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Fincantieri lays the keel of Nieuw Statendam

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 March 2017 20 March 2017

The keel laying ceremony for Nieuw Statendam, the new cruise ship which Fincantieri is building for the shipowner Holland America Line, a brand under Carnival Corporation & plc, took place today at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera (Venice).

The first building block of the ship, 11.3 meters long, 34.8 wide and weighing about 260 tons, is part of the central section of Nieuw Statendam, due to delivery at the end of 2018.

The new unit, sister ship of Koningsdam, the new Pinnacle class ship delivered in March 2016 from the same shipyard, will be about 99,800 gross tons, almost 300 meters long, with accommodation for up to 2,650 passengers on board in more than 1,300 cabins. She will be characterized by a modern and contemporary style which blends perfectly with the traditional elegance, which distinguishes all the ships in the fleet. The design will be created, as for Koningsdam, by two of the world’s major and prestigious architecture studios, Tihany Design and Yran & Storbraaten, with “the architecture of music” being an inspirational element for the design of many public areas.

The ship’s technology is aimed at optimizing energy efficiency and minimizing environmental impact and it responds to the most demanding and current safety regulations.

Fincantieri has built 76 cruise ships since 1990 (of which 53 from 2002) and other 31 ships are currently being designed or built in the Group's yards.

Windstar Cruises to sail New England and Canada next year

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 March 2017 18 March 2017

Windstar Cruises will be sailing into (and out of) Manhattan on its first-ever itineraries in New England and Canada beginning summer/fall 2018. Windstar's 212-guest all-suite yacht Star Pride will embark on four new sailings (with five sail dates) that span nine to 16 days, offering leisurely opportunities to enjoy fall foliage and discover charming New England coastal towns, historic gems like Boston and Newport, and the seductively old world appeal of the Canadian Maritimes and Quebec. Star Pride will arrive in New York for the first time via Iceland, the cruise line said in a statement.

This announcement comes on the heels of news that the small ship cruise line, headquartered in Seattle, will be sailing to Alaska and along Canada's west coast aboard Star Legend, a sister ship to Star Pride, in spring/summer 2018. The company has not sailed in North America in recent years, so the addition of both regions is a major development for the company, which operates primarily in Europe, the Caribbean/Central America, and French Polynesia.

"New York is a city of legendary over-achievers, and we have every intention of over delivering on our brand's New England and Canada experiences, including our maiden call to Manhattan with Star Pride," said Windstar President John Delaney. "New York is one of our major markets, a key gateway, and one of the world's great destination cities in its own right. We are thrilled to make Windstar so easily accessible to such a large national and international audience by being in New York."

Peace Boat updates on Ecoship and future plans

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 March 2017 18 March 2017

Allan Jordan reporting from Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Fort Lauderdale

Peace Boat, an International NGO with headquarters in Tokyo, is making progress on the Ecoship, which it bills as the “flagship for sustainability in the cruise industry.” Speaking at the Seatrade Global Conference, Peace Boat provided an update on the Ecoship while also announcing plans for its 100th cruise and expansion into other Asian markets.

Peace Boat Founder and Director Yoshioka Tatsuya said that he continues to believe that the cruise industry has the power to change the world. Throughout its history, Peace Boat has supported several United Nations-led campaigns including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, whose logo is now displayed on the ship, as well initiatives for the protection of the oceans and global understanding.

Envisioned as a floating platform and exhibition ship for research and education to promote a sustainable society, the Ecoship was unveiled a year ago. Peace Boat is currently negotiating with European shipyards for the construction as well as completing financing and partnership agreements for its flagship project. Peace Boat and classification society DNV GL also signed a memorandum of understanding forming a partnership to work together on the design, construction and operation Ecoship. Peace Boat continues to target the spring of 2020, before the Summer Olympics’ opening in Tokyo on July 24, 2020, for the Ecoship’s maiden voyage.

