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AIDAnova named in Papenburg

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 31 August 2018 31 August 2018

AIDA Cruises has named its latest ship AIDAnova on Friday evening. The spectacular naming ceremony took place at the completely sold-out AIDA Open Air at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, attended by 25,000 spectators. The highlight of the evening was the biggest solo headline show by star DJ/producer David Guetta.

"AIDAnova’s naming ceremony was a special event in a special place: We are delighted that we were able to stage the AIDA Open Air in Papenburg at the Meyer Werft shipyard, so that we could share our enthusiasm about our new ship with so many people. At the same time, this event was a thank-you to our partners, to the Meyer Werft shipyard, and to the many thousands of people who have helped make AIDAnova what is already the eighth AIDA cruise ship to be built on the Ems," said AIDA President Felix Eichhorn.

AIDAnova was imposingly illuminated with lighting and laser effects in front of the shipyard hall in Papenburg, and an impressive laser show brought the ship to life. The 20 multicolored laser projectors, over 300 strobes and more than 100 floodlights and spotlights made the ship glitter and shine. Two aqua acrobats ascended with their luminous flyboards to a height of 20 meters, gliding across the surface of the water, and creating fountains in the air with their amazing stunts.

Another novelty at the naming ceremony: For the first time it was not just one godmother who named the ship but rather an entire family: Sonja (31), Asad (33) Mirza, and their children Sophia (2) and Adrian (3) from Hanau. Mother Sonja spoke the blessing.

"Dear Godchild, You are very welcome to the AIDA family. You bring the whole word together in a single place, and you will make many guests of all ages happy. We name you AIDAnova and hope you, your guests and your crew will always enjoy smooth sailing, fair winds and following seas."

The hand of godmother Sonja hit the buzzer and the champagne bottle shattered against the bow. A laser wave effect brought a smile to the AIDAnova lips, and made the eye wink. After that, fireworks lit up the sky above AIDAnova in golden colors before the evening’s highlight concert started.

DJ / producer David Guetta got the ecstatic audience dancing with real chart fireworks, including songs such as "I Gotta Feeling," "Flames" or "When Love Takes Over." This thrilling live concert was rounded off with a perfectly staged laser and pyrotechnics show.

At the end of September AIDAnova will be going on her first short trip, setting sail for Eemshaven in the Netherlands for final fit-out and sea trials. AIDA will take over the new ship from the Meyer Werft shipyard on November 15, 2018, in Bremerhaven. On that day, the first guests will also be arriving. They can all look forward to a huge range of new culinary pleasures and entertainment such as the Street Food strip for delicious treats, the first floating TV studio, or the Time Machine Restaurant. The popular Theatrium, the Four Elements activity area with ropes course and water slides, and the relaxing Beach Club are of course also integral elements of AIDAnova. The ship further features a wellness area of around 3,500 square meters, an outdoor gym, a Penthouse Suite which extends over two decks, single staterooms, 17 restaurants and 23 bars.

AIDAnova is the world’s first cruise ship that can be powered by low-emission liquefied natural gas (LNG) both at sea and in port. Two further AIDA ships of this new generation will be built by 2023 - also at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg. More information and videos about LNG operation and AIDA Cruises’ commitment to the environment are contained in the current AIDA Sustainability Report at www.aida.de/en/aidacares.

During her premiere season, from mid-December 2018 AIDAnova will be sailing the island world of the Canaries and Madeira on seven-day cruises.

Norwegian Sun completes first season of cruises to Cuba from Port Canaveral

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 August 2018 30 August 2018

Norwegian Sun will complete her first season of cruises to Cuba from Port Canaveral, Florida with her last sailing on September 3, 2018 before she moves to Miami, Florida for select sailings then repositioning to South America for her fall/winter season.

The first and only homeported ship to cruise to Cuba from Port Canaveral, Norwegian Sun, during her summer season, welcomed over 30,000 guests on 15 voyages on her four-day Cuba cruise itinerary with port of calls in Key West and an overnight in Havana. The final, and 16th sailing to Cuba from Port Canaveral, departs September 3rd for a 5-night voyage to Key West, an overnight in Havana and a visit to Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas.

Following this successful first season, Norwegian Sun will return to Port Canaveral in April 2019 with even more Cuba itineraries, offering travelers the chance to experience the warm culture and people of the Caribbean island through a variety of Office of Foreign Assets Control compliant excursions available through Norwegian Cruise Line.

“Since we first sailed to Cuba in 2017 from Miami, it has become one of our most popular destinations,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Norwegian Sun last homeported in Port Canaveral in the 2011/2012 fall/winter season and we were excited to return and showcase her latest enhancements and offer a new itinerary in the region.”

“We’re very proud of the success of the Norwegian Sun sailings from Port Canaveral and thrilled that Norwegian Cruise Line has chosen to continue its very popular Cuba itineraries from here,” said Captain John Murray, chief executive officer of Port Canaveral. “This important decision by Norwegian to bring Norwegian Sun ‘back home’ to our port validates our commitment to meeting the needs and expectations of our valued cruise partners.”

Port Canaveral was Norwegian Sun’s first homeport, following a three-week, bow-to-stern renovation in April in Victoria, BC as part of The Norwegian Edge®, the company’s program designed to elevate the standard of excellence across its fleet. Built in 2001, Norwegian now features refreshed staterooms and public spaces, and boasts three new venues including Los Lobos Cantina, a Mexican restaurant offering a modern take on traditional favorites; Bliss Ultra Lounge, a new bar and nightclub; and Spinnaker Lounge, featuring a larger than life dance floor.

