Orient Express Silenseas – the world's largest luxury sailing ship to be powered by Ingeteam equipment

Ingeteam has received an order to equip what will be the world's largest luxury sailing ships. Specifically, the company will design and manufacture the converters and motors that will propel the two ships that will emulate the famous Orient Express train, enabling more ecological and sustainable navigation via the latest marine technology.

The ships belong to Accor Group under the Orient Express brand, and will be built at French shipyard Chantiers de l'Atlantique. Ingeteam will supply a total of 5 motors and 5 converters for their propulsion systems. Specifically, two motors to drive the main propulsion plus the three transverse thrusters, together with the frequency converters for all of them, which will provide optimum onboard comfort thanks to their low vibration and noise. It will also develop two propulsion remote controls, to enable maximum propulsion management and efficiency with SolidSail technology.

Notably, the converters will include a ground connection to the port so that the vessels can be connected to the shore power grid whilst moored and thereby avoid having to run auxiliary engines to power hotel services, thus helping to reduce nitrogen, sulphur and carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.

The equipment will be manufactured at the company's facilities in the Basque Country where it has several production centres that produce its most technological products for the naval sector, which have equipped over 900 vessels to date.

Details of Orient Express Silenseas

Orient Express Silenseas will be the world's largest sailing ship and the benchmark ocean liner from an environmental point of view on the ultra-luxury cruise market. Orient Express Silenseas will be delivered in 2026 and be fully or significantly powered by the winds depending on weather conditions with a revolutionary technological design developed by Chantiers de lÁtlantique known as SolidSail: three rigid sails with a surface area of 1,500 meters each will be hoisted on a balestron rig, with three tilting masts reaching more than 100 meters high, able to ensure up to 100% of the propulsion in suitable weather conditions. This hybrid propulsion formula will combine wind power with a state-of-the-art engine running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and plans to use green hydrogen once the technology is approved for ocean passenger ships, launching a new, more environmentally friendly vision of sea travel.

When the cruise ship cannot set its sails due to lack of wind, the electric propulsion supplied by Ingeteam will come into operation. Thus, the ship will be able to continue sailing without polluting and maintaining maximum comfort in terms of vibration and noise required by a vessel of such characteristics.

The ship will be 220 metres long with a tonnage of 2,5400 gross tons. It will feature 50 suites – including a monumental 900 square metre Presidential Suite - two swimming pools, two restaurants and a speakeasy bar.

Deep Lead and VRETA sign cooperation agreement

Deep Lead Inc. and VRETA Simulation Ab have made an agreement for VRETA to provide the Deep Lead Academy for the international maritime shipping sector worldwide.

"Deep Lead Academy will change the way leadership training for the shipping companies and the crew onboard is done today. More than ever, we need to focus on the leadership culture onboard, our interaction skills and how to develop them," says Micael Vuorio, Managing Director, VRETA Simulation Ab. "I’m confident that the cooperation between Deep Lead and VRETA will gain the international maritime shipping sector worldwide, because of the strong background from Deep Lead (25 years of scientific research and over 20 years of practical development work done including 36,000 Deep Leadership profiles and 430,000 Deep Leadership assessments) combined with over 20 years of deep knowledge from VRETA in the maritime education and training sector."

"We know today that the Deep Lead Academy is suitable for the shipping companies and the crew onboard," says Vesa Nissinen, President, Deep Lead Inc. "Today we have coached 110 seafarers in the LOBAS (Leadership onboard and shipping) project managed by The Finnish Seamen’s Mission, the Seafarers’ Pensions Fund, and the Finnish Shipowners’ Association. Our mission is to develop the leadership culture onboard the Finnish vessels. The feedback from the participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Cooperation between Deep Lead and VRETA will be the next step in this industry sector."

"Deep Lead coaching program is based on more than 25 years of scientific research and some 20 years of active, practical development work in cooperation with our customers. Our leadership training is based on the Deep Leadership method which has been developed in Finland. The model is based on scientific research. The primary goal of our Deep Leadership coaching is to help people develop their own interaction skills and learning abilities. We believe that individual learning is a prerequisite for the development of teams, groups, units, and the organization as a whole.

Deep Lead Academy is a digital coaching program focusing on developing everyday interaction skills. In Deep Lead Academy, you will be introduced to the Deep Leadership methodology and receive two 360° feedbacks to support your professional development. Deep Lead Academy is an excellent way for managers and HR to experience the applicability of the Deep Leadership method in their own organization. Deep Lead Academy is also particularly suitable for companies with a wide range of staff development needs and for individuals who want to develop their leadership skills."

Updated: Hurtigruten matches modern values with Norwegian heritage

Between 1968 and 1982, Hurtigruten’s ‘Svalbard Express’ provided a vital connection for people and post between mainland Norway and the Svalbard archipelago. This year, the shipowner has revived the iconic route, but this time with a focus on cruising between Bergen and Longyearbyen, and an itinerary matched by both modern comfort and authenticity aboard the newly refurbished ship Trollfjord.

