It will help inform the restart of the cruise industry when the time is right and public health conditions allow. There is currently no restart date for the industry but the UK Chamber of Shipping, CLIA and operators will continue to work with the government on future plans.

The health and wellbeing of passengers and crew has always been the top priority for the cruise industry, which already implements some of the most stringent safety and hygiene standards. The cruise sector in the UK is worth £10 billion to the UK economy and supports more than 88,000 jobs and the new documents have been shared with stakeholders across the industry and was agreed by the major operators.

Launching the framework, UK Chamber of Shipping Chief Executive Bob Sanguinetti said:“The cruise sector is a vital part of the UK economy. This new UK Chamber of Shipping Framework gives the government, passengers, crew and operators the confidence that the very latest science and medical advice has been included in the industry's planning process.”

“A huge amount of time and effort has gone into this work and the new documents, which are fully supported by the sector, is a testament to the commitment of all concerned to protect the health and well-being of cruisers, seafarers and the public. We are not talking about restarting the sector tomorrow, but it is a vital first step in the process to get cruises sailing again when conditions allow and government guidance changes.”

The framework documents for cruise operators and crew advises on what measures should be considered and implemented on board for the safety of crew and passengers. It also details how cruise lines should communicate with passengers from the time of booking, traveling from their home, to a port, embarkation and throughout the voyage. Similar information is laid out in detail for the safety of seafarers. The passenger guidance provides passengers advice on necessary considerations to be aware of before booking, and information of what to expect, including measures they will need to adhere to throughout the cruise.