Disney Cruise line to homeport ship acquired from Genting Hong Kong creditors to Singapore
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- Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 30 March 2023 30 March 2023
Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board agreed to collaborate to homeport the newbuilding Disney Cruise Line bought from the creditors of the failed Genting Hong Kong group in Singapore for at least five years beginning in 2025.
More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date, the company said in a statement.
Disney Cruise Line estimates the passenger capacity of the 208,000-gross-ton ship to be approximately 6,000 with around 2,300 crew members. It is expected to be among the first in the cruise industry to be fueled by green methanol, one of the lowest emission fuels available The passenger capacity envisaged by Disney Cruise Line is much lower than the original figure of 9,500 cited by Genting Hong Kong.
Construction is projected to be completed in Germany, under the management of Meyer Werft, the Papenburg-based company that built the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish and is constructing two additional Wish-class ships.
Cruising in Singapore and Southeast Asia
Singapore’s strategic location, world-class air connectivity and port infrastructure make it a thriving cruise hub in Southeast Asia, a diverse region that is home to over 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The addition of a Disney Cruise Line ship in Singapore has the potential to add millions of local and foreign cruise passengers across the five-year period, including fly-cruise passengers who arrive in Singapore by air.
It is also expected to bring about significant spillover benefits for the wider economy. These include greater demand for port and ship-related services, as well as on-ground spending in Singapore for the lifestyle and hospitality sectors.
New Disney Cruise Ship for Families in Southeast Asia
The new ship will feature innovative Disney experiences along with the dazzling entertainment, world-class dining and legendary guest service that set Disney Cruise Line apart. Guests of all ages will find dedicated spaces and activities designed just for them, and families will create unforgettable memories with beloved characters such as Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse, Disney Princesses, Marvel Super Heroes and more.
Silversea and Meyer Werft celebrate keel laying of Silver Ray
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 24 March 2023 24 March 2023
Silversea Cruises and MEYER WERFT celebrated the keel laying of Silver Ray on March 23, hosting select Travel Advisors for a symbolic ceremony at the shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. An age-old shipbuilding tradition, the keel laying marks the start of a ship’s assembly. The second ship in Silversea’s pioneering Nova class, the 728-guest Silver Ray is expected to enter service in summer 2024, joining her sister ship, Silver Nova, as one of the most sustainable ships in her class.
Barbara Muckermann, Silversea’s President and CEO, and Jan Meyer, Managing Director of MEYER WERFT, were among the attendees as a commemorative coin, bearing Silver Ray’s silhouette, was placed under a pre-assembled module – weighing 230 tonnes, and measuring approximately 47m by 8m (155ft by 27ft) – as a symbol of good luck. Attendees subsequently raised a glass to celebrate the important milestone.
“We were delighted to welcome select members of our valued trade community to the MEYER WERFT shipyard in Papenburg to witness this milestone in the build of Silver Ray – one of the first times that Travel Advisors have attended the keel laying of an ultra-luxury ship,” said Barbara Muckermann, President and CEO, Silversea Cruises. “Anticipation is building for the introduction of our pioneering Nova class ships, with Silver Nova set to join the fleet this summer. In addition to being two of the most sustainable ultra-luxury cruise ships ever launched, the Nova class ships will introduce an asymmetrical design and a horizontal layout for the first time in our cruise line’s history, as well as all-new public venues that are among the most spacious at sea. Silver Nova and Silver Ray represent important milestones on Royal Caribbean Group’s journey to achieving a net zero newbuild, and I thank the entire team at MEYER WERFT, as well as those involved at Royal Caribbean Group and Silversea, for their invaluable collaboration.”
"The Nova class will set new standards on the way to net zero emissions cruising. We are therefore delighted to take another symbolic step in the construction of Silver Ray today with the keel laying. I am sure that the ultra-luxury ship will be able to meet the high demands of her guests and will inspire them with her innovative design," said Jan Meyer, Managing Director of MEYER WERFT.
Before Silver Ray’s official keel laying ceremony, attending guests were given a tour of Silver Nova, which nears completion at the MEYER WERFT shipyard and is set to join Silversea’s fleet this summer. A first for Silversea, both Nova class ships will incorporate an innovative asymmetrical design and a horizontal layout, with public spaces and suites spanning the entire length of each ship. Silver Nova and Silver Ray will enrich guests’ travels with an unprecedented openness to the destination.
Multi-sector collaboration to advance maritime energy technology
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 18 March 2023 18 March 2023
A ground-breaking research project involving Freudenberg e-Power Systems, the MEYER WERFT shipyard and Royal Caribbean Group is underway to develop a completely new fuel cell system tailored to the maritime sector. This has been a multi-year project aiming to create a maritime fuel cell system of an unprecedented scale, which will power Royal Caribbean Group's Nova class ships and represent a significant step toward achieving a net zero newbuild. At completion of the project, the fuel cell installation is intended to cover the full hotel load of a ship and allow for zero local emissions in port.
What has posed a considerable challenge, however, is the process to reform liquefied natural gas (LNG) to usable hydrogen at scale for a shipboard environment, which has delayed the onboard implementation of the project. The partners expect the first maritime demonstrator system will be completed later this year as work continues toward the full-scale application.
The undertaking of this complex project represents an evolution of how energy is generated and distributed on board, paving the way for a more innovative and sustainable future. The project has achieved important successes to evolve the use of fuel cells, including the approval of the maritime safety concept.
"We are bringing the best minds together to develop fuel cells at scale for the cruise industry by piloting the application on a Nova class ship and expect to complete the necessary approvals in line with IMO regulations later this year," said Thomas Weigend, Managing Director of MEYER WERFT.
“The strategic cooperation between Royal Caribbean, MEYER WERFT and Freudenberg e-Power Systems is groundbreaking for emissions reduction in the cruise industry. The combination of fuel cells providing high efficiency and a long lifetime with Freudenberg’s very powerful battery systems is tailored to the high demands of the maritime sector,” said Dr. Max Kley, CEO of Freudenberg e-Power Systems.
“Innovation is in our DNA and as pioneers in this industry, we comprehend the challenges that come with future proofing any new technology. To ensure seamless functionality and operability, the integration of this complex system in our ships is critical. Collaborations such as advance our sustainability journey and, together with MEYER WERFT and Freudenberg, we remain committed to supporting the continued research and development of this cutting-edge technology,” said Harri Kulovaara, Executive Vice President, Maritime for Royal Caribbean Group.
Currently under construction in Papenburg, Germany, Silver Nova is set to become one of the most sustainable cruise ships when she enters service in summer 2023.
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