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Harland & Wolff that built Titanic and tens of other liners goes under

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 August 2019 06 August 2019

Harland & Wolff (H&W), the Belfast based shipbuilder that built Titanic in 1912 and tens of other liners, has been placed into administration following the collapse of its principal shareholder, Dolphin Drilling of Norway, last month.

H&W employed just 120 persons at the time of its collapse, a pale shadow of the more than 30,000 that it had on its payroll in its post war heydays.

It has not built a ship since the delivery of a large roro vessel in 2002, but the shipyard has been used by e.g. the ferry industry for maintenance and refit work.

In 2018, the Northern Ireland based MJM Group used the shipyard to revamp the former P&O Cruises Adonia into Azamara Pursuit of Azamara Cruises in a project that took three months and was valued at about £50 million, according to media reports.

H&W had been active in the offshore work, a business that has been badly hurt by the sharp fall in the price of oil in late 2014. This forced its majority shareholder, Dolphin Drilling, into bankruptcy earlier this summer. The company was previously known as Fred. Olsen Energy.

H&W built all the newbuildings of White Star Line, which owned the Titanic, staring with the Oceanic of 1871 and ending with the line’s final vessel, the Georgic of 1932.

It also built most of the liners of Union Castle Line that served South and East Africa from the UK. However, a delayed delivery of Pendennis Castle in 1959 as a result of a strike terminated this relationship.

H&W is also remembered as the builder of Canberra, which was delivered to P&O in 1961. Originally a liner serving the Australian and Trans-Pacific trades, the ship came to play a major role in the development of the UK cruise industry during its 36 year career.

Cruise ship and ferry crew members ‘unhappiest in industry’

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 August 2019 05 August 2019

Seafarers working onboard cruise ships and ferries rank among the unhappiest in the industry, according to the latest Seafarers Happiness Index report, published by The Mission to Seafarers.

The report, which is produced in association with leading mutual P&I insurer the Shipowners’ Club, is based on the responses of thousands of seafarers across the global maritime industry. The latest report showed that cruise and ferry crews had an average score of 5.3/10 on their general happiness level - 15 per cent less than the global average across all vessel types, which stands at 6.27 this quarter, the London based organisation said in a statement.

Happiness levels for those working on tankers, bulk carriers and container ships were all close to the global average, coming in at around 6.3/10. Seafarers on dredgers were the most satisfied, according to the data. However, the percentage of respondents serving on this vessel type was relatively low.

Across all vessel types, four key issues emerged from the survey responses in this three-month period: delayed payment of wages; decreased shore leave; workload stress caused by smaller crews onboard; and a lack of understanding from shore staff with regard to seafarer welfare issues. At the same time, concern around seafarer abandonment continues to grow, with many seafarers expressing a sense of vulnerability following a number of recent incidents around the globe. The Mission also received a number of troubling reports of aggression, violence and bullying against female seafarers.

On the positive side, seafarers’ happiness levels with their ability to keep in contact with their family when at sea rose this quarter. This is an encouraging indication of the benefits to seafarers from improved connectivity at sea, as well as the importance of further improvements in both the availability and cost of communications to seafarers. In other welcome news, happiness levels among seafarers with their ability to keep fit and healthy onboard also rose. In responding to the survey, a number of seafarers also highlighted the importance of physical exercise as a factor in mental wellbeing

Marella Cruises to add second ship to Arabian Gulf 2020-21

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 August 2019 01 August 2019

Marella Cruises, the UK focused cruise line in the TUI AG group that is based in Germany, will post a second ship to the Arabian Gulf in the winter of 2020-21.

Marella Celebration will operate a series of seven night cruises from Dubai from Mid-October 2020 to early March in the following year.

Marella Discover 2 will make a few cruises in the region in November 2020 and April 2021 as the ship gradually makes it way from Europe to the Far East and back, Marella Cruises’ latest brochure shows.

