Products & services

TDoS’ Fredrik Johansson discusses Four Seasons yacht design

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 24 October 2022 24 October 2022

TDoS’ Partner and Executive Director Fredrik Johansson reveals some inside information about the design inspiration for the project, as well as an exclusive publishing of a first glimpse of the inside of the glamorous yacht:

It all started with a very clear and unique vision from our client. The brief was condensed by Philip Levine into a single line: “Imagine that Chrustina O meets James BOnd!” It would be hard to go wrong there, you may think - but it is also a huge challenge. You must not go wrong - failure is simply not an option. Every part and every detail of the yacht has to be perfect! Luckily, we have a company filled with highly passionate and talented creators - and an extremely devoted project design team, skillfully led by Salvatore Davide La Manna.

The Christina O is such a legendary yacht, packed with a myriad of unique features. Steeped in stories of the rich and famous, she was the glamorous backdrop for entertaining some of the world’s most famous politicians, performers and other high-profile guests. James Bond, of course, requires no further introduction.

There is also nothing better for a project than when you base the development on a clear vision like this. It immediately sparks endless imagination and possibilities - and it triggered us to design something that truly is unique, something that will turn classic and intimate experiences into life-long and incomparable memories.

Working closely with the very talented and knowledgeable team members and partners at Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings - being the Owner and Joint Operator of Four Seasons Yachts - has been nothing short of inspirational, and a true privilege. Much inspiration was taken from the private and sophisticated atmosphere of Surf Club, Miami Beach - and of course from the golden era of classic yachting. Already at the outset, we concluded that the master planning must be made to welcome every single guest as if it was to the yacht of a close friend, instilling an instant sense of relaxation and belonging.

The yacht’s exterior design has been developed in-house, with our yacht designer Riccardo Manzoni playing an instrumental role. We wanted to create a truly timeless elegance, with a curvaceous and elegant architecture. We all love the harmonious lines and proportions of Christina O, which also featured a very generous and beautifully furbished aft pool deck. Ergo, the Four Seasons Yachts was designed to feature a unique and 20 meter long pool in the very aft, with a surrounding deck landscaping who’s layout caters perfectly for both privacy and socializing. The pool bottom will double up as a stage for catwalks, live music, etc.

The silhouette of Christina O is largely shaped by its large and iconic funnel. The Four Seasons Yachts however, will be designed and equipped to minimize emissions. We therefore though hard and long of a way to give the funnel of the Four Seasons Yachts’ a completely new and innovative context - and the concept of the sublime ‘Funnel Suite’ was born. As a guest, you will have a total of 892 square metres of combined indoor & outdoor space, distributed over four levels, meaning that you really are on top pf the world here. It’s also accessible, directly and privately, from a tender platform at water level, allowing you to invite all your friends onboard in complete discretion. To us, this a as close you will come to a true James Bond moment on any yacht!

Yet another spectacular design feature onboard is the port-to-starboard transversal marina. Not only is this dual marina a unique engineering masterpiece, but its terraced design also allows the guests to enjoy the sea first hand, with immediate access to water activities, and to “sea limousine” transfers to shore. As if that wasn’t enough, it can also be transformed into an exclusive dining experience from which you can almost dip your toes in the water!

The interior design team is led by TDoS’ celebrated Design Director My Östin. The highly creative design groupe will create suites and social spaces that reflect a truly effortless Dolce Vita and worldly sophistication, offering everything that is essential for a truly epic yachting experience.

Survitec appoints Robert Steen Kledal as CEO

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 17 October 2022 17 October 2022

Strengthening the company’s position as the world’s leading Survival Technology solutions partner, Survitec has today announced the appointment of Robert Steen Kledal as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

As CEO, Robert will be responsible for setting Survitec’s strategic direction. He will lead the Survitec Executive team and sit on the Survitec Board.

At the start of the year, Survitec launched a new organisational structure designed to make Survitec an even better partner – increased levels of customer centricity and agility were the main focus.

Robert will continue the transformation work, positioning Survitec customers at the heart of every decision while achieving profitable growth.

A key focus for Robert will be Survitec’s workforce of over 3,000 professionals, ensuring they feel connected to the Survitec purpose, which is “We Exist to Protect Lives.”

Robert has over 30 years of experience in executive level roles on a global scale. He was CEO at Wrist Ship Supply, the world’s leading ship and offshore supplier of provisions & stores, for over nine years. He led the organisation and its 1,600 colleagues, through digital transformation, enabling substantial improvement to how the business engaged its customers.

His experience spans the maritime and defence industries. He has also held several senior positions, during his 21 years at Moeller-Maersk Group and served in the Danish Army as a Sergeant. In addition to his role as CEO of Survitec, Robert is also on the Board of Directors at Wrist Ship Supply and Blue Water Shipping, a global provider of tailor-made transport and logistics solutions.

He has lived and worked all over the world and is familiar with five languages.

When asked why he chose to join the team Trusted to Protect Lives, he commented, “Coming from the shipping industry, I was instantly attracted to the inspiring purpose of Survitec. I look forward to building on this great legacy and the achievements made to position Survitec as the global leader in Survival Technology for our customers worldwide. Not least to service our customers’ requirements effectively.”

Tillberg Design of Sweden to Provide Design for Four Seasons’ Luxury Yacht Experience

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 29 September 2022 29 September 2022

Luxury yacht and cruise ship designer Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS) has been tapped to provide the design for the first Four Seasons Yacht. The 207m (679ft) all-suite yacht is the first of a planned fleet for the global luxury hospitality brand, which intends to offer exceptional land and sea travel experiences distinguished by elevated design, craftsmanship, service and excellence.

