Products & services

ABB to supply shore connection solution to Portsmouth International Port

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 28 February 2024 28 February 2024

ABB has won an order with Portsmouth International Port to supply a shore connection solution for visiting ferries and cruise ships. Part of the UK port’s Sea Change project to design, build and operate a shore power system across its three busiest berths, the installation will serve two ferry berths – each with five connection points – and an additional berth shared by ferries and cruise ships. The order was signed in January 2024, with the system due for installation in the fourth quarter of 2024 and expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2025.

ABB’s shore connection allows vessels to turn off their engines while at berth, avoiding annual carbon dioxide emissions for the vessels calling at the Portsmouth International Port by an estimated 20,000 metric tons from 2027. This will significantly improve air quality in the harbor area while helping the port to realize its long-term environmental ambitions.

As the UK’s largest and best-connected municipal port, we are committed to meeting the highest environmental standards and have set ourselves the target of reaching net-zero by 2030 and becoming the country’s first zero-emissions port by 2050,” said Stephen Watkyns, Technical Director at Portsmouth International Port. “ABB’s shore connection solution will help support these ambitions. Crucially, for the people of Portsmouth, it will have a hugely positive impact on air quality in the port and surrounding areas.”

ABB’s full scope of supply for the shore connection system comprises a 16-MVA ACS6080 drive with shunt filter, MV switchgear, power-factor compensation, transformers, e-houses, cable management systems, and automation. In addition, ABB will provide installation, cabling and commissioning services, while Portsmouth International Port will also benefit from a three-year maintenance agreement.

“Through its Sea Change project and ambitious emissions-reduction targets, Portsmouth International Port is taking a proactive approach to environmental sustainability,” said Marcus Martelin, Head of Decarbonization Services, ABB Marine & Ports. “To be selected as technology provider for this UK Government-funded project is a privilege and reflects our reputation as a trusted provider of shore connection capabilities for cleaner port operations.”

As part of the project, the port’s biggest customer, Brittany Ferries, will be introducing two new LNG-electric hybrid ferries from 2025 which will be the largest vessels of this type in the world. Alongside Portsmouth International Port and Brittany Ferries, ABB will join a consortium of academics, marine specialists and some of the UK’s most exciting technology SMEs have been brought together to deliver the project. The University of Portsmouth, MSE International, B4T, IOTICS and Swanbarton will all contribute technologies and expertise that will support Sea Change, making this an attractive and scalable solution which can be used by ports in the UK and abroad.

Sea Change is part of the Zero Emissions Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition, which was announced in February 2023, funded by UK Government, and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. As part of ZEVI, the Department for Transport allocated over £80 million to 10 flagship projects supported by 52 organizations from across the UK to deliver real-world demonstration R&D projects in clean maritime solutions. Projects will take place in multiple locations from the Orkney Isles to the southwest of England.

ZEVI is part of the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE), which focuses on clean maritime technologies that can be scaled rapidly to decarbonize the UK’s domestic maritime sector. In March 2022, the Department announced the biggest government investment ever in the UK commercial maritime sector, allocating £206 million to UK SHORE, a new division within the Department for Transport focused on decarbonizing the maritime sector. UK SHORE is delivering a suite of interventions throughout 2022–2025 aimed at accelerating the design, manufacture, and operation of UK-made clean maritime technologies and unlocking an industry-led transition to Net Zero.

ABB to power first hybrid-electric polar expedition cruise ship built in South America

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 20 February 2024 20 February 2024

ABB has been selected by the Astilleros y Servicios Navales S.A. (ASENAV) shipyard based in Chile to provide a power and propulsion system for Antarctica21’s newbuild boutique expedition ship Magellan Discoverer. Due for delivery in 2026, the vessel is the first hybrid-electric polar cruise ship featuring Azipod propulsion to be built in the Americas. Accommodating up to 96 passengers and 67 crew members, the vessel will be operating in the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).

ASENAV is the biggest private shipyard in Chile and Antarctica21 is a global leader in touristic operations focused on ‘fly & cruise’ expeditions to Antarctica. Both companies are important players in an expedition segment which recognizes technical innovation as key to balancing cost efficiency with environmental responsibility.