Millennials and younger females increasingly attracted to expedition cruising

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 July 2019 31 July 2019

Expedition cruising offers an option to Millennials to travel in a way that suits their needs, while it also increasingly appeals to e.g. younger female holidaymakers, said Todd Smith, founder of AdventureSmith Expeditions in Truckee, California.

“One recent surprise is a growing number of younger female travelers who book solo trips to destinations such as Antarctica. It’s part of a trend with younger clientele to check off bucket-list destinations while they still have the ability to enjoy them fully, he said in a newsletter, adding that examples are those reaching seven continents before the age of 30.”

There is a growing segment of travelers, most notably Millennials, who are seeking unique and customised trips. “Expedition cruising is a perfect match for them, offering an array of activities from relaxing (sitting on the sun deck of a luxe yacht in the Mediterranean) to exhilarating (cross-country skiing and snow camping in Antarctica),” Smith said.

The typical expedition cruise passenger is educated, 40 to 70 years of age and interested in exploring destinations in-depth and with an element of discovery, active adventure options and education. “They are sustainability minded and interested in contributing to communities and natural environments in a positive way, becoming ambassadors and advocates for these destinations upon their return,” Smith continued.

A trend in the expedition cruising industry is the recognition and growing adoption of sustainable practices. By nature, small ship cruising treads lightly on a destination by carrying a small passenger count, being rooted in the region’s environment, hiring local people, purchasing local goods and contributing to local economies while also maintaining strict leave-no-trace and sustainable operating practices.

“But now an increasing number of cruises offer opportunities for citizen science, beach clean-ups and visits to local non-profits working on conservation. And we’re seeing many extra on-ship technologies and measures like plastic bans, heat recovery systems, desalination plants, biodegradable engine lubrication oils and lower fuel consumption,” Smith concluded.

SeaDream Yacht Club adds the Black Sea, Istanbul and additional Israel voyage to 2021 season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 July 2019 30 July 2019

SeaDream Yacht Club has added eight new voyages to its 2021 schedule for SeaDream II, which prominently highlight destinations in the Black Sea and Israel. After a six-year absence, the boutique luxury cruise line will be returning to Istanbul and the Black Sea. Additionally, due to the popularity of the recently announced 11-day voyage to Israel in May 2021, SeaDream has added a second Israel voyage in October of the same year. It will be the first time ever Israel has been offered as part of a SeaDream itinerary.

The Black Sea voyages feature many highlights, including an overnight in Odessa, often considered the “Pearl of the Black Sea,” where guests will be able to climb the Potemkin Steps and step back in time to the Russian Orthodox period as they enter the Ukrainian city. In Turkey, SeaDream guests can explore the always magnificent Istanbul as well as visit the vineyards and beaches of Bozcaada and the former capital of the Ottoman Empire, Mudanya. Other Black Sea ports of call include Varna and Burgas in Bulgaria, and Constanta in Romania.

The new 11-day Israel voyage will feature Haifa, known for its striking Hanging Gardens, and Ashdod, which provides easy access to Israel’s most important cultural hubs, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. There will also be a stop in Limassol, Cyprus, another first for SeaDream. SeaDream’s two Israel voyages have been perfectly timed to take place in May and October, the best times of year to visit the region.

“It is important for us at SeaDream to follow the sun and listen to our guests and where they want to go,” said Andreas Brynestad, Executive Vice President of SeaDream. “Ultimately, it’s their yacht. Our guests were asking for new destinations and places we have not been to in a while, and we were happy to oblige. We have included Israel, the Black Sea, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and other Mediterranean destinations and are confident our guests will welcome the new additions.”

Other unique destinations for 2021 include Neum in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kavala in Greece, which is famous for its Roman aqueducts. Additionally, an overnight in Casablanca will provide for the perfect opportunity to experience the splendor of Marrakesh, and SeaDream will also be returning to Bordeaux, following a couple of popular voyages to the port this year which included exceptional Yachting Land Adventures. SeaDream’s 2021 Mediterranean voyages have at least one overnight in every voyage as well as no sea days. With every new destination comes a different and exciting adventure on SeaDream.