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American Liberty passes sea trials and readies for August inaugural

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 July 2024 24 July 2024

American Cruise Lines has announced that American Liberty, the company’s third new Coastal Cat has passed sea trials with flying colors. American Cruise Lines accepted delivery of the 100-passenger small ship from Chesapeake Shipbuilding early. American Liberty is the newest ship in American’s ongoing Project Blue series of 12 new small ships for river and coastal cruising in the U.S. Several more ships in the series are already under construction, including the fourth Coastal Cat, American Legend, which is set to begin cruising in November 2024, plus four more Patriot Class ships.

“American Liberty is the newest ship in our fleet, reflecting our ongoing commitment to building small innovative ships for America’s rivers and coasts,” said Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines.

American Liberty will sail its inaugural cruise next month, departing August 15th and sailing roundtrip from Providence, Rhode Island, along the company’s popular New England Islands itinerary. The cruise also visits: New Bedford, Nantucket, & Martha’s Vineyard, MA; and Block Island, Newport, & Bristol, RI. In addition to this summer New England itinerary, American Liberty will sail a slate of American’s exclusive U.S. itineraries along the East Coast throughout 2024 – cruises that blend the luxury of river cruising with the access and adventure of expedition cruising, while conveniently visiting only U.S. ports of call.

American Liberty follows closely behind the launches of sister ships, American Eagle and American Glory in 2023. It is now the newest boat in the country and a testament to the Line’s ongoing market strength, fleet expansion, and unique ability to sail a vast array of U.S. itineraries along both rivers and coasts. American’s small ship fleet has continued to grow year-after-year featuring ground-breaking designs that offer unprecedented accommodations for small ships. The company operates the only 100% U.S. flagged fleet of riverboats and small cruise ships in the world.

Accommodating just 100 guests, American Liberty has four decks and showcases the same catamaran bow as previous sister ships. It features elegant interior design and private balcony accommodations, including spacious single and double-occupancy staterooms as well as suites. American Liberty also offers a beautiful top deck for amazing views, comfortable lounges both inside and out, a main restaurant, casual café, and fitness center – unusual amenities on ships of this size.

Madeira to host Cruise Atlantic Islands Conference 2024

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 July 2024 22 July 2024

Madeira, 22 July 2024. PR - Some of the most important voices in the cruise industry will gather on September 27th in Madeira for an international conference: the CAI Conference 2024.

The event, promoted by the Administration of the Ports of Madeira (APRAM, SA), has as its starting point the 30th anniversary of the first meeting of Cruise Atlantic Islands (CAI), at the same time as it aims to focus on the future of this region of Atlântico, in the increasingly competitive global cruise market.

“This conference constitutes an opportunity to reflect on the cruise tourism industry in this Atlantic region and the world, looking for the best answers to the increasingly competitive challenges that CAI faces”, highlighted the president of the Ports of Madeira board of directors, Paula Cabaço, pointing out the focus on sustainability, the decarbonization of ports, the energy transition, the circular economy and technological innovation, as “unavoidable” topics to be addressed. “Always, in a joint strategy.”

CAI began by bringing together the ports of Madeira and the Canary Islands, including Cape Verde from 2006 and, since last year, the Azores. Currently, it represents a market of 3.3 million cruise tourists, representing itself in the global and increasingly competitive cruise industry as a differentiated itinerary product, based on the unique and complementary identities of the Atlantic islands of Macaronesia. As a brand, CAI has participated in the main industry events – Seatrade, MedCruise, International Cuise Summit and Cruise Week Europe.

“We want to celebrate this partnership, which was born from a meeting held on September 19, 1994 in Funchal between the port authorities of Madeira and the Canary Islands, and shipping agents from the two archipelagos”, says Paula Cabaço, considering that this conference is the right moment to talk about the future.

The CAI Conference 2024 will bring together members of CAI Madeira, Canary Islands, Cape Verde and Azores, guests, operators, companies, sector agents, government officials, tourist entertainment companies, national and international journalists. CLIA Europe Vice President Nikos Mertzanidis will co-host the conference.

“It will also be an opportunity to showcase the best of Madeira, and the work that has been developed in the Port of Funchal, which has deserved international recognition, like the two nominations for the World Cruise Awards: Best Cruise Terminal in World in terms of Sustainability; and Best Cruise Destination in Europe.”

It is worth remembering that Madeira won the award for Best Cruise Destination in Europe at the World Cruise Awards in 2022 and 2023.

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Rauma shipyard launches the second passenger-car ferry ordered for Tasmania

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 July 2024 20 July 2024

Yesterday, Rauma shipyard celebrated the launch of the Spirit of Tasmania V with traditional ceremonies. The vessel’s godmother is Her Excellency the Horourable Barbara Baker, the 29th Governor of Tasmania. The vessel is the second of two car and passenger ferries ordered from the shipyard for Tasmania. The launch and christening ceremony of the first vessel, Spirit of Tasmania IV, was held last October. The vessels are being built for the Tasmanian TT-Line Company.

The car and passenger ferries built by RMC will operate between Geelong and Devonport on Australia’s Bass Strait, a route known for its challenging sea conditions. The vessels will replace their sister ships built in Finland in the 1990s. The passenger, vehicle, and cargo capacity of the new ships is significantly greater than that of their predecessors.

