Key cruise line executives and industry stakeholders gather to improve business at FCCA PAMAC Conference

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 23 June 2016 23 June 2016

Improving cruise tourism business is easier than ever in the Big Easy. More than 150 attendees, including FCCA Platinum Members-key cruise tourism stakeholders-and over 30 high-ranking executives from the FCCA's 19 Member Lines, have gathered in New Orleans for the FCCA Platinum Associate Membership Advisory Council (PAMAC) Conference.

Kicking off yesterday and continuing until tomorrow, the three-day event features a series of meetings, workshops and networking events to discuss industry trends and standards and develop relationships and mutual benefits for the cruise lines and members' companies and destinations.

"FCCA events like the PAMAC Conference are essential to both the members and cruise line representatives," said Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corporation & plc and the FCCA. "They gather some of the industry's most influential decision makers with significant stakeholders from the Caribbean and Latin America, which leads to positive developments for all parties."

"The FCCA PAMAC Conference is fostering more mutual growth for Platinum Members and Member Line executives," said Michele Paige, president, FCCA. "Bringing together these two parties lets them better understand each other, along with all current happenings and offerings, in order to synergistically grow and improve."

The PAMAC Conference has sparked this synergy through one-on-one meetings between Platinum Members and executives of their choice; presentations of Platinum Members' latest developments for the executives and other members to learn about and from; and networking functions between members and executives, including sit-down dinners cooking up business relationships.

Plus, executives gave some presentations of their own to promote mutual benefits with the Platinum Members. Andy Stuart, president and COO, Norwegian Cruise Line, discussed cruise line destination development; Christine Duffy, president, Carnival Cruise Line, presented 'Carnival and New Orleans: Beyond Business'; and Giora Israel, SVP, Global Port & Destination Development Group, Carnival Corp. & plc, spoke on the opportunities and challenges connected to Cuba's opening.

This event is one of many that the FCCA coordinates for its Platinum Members and Member Lines to stay at the forefront of information about both the industry and members' companies and destinations, while finding ways to maximize the benefits for all.

Caribbean and Latin American students' environmental awareness awarded by FCCA Foundation

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 22 June 2016 22 June 2016

The FCCA Foundation has again rewarded the efforts of students and schools throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, with nearly $25,000 awarded to children and schools from 12 destinationsparticipating in the annual FCCA Foundation's Environmental Poster Competition.

"I cannot be prouder to benefit the efforts of the talented and dedicated students who participated in this year's FCCA Foundation Environmental Poster Competition," said Michele Paige, president, FCCA. "Protecting the environment is a joint effort for us all, and this is an opportunity to spur future generations to focus on the world's and their futures, while also benefitting their futures through donations to them and their schools."

Each year, the competition prompts students to create a poster depicting ways to protect the environment and promote awareness in their country. This year's contest featured finalists from 12 Caribbean and Latin American destinations ranging from juniors (ages 12 and younger) to seniors (13-16).

Though all participating students learned a valuable lesson, the finalists and first- to third-place winners took home a prize to and for their country. First-place winners earned a $3,000 scholarship for themselves, along with an equal donation for their schools to purchase art supplies; second-place winners and schools received $1,500 each; third-place winners and schools were awarded $1,000 each; and all finalists and schools received $200 each.

Dantia Welcome of Corinaldi Avenue Primary School in Jamaica took the junior division gold for "Reduce, Recycle, Renew the Caribbean," which showcased how to make the Caribbean and world a better place by planting trees, practicing sustainable development, protecting the natural habitat and renewing energy.

Cherise Blanche of St. Andrew's Anglican Secondary in Grenada won the senior division for creatively showing ways to protect the environment by turning discarded items like tires and cardboard into planters and storage containers in "Eliminate the Trash, Embrace the Treasure."

Other winners included Tyra Abell from the Cayman Islands, taking second in the junior division; Otisha Nichols from St. Vincent, winning second in the senior division; Daniel Peraza from Belize, collecting third in the junior division; and Ping Ling Len from St. Maarten, placing third in the senior division.

Meyer Turku and NIT invests in sustainability project

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 21 June 2016 21 June 2016

Finland’s leading shipbuilding experts are launching an ambitious research project, the aim of which is to add value and substance to sustainable business. The project will be coordinated by the University of Turku’s Technology Research Center. Among the industry partners are Meyer Turku and NIT.

“We are looking for new insights into the life cycle costs of cruise ships,” says Project Manager Matti Koskela from NIT. “It’s increasingly important for cruise operators to understand all aspects of sustainability and get reliable data for their investment decisions. The life cycle of a modern cruise ship can be extended to 40 years or even more.”

The project is called Sustainability and Transparency in Shipbuilding Networks (SUSTIS). Matti Koskela says that NIT is participating in the project by focusing on its strongest business areas, such as ship interiors and piping.

“For example, we will be studying the life cycle costs of steel pipes and comparing the results to the sustainability performance of plastic solutions. By understanding more we can better serve the shipyard and the ship owner.”

NIT has been a turnkey supplier for Meyer Turku since 2000. The company has designed and installed interior and technical solutions in the world’s biggest cruise ships, and will be contributing strongly to the Mein Schiff series, supplying restaurants, bars, crew areas and stairs up to 2018.

“Sustainability has been part of the shipbuilding business for years, but we haven’t discovered all the connections and opportunities yet,” says Jaana Hänninen, Environmental Manager of Meyer Turku. “It is rapidly becoming a big everyday issue. We need accurate data and a transparent process, and we need to implement cradle-to-cradle thinking for this industry.”

Hänninen says that it would be wrong to look at sustainability exclusively from an environmental perspective:

“It’s all about business that is reasonable, efficient and that produces high quality. It’s not greenwashing – instead it’s a very solid business that offers good value to all stakeholders. We appreciate our suppliers who have the courage to collaborate in this kind of project, think outside the box and develop their businesses in the long term. We are happy looking into the future with NIT on this project.”

TUI Cruises takes delivery of Mein Schiff 5, 10 days early

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 20 June 2016 20 June 2016

Mein Schiff 5, the third newbuilding of TUI Cruises from the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, has been delivered to the Hamburg based company today, 10 days ahead of schedule, the shipbuilder said in a statement. The ship will enter service in mid-July