All 968 staterooms were upgraded with smart televisions and USB ports as well as new carpet, artwork and select furniture. The newly revitalized accommodations pay tribute to the beauty of the surrounding ocean with a palette of cool blue hues and silver and turquoise accents. The abstract art within the staterooms and suites are the ideal complement to the new and modern feel.

The renovations also touched dining outlets and public spaces including Cagney’s, La Cucina, Le Bistro, Teppanyaki, the Mandara Spa, Stardust Lounge Theater, Splash Academy and more.

Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam completes sea trials

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 August 2018 29 August 2018

Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam, the second Pinnacle class ship in the fleet, returned to Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy Wednesday, Aug. 22, after successfully completing two sets of sea trials off the coast.

Nieuw Statendam left Marghera Aug. 10 and performed the first set of sea trials over two days before going into dry dock at Fincantieri’s Trieste shipyard, where the trial’s data was reviewed and standard hull maintenance was performed. The ship sailed its second sea trials Aug. 18, making its way back to Marghera Aug. 22 where the finishing touches will be completed.

“The sea trials are a highly anticipated milestone for any newbuild because it takes us one step closer to delivery, and we’re thrilled that Nieuw Statendam gave a strong performance out in open water,” said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president. “There’s a lot of buzz surrounding Nieuw Statendam and the innovations we’re introducing on board. The ship is going to have an exciting debut in early December.”

During the sea trials, Nieuw Statendam underwent a series of performance tests on the ship’s systems, machinery and engines. The shipyard’s team of nautical officers, naval architects, engineering officers and builders tested the ship’s maneuvering characteristics and safety systems.

American Song, first modern riverboat in U.S. history passes sea trials

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 August 2018 29 August 2018

American Cruise Lines announced that brand new ship American Song has successfully passed sea trials and is now on its way to the “Big Easy.” The first modern riverboat in U.S. history is expected to arrive in New Orleans the first week in September.

American Song passed sea trials with flying colors and is the second new vessel completed and delivered to American Cruise Lines by Chesapeake Shipbuilding this year. American Harmony, the second modern riverboat in the series, will be completed and delivered in the first quarter of 2019.

Now that American Song’s sea trials are completed, the Line is looking forward to the ship’s inaugural cruise from New Orleans to Memphis, October 6th. American Song will cruise a full schedule of 8-day Lower Mississippi River cruises throughout the remainder of 2018 and then will reposition to the West Coast in 2019, for American’s Columbia and Snake Rivers cruises beginning in March.

American Cruise Lines is proud of its commitment to building only new advanced ships. Every new ship in the Line’s expanding fleet is built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding and showcases the finest American design and craftsmanship. American maintains the largest U.S. flag fleet and continues to expand year after year – offering guests the widest range of gracefully appointed and technically superior ships in the industry.

MAN PrimeServ to retrofit two Baleària ferries to dual-fuel running

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 August 2018 29 August 2018

[MAN Energy Solutions exhibits at the SMM, Hall A3, Stand A3/200]

MAN PrimeServ, the after-sales division of MAN Energy Solutions, has won the contract to convert two RoPax ferries from Spanish operator, Baleària Eurolineas Maritimas, S.A., to dual-fuel operation.

Sister ships, the Nápoles and Sicilia, are currently each powered by 2 × MAN 9L48/60A main engines, which will all be converted to 9L51/60DF units that will enable running on LNG.

Dr Thomas Spindler, Head of Upgrades & Retrofits, PrimeServ Four-Stroke, MAN Energy Solutions, said: “We showed – with the conversion of Wessels Reederei’s Wes Amelie containership – that operational MAN engines can successfully be converted to LNG operation with a tremendous effect on exhaust emissions and the environment. We are very happy that Baleària has seen fit to bring these benefits to a new segment and application and look forward to the conversion procedure.”

Director General of Operations at Baleària, Ettore Morace, stated that the company’s commitment to the environment: “is a strategic line for the company based on the use of liquefied natural gas and other clean energies as well as fleet eco-efficiency”. He also specified that LNG helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) by 30% and nitrogen oxide (NOx) by 85% in addition to eliminating sulphur and particle emissions.

The conversion of the Nápoles is due to take place in Spain between November 2018 and January 2019, with the conversion of Sicilia to take place from October to December 2019. The Sicilia operates on the Barcelona – Ibiza route, while the Nápoles serves currently the Algeciras – Tanger Med route.

The Maritime Energy Transition

The conversion to LNG operation is part of MAN’s wide-ranging engagement for the establishment of LNG as a shipping fuel. Calling for a Maritime Energy Transition the company considers the use of natural gases as the fuels of choice in global shipping as the most promising way to supporting the goal of a climate- neutral shipping industry. Launched in 2016 after COP 21, MAN’s initiative has since found broad support within the shipping industry and politics.

The Wes Amelie conversion

This noteworthy project involved the retrofitting of the 1,036-teu feeder container ship’s MAN 8L48/60B main engine to a multi-fuel, four-stroke MAN 51/60DF unit that enables dual-fuel operation – the first such conversion of its type the world had ever seen.

Wessel’s Reederei’s Wes Amelie operates in the highly regulated Nordic and Baltic Seas. Since both bodies of water lie within Emission Control Areas, the vessel needed to meet the highest environmental standards and strictest limits for emissions.

The dual-fuel conversion has enabled the ‘Wes Amelie’ to significantly reduce its SOx emissions by >99%, NOx by approximately 90%, and CO2 by up to 20%. The vessel now meets both the Tier II and Tier III emission requirements set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).