In the intervening 40 years, passenger shipping has changed significantly: today, in addition to different expectations on comfort, cuisine and shipboard services, sustainability is a factor in every decision. For Hurtigruten, upholding responsibility to the planet and its inhabitants has long been a principle for vessel design, construction, design and operation.

For guests, ‘the environment’ is already front and centre along the Svalbard Express route, where the rugged landscapes and rich heritage of the Norwegian coastline are experienced from the comfort of Trollfjord.

The principles of conservation and sustainability have been central to the design of Hurtigruten’s interior spaces. The owner’s objective is for Trollfjord guests to experience Norway not only through breathtaking views and unique excursions but also through the expertly implemented design elements that bring the vessel’s identity to life.

Tasked with conceiving and developing multiple spaces on board Trollfjord – including the main restaurants, cabins, and suites – YSA Design incorporated hard-wearing, responsibly sourced materials from the surrounding environment. The use of organic local resources also helps to establish a meaningful connection between the ship and its setting.

A prominent feature of Trollfjord’s design direction are the patterns, textures and artistic flourishes inspired ny the indigenous Sámi people, whose communities inhabit several parts of Scandinavia including much of the region covered on the ship’s sailing route.

Traditionally, Sámi manufacture items for everyday use from raw materials available in their surroundings, and in designing Trollfjord’s casual dining venue, Brasserie Árran, YSA echoed this approach through the use of natural elements like wood, leather and reindeer hide. These are complemented by woven textiles and traditional crafts, which add further detail and cultural significance to the space by telling stories of the region’s rich history.

Even while artfully paying homage to Sámi and Norwegian heritage, Brasserie Árran embodies the elegance of contemporary Scandinavian design: the space is uncluttered and yet intricately adorned; sophisticated yet cosy and familiar. With gentle lighting, earthy tones and subtle scents helping to transmit a sense of warmth and hygge, the interior is sharply juxtaposed with the vessel’s dramatic backdrop and the cool, bright light of the midnight sun.

Providing a more exclusive and immersive dining experience, Trollfjord’s à-la-carte restaurant, Røst, at once celebrates Norway’s culinary excellence and mirrors its coastal setting. The venue’s carefully curated menu adds a contemporary twist to ingredients handpicked from the local environment, such as fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables. In a similar vein, YSA Design’s painstaking materials selection combines sophisticated modern touches with subdued natural tones reminiscent of coastal and underwater ecosystems. Seaweed not only features on diners’ plates but also influences the colour palette and décor: dark greens, organic textures and subtle patterns conjure images of a marine algae that grows abundantly along Scandinavia’s rocky shores.

At the heart of Røst is an open kitchen offering guests insight into the skill and creativity with which raw ingredients are transformed into culinary works of art. Opposite the galley are floor-to-ceiling windows granting unobscured views of either the Norwegian and Barents Sea or the country’s awe-inspiring coastline, depending on the direction of travel. When the curtains are drawn, the space is illuminated by copper pendant lamps whose metallic sheen enhances the refined contemporary aesthetic while offering a subtle nod to Hurtigruten’s nautical heritage.

Trollfjord’s combination of tradition, modernity and nature extends to the private suites. Here, the influence of Sámi artwork is evident in the furnishings and fittings. Materials including wool and wood emphasise the focus on sustainability, with earthy tones evoking the surrounding landscape and generating an elegant yet warm ambience. Again, decorative elements complement the overall aesthetic and bring to mind Norway’s seafaring culture and coastal landscapes.

Adjacent to the bedroom is a seating area complete with sofa, chairs and coffee table. If the comfortable furniture provides a homely feel, the unrestricted views from the bay windows remind guests that this is no ordinary setting for their morning coffee.

For Trollfjord, YSA Design has drawn on its considerable expertise to fulfil the expectations of the modern cruise audience; celebrate the culture and artistry of a local people; embody the sustainability values of the ship owner; and honour and revitalise an icon of Norwegian maritime history.

Written by Fabiana Vale Dornelas, Senior Interior Architect and Head of Sustainability & Implementation, YSA Design

Moby selects Kongsberg Maritime for emission-saving propulsion upgrade on five ro-pax ferries

Kongsberg Maritime has won a contract to upgrade the propulsion systems on five ro-pax ferries for Italian operator Moby. The vessel upgrades will together reduce CO2 emissions by more than 30,000 tonnes per year.

Moby operates a fleet of ro-pax ferries, operating in the western Mediterranean, including routes between the Italian mainland, Sicily, and Sardinia.

Three of the ships, the Moby Vinci, the Sharden, and the Moby Aki, will all receive a Promas Lite propulsion system, which combines rudder and propeller into one propulsion unit. Two further ships, the Moby Wonder and the Moby Tommy, will each receive re-bladed controllable pitch Kongsberg Kamewa propellers as part of their upgrade.