“The Spirit of Tasmania vessels are specifically designed for this route and its demanding sea conditions. Our shipyard is known for our ability and expertise to customize ships to meet the high standards and quality requirements of our clients. I am extremely proud of the progress in the construction of these vessels. The project we are delivering for TT-Line Company is also nationally significant, as it is one of the largest individual export deals between Australia and Finland,” says Mika Nieminen, CEO and President of RMC.

The first of TT-Line Company’s new vessels, Spirit of Tasmania IV, will be delivered to the client this August. The Spirit of Tasmania V, launched today, will be completed next spring.

The shipyard’s order book is worth over one billion euros

There are currently three vessels being built simultaneously at the Rauma shipyard. Alongside the TT-Line vessels, construction on the first multi-role corvette for the Finnish Navy began last autumn in its dedicated multi-role hall. The combined employment impact of these projects is over 7,000 person-years.

Rauma shipyard is investing and renewing itself. RMC is building a new industrial way of operating, which will strengthen the company’s competitiveness and profitability. In addition to expertise, RMC, together with the strong support of the local community has invested in independent steel production, a new multi-role hall, and a heavy transfer ramp among other improvements at the shipyard.

The total value of the vessels in RMC’s current order book is EUR 1.4 billion and extends all the way to the year to 2028.

This year marks the tenth anniversary since the founding of RMC. During this time, three of the car and passenger ferries delivered by the fully Finnish-owned shipyard have been awarded internationally: Hammershus (Molslinjen) in 2018, Aurora Botnia (Wasaline) in 2021, and MyStar (Tallink) in 2022.

Princess Cruises statement on Sun Princess Park19

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 July 2024 19 July 2024

Princess Cruises has announced the following statement:

"We regret to announce that Princess is unable to accept delivery of the RollGlider, Coastal Climb, and Ropes Course features within Park19 aboard Sun Princess and those experiences will not be opening. We are actively evaluating these areas for future recreational opportunities to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all our guests.

Park19 continues to offer a variety of fun and safe recreational options for guests' enjoyment, including:

• Infinite Horizon: Leaning tilt walls that cantilever over the side of the ship, allowing guests to peer out from deck 19 and look down to deck nine and beyond.
• Hammock Area: Relaxing hammocks that offer a great way to hang out with family and friends.
• Splash Zone: A whimsical splash area with pop jets and a beautiful water sculpture offering a refreshing and relaxing area to chill.
• Recreational Court: This multifunctional sports court offers a number of options, including cornhole, ping pong, shuffleboard, and more.
• Jogging Track: A refreshing open-air track where guests can walk, jog, or run at their own leisure and pace."

Photo: Sun Princess Park19. Credit: Teijo Niemela

Damen cuts first steel on four full electric ferries for BC Ferries

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 July 2024 18 July 2024

Damen Shipyards Group has celebrated a milestone moment for maritime sustainability at its Romanian yard, Damen Shipyards Galati. On 16th of July, the yard cut first steel on the first two of four, fully electric Island Class Ferries that it is building for Canada-based BC Ferries. The ferries will be the first fully electric vessels to operate in the company’s fleet.

Operating with battery packs with the capacity to supply the power train with 2,000 kilowatt-hour of electricity, the vessels will carry up to 47 vehicles and 390 passengers.

Complete maritime solution

As a complete maritime solutions provider, Damen will also supply BC Ferries with the required charging towers. The ferries will recharge efficiently during (dis)embarkation of passengers, using renewable electricity.

The vessels are based on Damen’s double-ended RoRo 8113 E3 model. The design features Damen’s in-house quality label E3, standing for Environmentally Friendly, Efficient in Operation and Economically Viable.

Growing Damen ferry fleet

The commonality of the design offers BC Ferries a number of advantages. Amongst these is the increasing standardisation and interoperability of the fleet, which makes deployment and training of crew more efficient. The ferries will take the number of Damen vessels in the BC Ferries fleet to ten.

Representing BC Ferries at the steel cutting ceremony were Project Program Manager David Tolman and Executive Director Shipbuilding Ed Hooper, who said, “These vessels represent a significant advancement in our fleet renewal efforts, aligning with our strategic vision for operational excellence and sustainability. The start of construction brings us one step closer to realising the benefits these vessels will bring to our customers and the communities that rely on us to get them where they need to go.”

Mark Vermeulen, Damen’s Managing Director Offshore & Specialised Vessels, said, “We are thankful for the trust that BC ferries has shown to Damen with this new contract for another four vessels. Damen has already built six vessels with hybrid propulsion for BC ferries. This project with full electric vessels is a step towards zero emissions ferries for the future – an achievement aligned with the sustainability goals of both BC Ferries and Damen.”

Superior travel experience

BC Ferries is committed to delivering a superior travel experience while upholding its responsibility to the environment. The organisation is supporting British Columbia’s CleanBC goals and aims to reduce emissions by 10,000 tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030. Damen has set itself the goal to become the most sustainable maritime solutions provider.

The ferries will operate services connecting Nanaimo with Gabriola Island, and Campbell River with Quadra Island. They are scheduled to commence operations by 2027.