News

STX Europe warns Cruise & Ferry recovery may take longer than foreseen

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 14 May 2012 14 May 2012

Recovery of its Cruise & Ferry business area may take longer than foreseen, warns STX Europe, the Oslo based unit of the South Korean STX Business Group.

The company builds cruise liners and ferries at two yards in Finland, which it owns in full plus at one in France, in which it has a 66% stake. The Cruise & Ferries business area of the group generated an EBITDA of NOK5 million in the first quarter, an improvement from a figure negative by NOK20 million in the same period last year.

“STX Europe still believes that the industry fundamentals are moving in the right direction, but that the improvements are slower than expected. The market is challenging as the general economic climate continues to influence customers’ decisions especially in relation to new building projects despite an increased interest within the market,” the company said in a statement

The operations of the Cruise & Ferries business area are not satisfactory on an overall basis for the quarter, and there are still challenges for the year ahead due to low order intake.

Accordingly, both STX Finland and STX France are strongly focusing on securing new orders and continuing the improvement programmes initiated in 2010 to improve competitiveness. This includes increased efforts within the other market segments such as vessels for naval operations, offshore related constructions and renewable energy/wind constructions.

The shipbuilding industry and current market situation is quite challenging, especially within the cruise and ferries segment. There are several potential new building projects, but the order activity is constrained by the limitations of funding and the overcapacity within the market, the company said.

Costa Atlantica to join Costa Victoria in Asia 2013

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 14 May 2012 14 May 2012

Costa Crociere, the Italian unit in Carnival Corp & plc group, will double its capacity in Asia in 2013 by sending the 85,700 gross Costa Atlantica to operate cruises from Singapore, Shanghai, Tianjin and Hong Kong, the Italian news agency ANSA reports. Costa Atlantica will start cruising in the Asian region in May 2013, whereby Costa Crociere will offer 5,074 berths there on the two ships. The company has operated cruises in Asia since 2006 and it has carried about 350,000 passengers in the region, ANSA said.

Oceania Cruises christens Riviera in Barcelona

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 12 May 2012 12 May 2012

Oceania Cruises christened Riviera, the newest entry in the upper-premium cruise ship market, during an invitation-only, gala ceremony in Barcelona on Friday, May 11. The ship's godmother, Chef Cat Cora, the restaurateur, humanitarian, author, and co-host of Bravo's new "Around the World in 80 Plates," named the ship, joined by Deacon Ricardo Rodriguez-Martos of the Barcelona's Apostleship of the Sea, who bestowed the traditional blessings.

The national anthems of the U.S. and Spain, together with a Catalan flamenco performance and a duet of "Barcelona" performed by Soprano Alina Furman and Tenor Giorgio Olmo set a festive atmosphere for the ceremony.

Nearly 1,300 guests, including Xavier Trias, Mayor of Barcelona; Sixte Cambra, president of the Port of Barcelona and Jose Alberto Carbonell, director of the Port of Barcelona, were in attendance. Frank J. Del Rio, the line's founder and chairman, and Kunal S. Kamlani, the line's president, presided over festivities that concluded with a 15-liter Nebuchadnezzar of Champagne (weighing some 114 kilos), custom-made by Veuve Clicquot, commemoratively breaking against the ship's hull.

"Today, the baton as the world's premiere ship has passed to Riviera," said Del Rio. "When asked, I've repeatedly said that it was going to be hard to improve on Marina's perfection, but I didn't say it would be impossible. And we have done just that - improved on perfection."

In thanking the invited guests, local hosts and dignitaries in attendance, Kamlani noted that Barcelona, a city renowned for its charm, diversity of cultures, art and design, was the ideal setting for the christening as, "Riviera is a work of art herself, and designed to bring the beauty of the world to our guests." Barcelona also holds a special significance for Oceania Cruises as the line's first ship, Regatta, was named in Barcelona in 2003.

Like Marina, her sister ship, Riviera also features a Bon Appétit Culinary Center, a Canyon Ranch SpaClub®, luxurious suites by Dakota Jackson, Ralph Lauren Home-furnished Owner's Suites, and a grand Lalique staircase lit from above by a dazzling, custom-made chandelier. Her distinguishing features include a museum-worthy collection of fine art focusing on the works of some of Latin America's most accomplished and admired contemporary artists and an Artist Loft with hands-on instruction.

Following the christening cruise, Riviera begins a 10-day maiden voyage from Venice to Athens, departing on May 16, 2011. From May 16 through November 29, 2012, she will offer a total of 20 Mediterranean voyages, calling at ports in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Turkey as well as Israel, Croatia, Cyprus, Montenegro, Morocco and Monaco, with maiden calls in Cephalonia (Argostoli), Motril (Granada) and the Canary Islands.