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Ponant and ITF sign collective agreement for non-EU seafarers

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 September 2022 13 September 2022

The French expedition cruise operator Ponant and the International Transport Federation (ITF) have signed a collective agreement concerning non-EU seafarers in which standard minimum salaries are raised, breakdown of overtime hours reviewed, and social security cover is revised, the company said in a statement.

Ponant’s non-EU seafarers work under the ITF’s Maritime Labour Convention, as EU seafarers already benefit from their own national schemes. From recruitment conditions to wages, including social security cover, working hours and contract terminations conditions, all the topics have been approached.

Benefits that will apply from 1 January 2023 aboard Ponant’s ships include overtime being counted from 44 hours instead of the current 48, standard minimum salaries raised for operational staff, an extension to the sick leave period and a raise in death and disability compensations

This agreement is in line with the “Explore to inspire” roadmap led by Hervé Gastinel, CEO of Ponant, who places the human and social dimension at the heart of the company’s strategy to move upmarket, become more international, and socially responsible.

Recognised as the largest global organisation in the transport sector, ITF connects 700 trade unions from 150 countries, providing a voice for 20 million employees working in transport worldwide.

The agreement, negotiated by both François Vielfaure, Special Advisor for Marine Operations, and Thomas Verdier-Fuentes, Fleet Crewing Director, is a milestone on this maritime company’s CSR road map, the central pillar of which is focused on employees, Ponant said in a statement.

Disney to sail first time in Down Under

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 September 2022 12 September 2022

For the first time, Disney Cruise Line is bringing the magic of a Disney vacation to families and fans in Australia and New Zealand during brand-new “Disney Magic at Sea” cruises beginning late October 2023. The ship is the destination on these limited-time voyages, which have been specially created to immerse local guests in their favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars stories through enchanting entertainment and enhanced experiences throughout each cruise.

The Disney Wonder will embark on these “Disney Magic at Sea” cruises through February 2024, ranging from 2 to 6 nights and departing from four home ports: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia; and Auckland, New Zealand.

“We are so glad to bring something new to those who may have never experienced this type of Disney magic before,” Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro said.

During the repositioning voyages between Honolulu and Sydney in October 2023 and February 2024, the Disney Wonder will offer the fleet’s first-ever South Pacific itineraries. These brand-new cruises will give guests from around the world the chance to experience exotic destinations like Fiji and Samoa. Bookings open to the public on Oct. 6, 2022.

Fincantieri to build four further cruise ships for Viking

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 September 2022 09 September 2022

In the context of the announcement for six options dated March 2018, Fincantieri and Viking have put into effect the contracts for the third and fourth ships. The companies also have signed the contract for the fifth and sixth units, subject to access to financing as per industry practice. The total value of the agreements is about euro 1.7 billion.

Deliveries are scheduled respectively in 2026, 2027 and two in 2028.

For this batch of six vessels, which follows the 10 units ordered from 2012, Fincantieri has developed in partnership with the shipowner a project based on the successful features of the previous ships, upgraded and revisited with the latest technologies. The Viking units will be built according to the latest navigation regulations and equipped with the most modern safety systems. This new generation of ships is also designed for hydrogen fuel cells and will set a new standard for the industry.

As of today, the collaboration between Fincantieri and Viking reaches a total of 18 vessels, including two purpose-built expedition vessels of the subsidiary Vard, confirming the recovery of the cruise sector, which is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2023.

Photo: Viking Sky is the third in a series, delivered in 2017. Credit: Teijo Niemela

HM Queen Elizabeth II has died

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 September 2022 09 September 2022

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch of Britain and the godmother of many vessels, passed away on Wednesday at Balmoral in Scotland. She was 96 years of age and had been on the throne for 70 years.

She was present with her younger sister, Princess Margaret, in September 1938 when her mother named RMS Queen Elizabeth of what was then Cunard White Star Line, on the Clyde in Scotland.

Eight years later, all three participated trials of the ship on the Clyde as it prepared to commence civilian service after six years of naval duty during and after World War 2.

In 1947, she named Caronia of Cunard White Star Line at the same John Brown shipyard on the Clyde that had built Queen Elizabeth. That same year she married Philip Mountbatten, later titled His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

The next ocean liner that she would name was the Southern Cross of Shaw, Savill & Albion that was built at Harland & Wolff in Belfast and launched in 1954, two years after her accession to the throne.

A year later she named Empress of Britain of Canadian Pacific Steamships that was built by Fairfield on the Clyde. The ship became Greek Line’s Queen Anna Maria in 1964, but it is probably best remembered as Carnivale of Carnival Cruise Lines that acquired it in 1976.

Twelve years would pass before she would name the next large passenger ship – Queen Elizabeth 2 that was constructed at John Brown on the Clyde and launched in 1967.

The Queen was also godmother of Oriana of P&O Cruises, the first modern cruise liner intended for the British market, which was built in Germany and named at Southampton in 1995.

Two Cunard ships followed – Queen Mary 2 in 2003 and Queen Elizabeth in 2010 –before the naming of P&O Cruises’ Britannia in 2015. This was to become the final ship that she would name.

However, she performed the duty of godmother to several naval vessels as well, including the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2014.

Camilla, wife of the present king that was known as Duchess of Cornwall and who is now titled Queen Consort, named Cunard’s Queen Victoria in 2007 and the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales 10 years later.

King Charles III, who has succeeded Queen Elizabeth II on the throne, served in the Royal Navy in the 1970s and commanded the minesweeper HMS Bronington in 1976.

Photo: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the naming ceremony of P&O Cruises' Britannia in Southampton in March 2015.

Helsinki Shipyard statement regarding news on September 6

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 September 2022 07 September 2022

Helsinki Shipyard has made a following statement today, September 7:

"According to media coverage, Merima Oy has filed a bankruptcy application concerning Helsinki Shipyard Oy with the Helsinki District Court on Tuesday, September 6.

Helsinki Shipyard Oy has not yet received information from the district court about the bankruptcy application, but confirms that Merima Oy has a small disputed claim from Helsinki Shipyard Oy, the amount of which is well under 1% of the contract price, in other words, it is not a significant amount and we believe that it is negotiable.

The disputed claim relates to Merima’s defective delivery, of which Helsinki Shipyard Oy has complained to Merima Oy. The disputes have concerned, among other things, whether the subcontract for shipbuilding has been fulfilled.

The matter was last negotiated with Merima Oy on 5.9.2022.

In Helsinki Shipyard Oy’s view, Merima’s application is unfounded, but will naturally be investigated.

Merima has already been paid on September 7th the disputed claim in order to minimise the unreasonable reputational damage and damage it causes. Helsinki Shipyard will continue to collect its own receivables from Merima. Merima’s delivery is still incomplete."

Helsinki Shipyard is currently building SH Diana for Swan Hellenic.