News

NYK Cruises orders newbuilding from Meyer Werft

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 31 March 2021 31 March 2021

The Japanese cruise shipping company NYK Cruises and Meyer Werft have signed a contract for the construction of a new cruise ship. Noteworthy Meyer Werft is the first shipyard in the world to have succeeded in doing so, as no shipping company has placed a newbuilding order for a cruise ship since the beginning of the pandemic. The NYK Group is now placing its first order in Papenburg.

This is an important signal for Meyer Werft's Papenburg site with the world's largest covered building dock, even if the newbuilding is relatively small at 229 metres in length (51,950 GT).

"It is another very important step towards securing the Papenburg site. New orders are absolutely necessary for our current programme for the future with enormously important savings and very many different measures," says Jan Meyer, Managing Director of Meyer Werft. "We have been able to win our new customer from Japan as a new customer in this extremely difficult global market situation and worldwide competition with the best ship concept, innovations, quality and a very challenging price for us. My thanks go to the entire staff and especially to the Sales & Design department, which has done a great job in this tense phase. This is the first order in the shipyard's 226-year history where all contract documents and plans were prepared and negotiated via video conferencing. The effort has paid off."

Imke Knoop, Head of Sales & Design: "The pandemic allows shipping companies all over the world to freely choose shipyard locations.. The challenge is to survive with our combination of design, quality, innovation and, of course, under ever-increasing price pressure in the face of worldwide, sometimes heavily subsidised, competition. The order has come just in time; so far only one new building has been in our halls for 2025."

"Of course we are delighted about the newbuilding order, but at the same time we have to push ahead with our future programme, continue to convert and optimise the shipyard so that we can also deliver the ship with economic success," explains Thomas Weigend, Managing Director of Meyer Werft. Thanks to this order, we now also have a second ship in the works in 2025, namely a small and a large ship. But it remains the case that we still have a lot of work missing for the year 2025. Our production in Papenburg is designed for an annual construction volume of 420,000 GT, but the two ships in 2025 have a total volume of only 182,000 GT."

"The current newbuilding order is not a turnaround from our difficult situation. In Papenburg we are designed for the series production of very large cruise ships," adds Jan Meyer. "Now we are building the prototype of a small ship without the option of sister ships. Therefore, it is to be classified as another step among many necessary measures. At the same time, it is also a positive signal: it is a completely new customer for Meyer Werft, we have asserted ourselves on a global market against global competition."

Technical data New building for NYK Group
Length: 228.86 metres
Width: 29.80 metres
Tonnage: 51,950 GT
Passenger cabins: 385 cabins
Capacity: 744 passengers
Crew: 470 Crew
Fuel: LNG propulsion

Costa Cruises makes changes in its top management

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 26 March 2021 26 March 2021

Costa Cruises announced on March 24 important changes in its organization, in order to prepare for the resumption of its cruises and its long-term growth.

Mario Zanetti (photo below) has been promoted to President of Costa Cruises, taking a role that had been temporarily filled by Michael Thamm, Group CEO, Costa Group & Carnival Asia. In his new position, Mario Zanetti will oversee Costa as a unique brand across the world, including Asia, with the aim of guiding Costa to strengthen its leadership in Europe, South America and Asia, and ensure profitable and sustainable growth in the long term.

At the same time, Roberto Alberti has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer of Costa Cruises, a position previously held by Mario Zanetti. Roberto Alberti will hold the responsibility of the overall commercial operations, including Sales, Revenue Management and Marketing worldwide, reporting to Mario Zanetti.

Both Mario Zanetti and Roberto Alberti will be based in Costa Cruises headquarters in Genoa.

“The pause in our ship operations has been an opportunity to work on enhancing the Costa organization to make our company stronger, ready for the restart with renewed energy, a clear commercial strategy and a greater customer-centric approach," said Michael Thamm, Group CEO, Costa Group and Carnival Asia. “We look to the future with optimism. With this new organization we have the right people and skills to succeed in developing innovative strategies to attract and retain our customers through every channel and every source market”.

Mario Zanetti has a long-standing experience in Costa, starting in 1999 in the Revenue Management unit, which he brought to excellence over the years. In 2017 he was named President of Costa Asia, where he demonstrated great leadership capabilities, turning Costa business around. Since July 2020 he has been back in Genoa, as Chief Commercial Officer of Costa Cruises Europe, showing sharp decision-making skills and vision, during these challenging months.

