Products & services

VIKING Helix shapes simpler, easier ship evacuation at speed

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 15 April 2026 15 April 2026

A new generation marine evacuation system (MES) from VIKING Life-Saving Equipment offers a faster exit for passengers, simpler operation for crew and easier service for cruise and ferry owners.

Developed for passenger ships needing high evacuation capacity, the VIKING Helix MES introduces a new helix-type slide that 4-8 people can use at once, and a unique bowsing system that keeps life rafts on-side with minimal crew involvement.

Enabling the controlled ship evacuation of up to 477 persons within 30 minutes into 153-person life rafts alongside, the multiple occupancy slide accommodates adults of all sizes. It also allows adults and children to evacuate together, while even stretchers carrying injured persons can be brought into the continuous flow.

“The Helix solution has been designed for operational speed and simplicity, technical efficiency, while the controlled descent of evacuees means they need less crew assistance transferring from the slide to the life raft,” said Alex Kristensen, VP Cruise & Ferry, VIKING Life-Saving Equipment.

Certified for use by DNV, the VIKING Helix supports a wide range of vessel configurations and is especially suited to larger ferries and small to mid-size cruise ships. Installed at heights ranging between 5 and 23 meters, the system requires no welding on the ship side, making integration straightforward into newbuild and retrofit projects.

For heights of up to 12 meters, the VIKING Helix features a patent-pending bowsing system which automatically activates cylinders after raft ballast water bags are filled to maintain position manual bowsing. Bowsing line tightening is the failing most frequently reported in evacuation training.

“Automated bowsing allows the Helix MES to work with trim and list in a working range of 4-29 meters, so that fast and safe evacuation goes ahead even in challenging conditions,” said Kristensen. “Users also avoid the service time and cost needed to reinstall bowsing systems every three years when systems are deployed – as required by SOLAS.”

Harbor trials at the VIKING Testing Center, Esbjerg focused on materials, structural integrity and system behavior, with volunteers of different ages and physical conditions moving through the slide and boarding life rafts. Subsequent heavy-weather sea trials in the North Sea verified performance in waters where wind, waves and motions tested the slide’s movement with a vessel and control over evacuee descent in changing trim and list conditions.

Minimized operational disruption is also designed in to a system which requires service at an authorized service station once every 30 months. “One Helix slide and a 153-person life raft are housed in an enclosed GRP frame which fits into the standard height between two decks and is removed as one unit,” said Kristensen. “Switch-out is straightforward, even during short port stays.”

Wärtsilä and Margaritaville at Sea sign a long-term Lifecycle Agreement

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 10 April 2026 10 April 2026

Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a ten-year Lifecycle Agreement with Margaritaville at Sea, reinforcing the cruise line’s continued investment in high standards of maintenance, operational reliability, and performance across its growing fleet. The agreement covers the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise and Margaritaville at Sea Islander, both currently in service, as well as the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber, scheduled to enter service later this year. The agreements for the first two vessels were booked by Wärtsilä in Q1 2026, with the third vessel to follow within the year.

Margaritaville at Sea is recognised for maintaining exceptionally high technical standards, with a strong focus on proactive maintenance, engineering excellence, and continuous optimisation of vessel performance. This agreement further enhances these capabilities through structured lifecycle planning and advanced technical support.

“This agreement reflects our ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards across our fleet,” says Minas Miliaras, Chief Maritime Officer (CMO), Margaritaville at Sea. “Our vessels are operated and maintained with a strong focus on reliability, efficiency, and performance. By working closely with Wärtsilä, we are strengthening our ability to deliver consistent, high-quality operations while continuing to optimise performance and long-term asset value.”

The agreement includes comprehensive lifecycle planning, long-term maintenance support, and technical services tailored to each vessel’s operational profile. These services are designed to enhance reliability, optimise maintenance intervals, and support efficient operations across the fleet. In addition, the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber will benefit from Wärtsilä’s advanced Expert Insight digital solution, enabling real-time monitoring and predictive analytics to further enhance performance and operational efficiency.

“Our Lifecycle Agreements are designed to support customers who prioritise operational excellence and reliability,” comments Andrea Morgante, Vice President, Performance Services, Wärtsilä Marine. “Margaritaville at Sea has demonstrated a strong commitment to maintaining high-performing vessels, and we are proud to support their continued growth and operational success.”

This partnership supports Margaritaville at Sea’s broader strategy of investing in high-quality operations, efficiency improvements, and long-term fleet reliability, ensuring a consistent and seamless experience for guests while maintaining strong operational performance.