“This ship is born out of our unwavering commitment to meeting the rising expectations of our guests,” said Jaime Vásquez, President of Antarctica21. “Equipped with the latest technology, Magellan Discoverer strengthens our dedication to sustainability while offering seamless comfort for our travelers. With its modern elegance and advanced technical features, it supports our ongoing effort to provide unparalleled experiences in the spectacular Antarctic region.”

“Manufacturing the first hybrid-electric cruise ship in the Americas solidifies our position as a highly competitive shipyard on a global scale,” said Heinz Pearce, General Manager of ASENAV. “Alongside fostering new engineering solutions, we are constructing a vessel that meets the quality, comfort and sustainability needs currently demanded by the global tourism industry. With the support of our suppliers, such as ABB, we are now raising the standard in shipbuilding, leading the progress of an industry heading towards more sustainable development.”

The project further demonstrates ABB’s competitive advantage as a preferred supplier for electrification of expedition cruise ships. ABB’s scope of supply comprises the Azipod propulsion system and a hybrid power plant featuring the Onboard DC Grid power distribution system, with battery bank from Corvus Energy. The ship’s energy storage system allows the engines to be switched off for silent operations in environmentally sensitive areas. Moreover, the flexibility of ABB’s Onboard DC Grid allows integrating a wide range of energy sources, such as fuel cells, ensuring the vessel is ready to comply with stricter emission regulations in the future.

“We look forward to our collaboration with ASENAV and Antartica21,” said Juha Koskela, Division President, ABB Marine & Ports. “Every new reference for Azipod propulsion and hybrid power systems is a victory for ship efficiency, taking the industry forward on the journey toward decarbonization.”

The leading propulsion solution for cruise ships and ice-going vessels for over three decades, Azipod is a gearless steerable propulsion system, where the electric drive motor is housed within a pod outside the ship hull. Azipod units can rotate 360 degrees, increasing maneuverability, safety and operating efficiency of the vessel, while cutting fuel consumption by up to 20 percent compared to conventional shaftline systems.

ALMACO completes two projects for Carnival Jubilee

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 20 February 2024 20 February 2024

In October 2023, ALMACO successfully delivered a project for the newbuild Carnival Jubilee at Meyer Werft in Papenburg. The catering project consisted of a full visual turnkey delivery of all the ship’s provision stores. Additionally, ALMACO supported the yard with manpower for work consisting of fixed furniture installation in over 1000 cabins. This second project was delivered in December 2023.

Meyer Werft and Carnival Cruise Line chose ALMACO to plan, design, build, supply and commission all the provision areas onboard Carnival Jubilee. Frédéric Vasseur, President of the Catering division, emphasized the significance of high-quality provision stores for Carnival Jubilee, stating, “The provision stores comply with the strictest USPH sanitation and safety requirements. The system is also highly efficient and has a patented door solution that has been developed together with a preferred partner of ALMACO.”

In May, 2023, ALMACO's team of 26 skilled carpenters and electricians was contracted by the Meyer to support the yard with catch-up work in the accommodation areas. The team mobilized boarded the ship in only 2 weeks and achieved an installation speed of 15 cabins per day. The total amount of cabins installed by ALMACO is over 1000. The project later extended beyond furniture to include air supply connections, additional electrical works, ceiling enhancements, and cabin finishings. With a workforce of at most 55 individuals, including a site manager and an electrical supervisor, ALMACO ensured the project's smooth execution.

Jean-Pierre Lepage, VP of Accommodation Modernizations at ALMACO, notes, "Our team's commitment allowed us to meet our targets. The completion of this project underscores ALMACO's dedication to delivering quality solutions and agility to mobilize a large site team in a very short time.”

Brenock Technology and Shoretime announce integration and deal with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to enhance excursion management

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 20 February 2024 20 February 2024

Brenock Technology, LLC (Brenock), a leading provider of software applications and consulting services for marine, cruise and hospitality sectors, in collaboration with Shoretime LLC, a Software as a Service (SaaS) provider of Shoretime, an end-to-end shore excursion management solution for the cruise industry, today announced their official partnership and first contract with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH). Through the agreement, NCLH will deploy the Shoretime platform in a phased approach, starting with the tour bidding and inventory allocation modules from its head office and with tour operator partners worldwide. The platform will enhance excursion development and management for NCLH and its global tour operators.

