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YSA Design re-imagines heritage cruising for Hurtigruten's Trollfjord

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 10 July 2023 10 July 2023

Re-imagined interior spaces from YSA Design on a Hurtigruten ship are turning heads all along the Norwegian coast, after a substantial upgrade that meets expectations for future sustainability while paying homage to the owner’s 130-year heritage of stylish cruising.

In June, Trollfjord began making calls along the ‘Svalbard Express’ route that Hurtigruten sustained from 1968 to 1982 as a vital passenger and mail-boat link to the Svalbard archipelago. The first calls launch a full season of cruising that takes in the most northerly inhabited towns in the world.

In an upgrade that also features the use of sustainable power and propulsion technologies on board a ship built in 2002, the 500-guest capacity Trollfjord is “reborn for modern cruising while embodying the heritage of this iconic route”, says Fabiana Vale Dornelas, Senior Interior Architect and Head of Sustainability & Implementation, YSA Design.

YSA Design conceived, refined and project managed delivery of striking interior stylings on board the 16,140gt Trollfjord’s three main restaurants, all cabins and suites, and the conversion of the two-storey upper-deck lounge into the panoramic 1893 Bar plus sun deck area, says Vale Dornelas. In doing so, the designer sought to create ship spaces that encapsulate Norway’s past, present, and future, in a unique blend of modern Scandinavian design, nostalgic flourishes from the golden era of small-ship sailing, and heritage-led choices to incorporate the artistry of the northerly Sámi people.

“From the spatial planning of the restaurant areas, to the carefully chosen décor, the retro menus and the inspirations provided by local cultures, every detail contributes to the immersive experience, combining the charm of the past with modern sophistication,” says Vale Dornelas. Sámi traditionally manufacture articles for everyday use from raw materials available from their surroundings, she adds. This ethos is fully echoed on board Trollfjord, where hard-wearing, locally sourced natural materials such as wool, wood and stone feature prominently throughout.

The mix of modern and heritage styles runs throughout upscale suites and cabins, where YSA Design has used natural textures and warm tones to create a cosy but contemporary feel. The owner’s itinerary foresees Trollfjord engaging with communities through longer stopovers, so that guests experience the rich surrounding heritage. Vale Dornelas emphasises how “story-telling details” are reflected in cabin furnishings which feature Sámi fabric patterns and stitching techniques.

“All along, our aim has been to deliver the style and comfort the modern cruise audience expects while honouring the historic identity of the Svalbard Express to revive the ship’s essence, celebrate Sámi culture and heritage, and embody the sustainable principles of the owner,” she says.

Ship2Shore Employ lands Starboard, its first client

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 06 July 2023 06 July 2023

In an innovative new approach to boosting crew staffing throughout the cruise industry, Ship2Shore Employ, a new recruitment and developing company, has signed Starboard Cruise Services, its first client.

Barbara Cobas, Founder and CEO of Ship2Shore Employ, said, “Starboard, our inaugural client, sets an inspiring example as a leading light in the industry, showcasing their progressive and compassionate approach to hiring new talent.” Barbara added, “Lisa Bauer and her team are paving the way for diverse and innovative hiring practices within our industry and highlight the invaluable experience and knowledge of former crew." 

Ship2Shore Employ aims to change the lives of experienced crew members affected by pandemic demands on families and lifestyles by connecting them with virtual and shoreside employment opportunities in the industry. By connecting these highly skilled individuals with cruise brands, they enable these crew members to leverage their skills and expertise – even from the comfort of their own home countries.

Ship2Shore Employ's approach recognizes the importance of enabling former crew members to leverage their unique skills and expertise. By connecting these highly skilled individuals with cruise brands, Ship2Shore Employ enables them to continue making significant contributions to the industry they are passionate about, even from the comfort of their home countries. 

The first role available with Starboard is a Traveling Visual Merchandiser. This position aims to maximize merchandise presentation in Starboard’s shops onboard cruise ships through elevated visual merchandising. Former crew members can apply their expertise and creativity to help deliver an exceptional shopping experience for cruise passengers. 

Lisa Bauer, president and CEO of Starboard, said, “Our partnership with Ship2Shore Employ aligns perfectly with our purpose - to curate a vibrant world for guests, cruise line partners, brand collaborators and employees, and we are excited about the positive impact it will have on our company and industry." Lisa added, “We believe in the immense talent that lies within former crew members and we can’t wait to welcome them to our global team.” 

Support for former crew members extends beyond recruitment, as Ship2Shore Employ offers professional development services, which assist individuals in their transition from shipboard to land-based careers. These services include free weekly webinars exclusively for crew, covering various topics focused on personal and career growth, such as LinkedIn usage, interview skills, and career planning. By utilizing Ship2Shore Employ's comprehensive support system, former crew members can thrive in their professional journeys beyond their time at sea. 