With a career in Costa Cruises spanning over 15 years, Roberto Alberti worked his way up through various positions of increasing responsibility in Italy and abroad. In 2016 he joined the CEO Office reporting to Michael Thamm, Group CEO Costa Group & Carnival Asia. After the position of VP Strategic Development, in 2019 he was appointed SVP & Chief Strategy Officer of the Costa Group contributing to the definition of a sustainable development plan, the global source market strategy and brand positioning.

American Countess receives Bourbon blessing

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 22 March 2021 22 March 2021

American Queen Steamboat Company, a Hornblower Family company, christened the American Countess in New Orleans on March 21, 2021. American Queen Steamboat Company followed strict SafeCruise health and safety protocols, welcoming guests to experience the new riverboat as it officially joined the paddlewheel fleet. The christening follows the American Duchess’ recent return to service with reduced guest capacity on March 15 on the Mississippi River. The American Empress and flagship American Queen will sail later this year.

American Queen Steamboat Company resumed its operations with newly enacted health and safety protocols which include, but are not limited to, mask mandates in all public areas where social distancing is not possible, 100% testing of all guests and crew and mandatory Covid-19 vaccination for all guests and crew that will go into effect for all sailings beginning July 1, 2021.

“As we celebrate the grand debut of the American Countess, I could not be more appreciative of the incredible team that made it possible,” shares John Waggoner, founder and CEO of American Queen Steamboat Company. “We listened to our returning guests’ feedback on what they would like to see in a new riverboat and created a contemporary American masterpiece that guests are eager to experience.”

In her debut following the christening, American Queen Steamboat Company is hosting an abbreviated VIP cruise aboard the American Countess on March 21 - 28, 2021 from New Orleans sailing northward along the Mississippi River, stopping in Nottoway and Natchez. The christening event on March 21 took place at the Mansion House at Mardi Gras World and dockside.

Angie Hack, daughter of American Queen Steamboat Company CEO and founder John Waggoner, was named the American Countess’ godmother and christened her with a bottle of Maker’s Mark Bourbon, a signature American Queen Steamboat Company tradition, that was presented by award-winning restaurateur and New Orleans native, Dickie Brennan. Additional christening event highlights included special guest Billy Nungesser, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana and Brandy Christian, President and CEO of Port of New Orleans and Hornblower Group CEO Kevin Rabbitt.

“Year after year, American Queen Steamboat Company has played an essential role in the U.S. river cruising renaissance benefitting the state of Louisiana from building boats in our shipyards, showcasing our iconic river cities and quaint towns to putting a spotlight on our state through its marketing efforts,” said Billy Nungesser, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana. “It was an honor to see this Louisiana-built gem today, and I look forward to her bringing thousands of travelers through ‘The Pelican State.’”

Following the christening and preview cruise, the American Countess will begin her maiden voyage revenue cruise on March 28, 2021, sailing from Memphis to New Orleans. This journey showcases the diversity of the Lower Mississippi River on an eight-day sailing beginning with a stop at the Port of the Mississippi Delta and continuing down the river to Vicksburg, Natchez, St. Francisville, Baton Rouge and the American Queen Steamboat Company exclusive port stop at Nottoway Plantation before arriving in New Orleans. Guests will enjoy the same signature distinctions that make American Queen Steamboat Company the most celebrated river cruise line in America, from fine dining and world-class entertainment to thoughtfully planned shore excursions.

Built using the existing hull of former gaming vessel the Kanesville Queen, the American Countess was lengthened by 60-feet and underwent a total renovation in the Gulf Island Shipyard in Houma, L.A. Her sleek, contemporary design offers plenty of open space for guest gatherings, especially the portside bar, which will delight guests with an 80-foot panoramic view. With four decks, including a Sun Deck, and 123 inviting staterooms in four categories, this paddlewheeler is a home away from home on six- to 15-day itineraries.

Photo: Bobby Duncan, Angie Hack, Jerry Hack, Claudette Waggoner, John Waggoner, Kristin Fary and Dickie Brennan at the American Countesschristening ceremony at Mardi Gras Worldon Sunday, March 21, 2021