Shoretime, a first-of-its-kind cloud-based excursion management interface, will automate and streamline core aspects of NCLH’s tour planning, including creating tours and sourcing bids from tour operators. The platform provides real-time updates that facilitate NCLH’s selection of tour operators, enabling automated inventory management and scheduling of selected excursions for its guests. It also increases visibility and streamlines communication between cruise lines and tour operators across all stages of tour planning, execution and reporting. Introducing this level of automation into inventory management replaces the outdated manual processes that have long been prone to errors and delays.

"We are proud to launch Shoretime, a ground-breaking excursion management tool that reflects our dedication to leading through innovation and superior quality. This platform transforms the tour management process, optimizing interactions with tour operators, content management, and revenue efficiency, all through state-of-the-art technology with a user-first approach. Shoretime is designed to not only fulfill the current demands of our guests but also to anticipate future challenges, setting a new standard in our industry,” commented Jean-Pierre Joubert, VP of Commercial Destination Services NCLH.

Through the deployment of Shoretime, NCLH will add to Shoretime’s marketplace, where both tour operators and cruise lines access a trusted and vetted list of tour options. This marketplace reduces the complexities for cruise lines and tour operators and creates a unified process for shore excursions within the cruise industry.

“Our contract with NCLH marks a pivotal moment for Shoretime as we endeavor to revolutionize the marketplace for cruise tour excursions,” said Pierre Kleinhans, CEO of Tactivion and founder of Shoretime. “By facilitating streamlined operations and enhanced data-driven insights for cruise lines and tour operators, we are not only simplifying the excursion management but also creating opportunities for tailored, exceptional guest experiences and more robust business prospects for our partners.”

NCLH will go live with Shoretime in April 2024 and Brenock’s port cost management tool, Integrated Management System, in Q2 2024.

“We are really thrilled to embark on this partnership with Shoretime,” said Manus Walsh, president at Brenock. “It has long been a goal of Brenock’s to offer an end-to-end cloud-based port cost management solution, and we have finally reached that goal with the integration of Shoretime. Brenock’s core products will be tightly integrated with Shoretime, offering a seamless experience for our customers.”

Bolidt makes Japanese decking debut with NYK Cruises breakthrough order

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 07 February 2024 07 February 2024

Bolidt has secured its first order to supply and install decking and flooring for the Japanese cruise and ferry market, after a breakthrough order covering the NYK Cruises ship Asuka III.

Currently under construction at Meyer Werft’s shipyard in Papenburg, Germany and due delivery in Q2 2025, the 229-metre length Asuka III was among the first cruise ships ordered following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Accommodating up to 744 guests, the luxury ship will run on liquefied natural gas and feature optimised hydrodynamics for its planned Asian routes.

With its homeport in Yokohama, Japan, the luxury ship is being tailored to the preferences of Japanese travellers.

In 2023, representatives from NYK Cruises, SMC Design and shipbuilder Meyer Werft visited Bolidt headquarters to create the colour palette for onboard areas – with special attention given to the sports courts. Working in collaboration, a selection of new colours was developed to achieve a perfect match. Subsequently, Bolidt secured a contract covering an extensive scope of supply for Asuka III, including the Bolideck systems Future Teak, Select Hard, and Select Soft.

“Although we have previously worked with East Asian operators such as Genting Hong Kong, Japan is a new market for us, and as such, it presents new opportunities,” said Jacco van Overbeek, Director Maritime, Bolidt. “Bolideck systems – in particular Future Teak – are the ideal choice for modern, environmentally friendly vessels like Asuka III, and we are delighted to be collaborating with NYK Cruises on this exciting project.”

Bolideck Future Teak – a lightweight, hardwearing, and cost-effective alternative to real teak – will be used extensively over seven decks, featuring in gangways, in lifts and stair lobbies, and on the balconies of decks 7–11. Launched in 2005, it has become a fixture across the cruise and ferry segments, offering the luxurious look and feel of teak without the environmental impact.

Bolideck Select Hard, and Select Soft, meanwhile, will feature on Asuka III’s boat deck on deck-7, and on the deck-12 sundeck with sports court, and outdoor crew area including basketball court. All areas will benefit from the anti-skid properties and UV resistance of both products.