Hamburg Messe und Congress launches cooperation partnership with CLIA

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 29 June 2023 29 June 2023

Hamburg Messe und Congress (HMC) and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) have signed an agreement to collaborate on three international trade fairs: Seatrade Europe Cruise & River Cruise Convention 2023, MARINE INTERIORS Cruise & Ferry Global Expo 2023, and SMM, the leading international maritime trade fair.

“We are very much looking forward to partnering with CLIA. Together with its member companies, this renowned association is a contributor to the success of our trade fairs and conferences, highlighting Hamburg’s importance for the cruise sector and the maritime business world in general,” said Claus Ulrich Selbach, Business Unit Director Maritime and Technology Fairs at HMC.

CLIA will harness its global expertise to advise, support, and amplify Hamburg Messe und Congress in planning and implementing the trade fairs and provide assistance with planning the specialist conferences accompanying the events. On 5 September, just ahead of Seatrade Europe and MARINE INTERIORS Cruise & Ferry Global Expo, CLIA will hold its business-driven Ports & Destinations Dialogue on the campus of Hamburg Messe und Congress to facilitate innovative, enterprising exchanges between cruise line members and industry executive partners focused on ports, destinations, and travel activities.

CLIA President and CEO Kelly Craighead shared that: "CLIA is pleased to partner with Hamburg Messe for these important maritime trade fairs and conferences, including the CLIA Ports and Destination Dialogue, where our cruise line members and partners convene for discussions, networking, and practical workshops on key topics.

The cruise industry is future-focused, and these events provide essential opportunities for our community to come together to shape positive outcomes for future sustainable growth.

It is appropriate that such a prestigious event on the cruise calendar will take place in Hamburg, a leading cruise hub in Europe, and CLIA looks forward to joining with Hamburg Messe to welcome our colleagues and partners from around the world.”

Comau and Fincantieri present mobile welding robot, agree to extend cooperation

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 28 June 2023 28 June 2023

Comau and Fincantieri, two Italian world leaders in their respective markets, present the first result of their joint collaboration at Automatica: MR4Weld (Mobile Robot for Welding) mobile robot, an innovative outdoor automation solution to improve quality, performance and well-being during labor-intensive welding activities. The companies have also renewed their strategic agreement to apply technology, digitalization, and innovation within cutting-edge, mobile robotic solutions that will increase production speed and worker well-being, by automating traditionally manual processes. Having first signed a letter of intent in 2021, which was aimed at developing robotized steel welding solution prototypes and the resulting construction of a series of machines – after successful completion of production tests of the prototypes which are currently undergoing, Comau CEO, Pietro Gorlier, and Fincantieri CEO, Pierroberto Folgiero, have signed a renewed agreement which foresees the development of additional mobile robotized machines and solutions for unstructured environments.

Considered a new paradigm in bringing automation beyond the factory floor, the MR4Weld mobile robot is being tested and will be subsequently used within Fincantieri shipyards to autonomously weld steel structures, with a possible 3-fold increase compared to a manual process. It features a high-payload, 6-axis articulated robot fitted with a welding torch that is installed on a tracked undercarriage and equipped with an integrated vision system to autonomously identify welding joints. More importantly, it guarantees better welding quality while reducing ergonomic risks, helping the transformation of the shipbuilding production process by ensuring greater flexibility and improved safety in addition to lower overall costs.

Designed to be able to move in any environment and to collaborate with workers, MR4Weld can be easily managed by a single operator during the transfer and welding activities. The system also employs digital tools to collect welding and production data that can be used to record the welded joints. Since MR4Weld is in complete compliance with current safety regulations, it can be used without fences on each of the multiple decks that a vessel is made up of. Fincantieri and Comau have jointly filed a European patent application for specific MR4Weld technological features. The cutting-edge solution can also be seamlessly integrated within Comau’s digital infrastructure, further safeguarding the robotic system’s productivity and profitability.

As part of the renewed collaboration, the companies will develop advanced and mobile robotics to automate other repetitive activities of the shipbuilding processes including those characterized by vertical and non-linear surfaces as well as unstructured environments, in addition to the testing of Comau’s exoskeletons for further improving the operators’ ergonomic conditions and well-being. Fincantieri will also work with Comau to strengthen and upgrade the technical skills of its operators in terms of using and programming the robotized mobile systems, by adapting to the shipbuilding operators’ dedicated advanced training formats, which are already developed by Comau. In fact, implementing automated solutions for highly repetitive and non-high value-added production activities represents one of the pillars of Fincantieri’s strategy.

Comau will also take yet another step toward differentiating its core business and expanding into new segments beyond the factory floor. Furthermore, the companies will begin industrializing their unique MR4Weld robotics solution which can be applied not only to the shipbuilding industry but also for industries that require the production of large steel infrastructures, among others. Within the LoI, the companies will study and evaluate the ways and relevant agreements for further facilitating the prompt development of the identified technological solutions.