The enterprise is a cross-industry collaboration between Four Seasons, TDoS, luxury travel experts FS YachtCo, lifestyle curator and publisher Prosper Assouline and award-winning ship builder Fincancieri, and is designed to create a new category of luxury lifestyle travel appealing to a segment of one within the Ultra High Net Worth community of travelers.

The Four Seasons Yacht will feature 14 decks with vast indoor and outdoor private guest areas that offers nearly 50 percent more living space per guest than any competitor. Guests will be accommodated in 95 expansive and multi-level guest suites with adjoining options that allow for adaptable, villa-like residences. Each custom suite is budgeted at $4.2M to build and will feature floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive terraces. The most spacious suite will span four decks encompassing 431 square meters (4,639 square feet) and will offer a 462sqm (4,973sqft) terrace with a private pool.

Four Seasons will lend its culinary innovation and hospitality expertise to the yacht’s restaurants, lounges and bar concepts, as well as the full-service spa, salon and wellness offerings. The top-of-the-line amenities will be accompanied by the attentive and personalized service that defines the Four Seasons. The yacht will feature a classic canoe-shaped stern, which will house the industry’s largest pool deck of its size on the fifth deck. It will also feature a port-to-starboard transversal “dual marina”, which brings guests to sea level for water activities and seamless transfers to shore via the yacht’s sea limousines. The dual marina feature can also transform into an exclusive floating dining experience.

“We are delighted to bring our expertise in both yacht and cruise ship design to this unique and exciting project,” says TDos Partner and Executive Director Fredrik Johansson. “It is a collaboration with a brand that understands the expectations and desires of the yachting world and is dedicated to creating a guest experience that is unparalleled.”

“This project is in a class by itself, as it combines the best of ultra-luxury passenger ship construction with yacht design to create a brand new class of ultra-luxury vessels,” says Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division General Manager Luigi Matarazzo. “We are proud to apply our expertise in engineering, design and style to such a remarkable partnership.”

Now in the design and planning stage, the first Four Seasons Yacht is anticipated to set sail in late 2025 with a series of global itineraries focused on intriguing and cohesive guest experiences led by a dedicated Four Seasons team.

VARD details Viking Polaris construction, delivery

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 04 October 2022 04 October 2022

VARD recently delivered Viking Polaris, the second of two ice-strengthened expedition vessels from VARD to Viking.

"Built at Vard Søviknes in Ålesund, Norway, Viking Polaris represents an excellent and innovative way to explore the world’s most remote destinations and is specifically geared for adventure cruises in polar destinations," the shipyard said in a statement.

The vessel has a length of 205 meters and a beam of 23,5 meters, especially designed and developed for comfortable expeditions in Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes. The vessel hosts 378 guests in 189 staterooms.

"Together with her sister, Viking Octantis, Viking Polaris is an amazing and unique ship that represents innovation and development of the cruise segment for both Viking and VARD," says General Manager for Business Unit Cruise at VARD, Attilio Dapelo.

"Both vessels are over 200 meter long and the largest vessels built by VARD so far and once again confirm VARD’s capabilities to build excellent vessels at the highest standards of cruise ships. I am grateful to everyone involved in the project for being dedicated to their tasks and to the commitment to deliver Viking Polaris on time and with high quality’s levels. A special thanks to Viking for the trust and for the excellent, fruitful, and continuous cooperation all along the designing and building process."

Viking Polaris is an ice-strengthened Polar Class 6 vessel with a longer hull, straight bow, and state-of-the-art fin stabilizers to provide the calmest possible journeys in remote regions. The u-tank stabilizers will significantly decrease rolling when the ship is stationary. The hull is built at Vard Tulcea in Romania. Vard Tulcea has also partly outfitted the ship.

"We are proud to deliver the second ice-strengthened expedition vessel to Viking," says yard director at Vard Søviknes, Arnt Inge Gjerde.

"The vessel is fantastic, and with a very high standard. Considering the sistership effect, and that we brought the synergies from the first vessel, we are very satisfied with the result. Viking Polaris is equipped with the latest technology and automation systems, all commissioned and tested by VARD in a very close cooperation with Viking. Our inhouse competence in innovative design and technology, executed at our yards through all the steps in the process, is a huge strength which is supported by our owner Fincantieri."

VARD signed the Letter of Intent (LOI) for the two cruise vessels with Viking in April 2018. The contracts for the vessels became effective in July 2018.

Viking Polaris was delivered from Vard Søviknes 27 September 2022. The float out ceremony took place in Vard Tulcea in July 2021.The vessel arrived Vard Søviknes in Norway 22nd January 2022 for further outfitting, testing and finalization.

Her sister, Viking Octantis, was delivered from Vard Søviknes 22nd of December 2021.

Marioff to deliver HI-FOG Fire Protection Systems to two Ritz-Carlton newbuilds

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 28 September 2022 28 September 2022

Marioff has announced its HI-FOG high-pressure water mist system has been selected as the fire protection solution for two new luxury superyacht cruise ships to be built for the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France. Marioff is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, the leading global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent building and cold chain solutions.

Marioff will be protecting the ships’ accommodation, service, machinery areas and ducts with the HI-FOG high-pressure water mist system using plain water as the extinguishing agent, making it safe a solution both for people and for the environment.

“We are excited to be selected as the fire protection solution provider for these new superyacht cruise ships and to provide our extensive experience in water mist fire protection technology for the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection,” said Kaius Kovanen, Director, Marine Business Unit, Marioff. “The HI-FOG system is a perfect solution for vessels protecting passengers, crew and property. At the same time, we are delighted to continue our long-term relationship with Chantiers de l’Atlantique.”

Marioff has delivered the HI-FOG system to hundreds of cruise ships and luxury yachts, and with this unrivalled experience, provides efficient, purpose-built solutions to suit even the most demanding applications.