The Promas propulsion system integrates the controllable pitch propeller, hub cap, bulb, and rudder into one propulsive unit, increasing efficiency and manoeuvrability, and offering significant fuel savings without power losses. Available for either upgrades (Promas Lite) or for new build ships, Promas now has more than 200 references worldwide, across a range of ship types.

CEO of Moby – Achille Onorato, said: “This latest investment into upgrading our fleet demonstrates our continuing commitment to reducing the environmental impact of our operations and improving the overall service we can offer customers. By carrying out a programme of relatively simple upgrades to the propulsion systems, we can reduce our CO2 emissions by more than 30,000 tonnes per year. We’re pleased to be working with Kongsberg Maritime again on this latest project, as we draw on their expertise in efficient propeller design to transform our operations.

“We’re investing in new ships and new routes, innovative services and distribution as well as pricing strategies, a strict, quality-oriented hiring policy and uncompromising attention to safety and the environment”.

Executive Vice President, Global Customer Support, Kongsberg Maritime Jouni Raatikainen, Kongsberg Maritime’s Executive Vice President Global Customer Support, said: “This latest upgrade will deliver significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions for the five ships, and we’re delighted that Moby has again selected Kongsberg to provide an upgrade solution that supports our common goal to pursue sustainability, reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

“The Promas Lite propulsion system offers a relatively quick upgrade solution, which delivers efficiency savings and rapid return on investment. Our team at the Kongsberg Hydrodynamic Research Centre, in Sweden, has worked closely with Moby to design propellers that match the operational profile of each individual ship”.

Kongsberg Maritime has provided propulsion equipment to Moby since its early days in the 1970s when the company first started operations, purchasing several ferries from Scandinavian owners. Since then, Moby has grown significantly and invested in its fleet, including the latest new build, the Moby Fantasy.

Kongsberg Maritime has equipment on most of the Moby fleet, suppling controllable pitch propellers, tunnel thrusters and steering gear to almost all their ships.

Elomatic chosen to improve the energy efficiency of Crown Seaways cruise ferry

The Denmark based transport and logistics company DFDS has selected Elomatic to develop and deliver its Elogrid solution on the Crown Seaways cruise ferry, to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon emissions. Crown Seaways ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel which currently operates on the Denmark-Norway ferry route Copenhagen-Oslo.

DFDS will manage the installation of Elogrids during the annual drydocking at Fayard, which takes place in January 2024. Additionally, a specialist from Elomatic will supervise the operation on-site to ensure top-quality work and the smooth assembly of the complex structure.

The Elogrid tunnel thruster, which can be retrofitted onto a wide variety of vessels, reduces the additional resistance and, as a result, fuel consumption of ships. The solution will also help DFDS enhance the performance of its tunnel thrusters, resulting in better maneuverability. Additionally, it will reduce noise and vibrations throughout the entire vessel, meaning a better overall experience for passengers, a smoother journey, and an increased lifespan for onboard equipment.

Elogrid emphasizes how design expertise and resources are essential to tackling the decarbonization challenge. In general, the solution makes an immediate impact on the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) of vessels with fuel savings up to 4%, depending on the vessel design and speed. This also means a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Equipping tunnel thrusters with Elogrids typically repays itself within 6–18 months. Elogrid showcases Elomatic's profound expertise in flow modeling, serving as a prime illustration of our multi-disciplinary competencies across various sectors.

The partnership represents a major milestone in Elomatic’s strategic development. The Finnish engineering company is expanding its business by designing solutions that increase environmental and human wellbeing, whilst also improving the competitiveness of its customers.

“Our Elogrid solution significantly reduces water resistance and fuel consumption from ships, and demonstrates how even a small piece of equipment, developed using advanced modelling, can deliver a valuable impact on GHG emissions. It is an honor to have been chosen by DFDS S/A to support them on their energy efficiency and decarbonization initiatives, and we are confident that our partnership will continue to flourish in the near future," commented Guido Schulte, Sales Director for Elomatic’s Marine & Offshore Energy.

“We are committed to reducing our impact on the climate. In the short term, improving our existing fleet and making it pollute less and be more efficient is a focus area - even at smaller scales. To this end the Elogrid solution supports the efficiency of Crown Seaways and will reduce fuel consumption with around 1 % and hence support our green transition journey," says Moshe Poulsen, Superintendent and responsible for the vessel and the docking.

The Elomatic scope involves the design, manufacturing, and installation supervision of four grids for two tunnels on the Crown Seaways. This includes project management, concept design, performance analysis, basic design for authority approvals, when necessary, detailed design for manufacturing and assembling the Elogrids, procurement, overseeing the manufacturing process, coordinating the delivery of the Elogrids, and finally, providing on-site installation supervision.

Crown Seaways of DFDS. Photo credit: Teijo Niemela