Peace Boat has used this period to refine plans for the 60,000 gross ton, 224 m x 31 m ship. Ecoship’s core goal remains a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions by incorporating renewable energy features ranging from ten retractable solar-paneled sails, wind generators, closed water and waste systems, solar panels on the passenger balconies and even systems to harvest the passengers’ kinetic energy in the disco and from the jogging track. Plans have been refined for the wind generator, and, because the technology does not currently exist to store power for the long ocean crossings, a dual-power system using LNG, has been selected. The goal is to use the stored power not to produce any emissions in port and close to shore.

Peace Boat plans to deploy the Ecoship on the world voyages while also retaining its current vessel, the Ocean Dream (built in 1982 as Carnival Cruise Lines’ Tropicale). It is anticipated that the Ocean Dream would work as a floating university possibly doing regional voyages in Asia. Peace Boat currently operates three world cruises a year as well as shorter, regional voyages.
Since its inception in 1983, Peace Boat has sailed over 60 world cruises as well as 30 regional voyages. Preparing for continued growth and its continuing mission of fostering understanding and cooperation among the peoples of the world, Peace Boat is expanding its operation into other Asian markets including Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and China. To celebrate their 35th anniversary year in 2018, Peace Boat also announced plans for its 100th cruise, a 96-day world trip sailing on December 26, 2018, circling the Southern Hemisphere and calling at 18 ports including Ehoala, Madagascar; Walvis Bay, Namibia; and Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

Caribbean Princess to undergo multi-million dollar refit in the Bahamas

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 March 2017 18 March 2017

Caribbean Princess will undergo an extensive two-week drydock in Freeport, Bahamas, March 26-April 6. She will emerge from a multi-million-dollar renovation with new offerings appealing to families, including Camp Discovery Youth & Teen Center, upgraded Movies Under the Stars, Princess Luxury Bed and interconnecting staterooms, just in time for the upcoming Europe summer and fall Caribbean seasons. The cruise ship will also be wired for the Ocean Medallion launch that will be available for the 2018 summer Caribbean season.

“With new amenities catering to families, Caribbean Princess not only provides comfort and technology to stay connected but enriching experiences that can be shared together as a family or in our new Camp Discovery Youth & Teen Center – all renovated with the goal of helping our guests create lifelong memories,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises.

Queen Mary 2 to host UK maritime business drive in Shanghai

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 March 2017 17 March 2017

Maritime UK and the Department of International Trade (DIT) of the British government will lead a unique three-day trade mission to Shanghai at the end of March to promote the UK as The World’s Maritime Centre, providing a complete package for global maritime business, Maritime UK that promotes the country towards the global maritime industry said in a statement.

Attended by senior industry and government leaders from both countries, including Shipping and Ports Minister, John Hayes MP, and Trade Minister, Mark Garnier MP, the mission has been timed to coincide with the RMS Queen Mary 2’s visit to Shanghai during its East Asian tour.

The vessel will be used to promote UK excellence across shipping, ports, marine, and business services and will play host to pioneering companies from across the maritime sector, a number of which are visiting China for the first time.

“The UK and China are two of the world’s leading maritime powers, and this trade mission is designed to further strengthen relations between our two countries, delivering benefits for both markets,“ says David Dingle CBE, Chairman of Maritime UK.

“As the UK triggers Article 50 and looks to a future outside the European Union, the maritime sector has a unique and critical role in ensuring the country makes a success of Brexit. With a resolve to increase exports and sign ambitious trade deals with countries across the world the maritime industry has a unique opportunity to make ‘Global Britain’ a reality, and it is ready to do so.

“The trade and investment relationship between the UK and China has deepened over recent years, and during the visit Maritime UK and the DIT will be collaborating with the Pudong New Area to identify new maritime trade and investment opportunities for both the UK and China.”

David Dingle, who is also Chairman of Carnival UK adds: ”A significant number of British companies are already working with China and we are looking forward to opening new chapters in these relationships, and beginning others.”

Following the Shanghai visit, the Maritime UK Chairman and Shipping and Ports Minister will visit Hong Kong to meet with the Hong Kong Shipowners Association.

The valuable relationships that have been established during the mission will be further strengthened by plans to extend personal London International Shipping Week (LISW) invitations to Chinese industry leaders, and the creation of a ‘Business Lounge’ during LISW, to continue to develop relationships created on the mission and with other countries.