Bolidt on deck at scale as new cruise season approaches

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 10 April 2026 10 April 2026

The coming season sees major operators including MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean and AIDA Cruises engaging industry-leading decking company Bolidt for key works across their fleets.

As part of MSC Cruises’ refurbishment programme focus to add exclusive, high-end areas on several existing ships, Bolidt recently completed extensive refit works aboard MSC Magnifica, to be followed by MSC Poesia, both at Palumbo Shipyards in Malta. Upgrades cover the installation of prefabricated elements and the creation of VIP spaces in the new MSC Yacht Club, as well as the replacement of real teak with more hardwearing Bolideck Future Teak in the pool and Jacuzzi areas.

Works on board MSC Magnifica concluded in December 2025, and the ship has since embarked on a world cruise. MSC Poesia is expected to rejoin the MSC Cruises’ fleet in time for its Alaska itinerary in May 2026. Bolidt will undertake similar renovations aboard MSC Musica, with installations scheduled to commence in November 2026.

Underscoring its long-standing partnership with MSC Cruises, the company has also secured contracts for newbuild projects for the line’s World Class ships, including MSC World Asia, ahead of her scheduled delivery in 2026. In addition, Bolidt’s decking innovation has been selected for the cruise line’s luxury Explora Journeys fleet, including the latest vessel Explora III, which is due to enter service this summer.

For AIDA Cruises, Bolidt has worked on three vessels since 2025: AIDAdiva, AIDAluna, and AIDAbella. The projects are part of the ‘AIDA Evolution’ programme – the largest modernisation initiative in the operator’s history. Most recently, Bolidt refitted AIDAbella’s pool deck, integrating prefabricated sun loungers and fitting the games area with a distinctive ‘’Glitter & Glamour floor’’. Bolidt also completed various spaces on board using its innovative Bolideck LED flooring, delivering a striking blend of design originality and immersive guest experience.

With AIDAbella having recently returned to service after a Mediterranean voyage, future opportunities involve supporting the upcoming drydocks across the AIDA Cruises fleet. They include AIDAmar and AIDAblu, whose refurbishment is scheduled later this year, followed by AIDAsol and AIDAstella in 2027 and 2028, respectively. Bolidt was involved in the newbuild phase for all seven AIDA vessels.

Another major project starting this month involves Harmony of the Seas, as part of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplification refit programme. The vessel will undergo a comprehensive refurbishment at Navantia’s Cádiz yard, where Bolidt’s scope includes the renovation of the Boardwalk on Deck 6. Delivered in a close collaboration between the owner and the Bolidt design team, the project creates a striking, pier-inspired aesthetic with alternating light and dark flooring and soft blue tones that evoke the sensation of water, while also enhancing comfort through effective noise-reduction solutions using Bolideck Future Teak and Select Soft/Hard solutions.

“Sustained demand for Bolidt’s refit expertise emphasises our status as the decking supplier of choice for a wide range of cruise operators and ships sailing globally,” said Robert van Aarle, Director, Maritime & Defence. “The interest shown in our new Bolideck LED product also reflects the industry's healthy appetite for innovation. We remain committed to providing next generation solutions that meet evolving guest expectations while complementing design excellence.”

Anglo-Eastern supports Four Seasons Yachts’ successful entry into the ultra-yacht sector

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 09 April 2026 09 April 2026

Four Seasons I, a 95-suite yacht that announced Four Seasons’ entry into the ultra-luxury yacht segment, has successfully completed its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean, supported by Anglo Eastern Cruise Management Inc. (AECMI) as its technical ship management partner.

AECMI’s involvement began during the newbuilding phase at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard in 2024 and now includes technical management, safety and regulatory compliance, and crew recruitment and training customised to meet Four Seasons hospitality standards. Shoreside support covers fuel procurement, emissions‑related compliance, itinerary and port support, medical coordination and voyage security monitoring, with new technology being introduced to facilitate 24/7 coverage to maximise guest safety as the yacht sails through some of the world’s most exclusive destinations.

Neil McNeil, Managing Director, AECMI, said: “From the outset, close cooperation with Malta Flag (Transport Malta), the shipowner and the classification society was essential. The yacht’s highly customised design called for tailored operating procedures to ensure tender operations for limousines, side shell doors and floating marinas, and onboard water sports could be introduced safely and seamlessly. This is further backed by a bespoke Safety Management System.”

Through its role as ship manager, AECMI continues to deliver on its commitment to its clients by translating complex vessel capabilities and brand aspirations into safe, reliable, and well-managed operations at sea.