Products & services

Seastema of Fincantieri presents console design

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 23 September 2021 23 September 2021

Seastema, a Fincantieri company, will bring the innovative console "Light Bridge Console", characterized by a design of absolute prestige, at the next Monaco Yacht Show.

The system includes two versions: the "Light Bridge Console" installed on the Benetti Diamond 44Mt and the "Light Bridge Captain Chair" installed on the Benetti Oasis 40Mt. In both solutions, carbon fiber was used in order to obtain a thin and light structure with great resistance and silence.

The development of the two projects has been made possible thanks to the use of new software technologies for system integration developed by Seastema.

The technology utilized is entirely developed in house, by using the SEASYacht platform with the set of graphic libraries MPEV (Marine Portal EVolution), the latest generation of graphics for the operator interface development.

The first important result of this project is installed on the “First of Class” of the Diamond 44 Mt delivered in July to the great satisfaction of the owner and the Benetti shipyard.

On the first model of Oasis 40M, the bridge console gives way to two small "peninsulas" similar to the armrests of a "Captain Chair", which leaves to the captain a completely open sea view. Ordered in July 2019, the first system was built and delivered for the first ship of the “REBECA” class in one year.

The installation, wiring and start-up of the console took place in a few days, demonstrating the announced "Plug and Play" system feature.

The supply includes integrated navigation with certified X-band radar and electronic cartography, tourist cartography, Seastema conning display, certified log and echo sounder, AIS, DGPS, REG-Code class GMDSS communications.

Thanks to the high level of integration of all on-board subsystems, implemented through the development of a dedicated software package for the Superyacht world (SEASYAcht and GAM: Graphic Application Manager), the system is very user-friendly and with easy and quick accessibility to all ship functions.

In addition, the high level of integration of the electronics and the certification of the controls via Ethernet, have made it possible to free up volumes in wheel house, opening the view towards the bow and turning the wheel house into a bright and livable space, that reaches out to the sea and offers new design opportunities that were previously unthinkable.

Fincantieri unit, Pininfarina Nautical unveil helm station design

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 23 September 2021 23 September 2021

Pininfarina Nautical, the Italian design house’s division dedicated to nautical design, and Vard Electro a subsidiary of VARD, a Fincantieri company, present an innovative helm station for mega yachts and large working vessels, based on their SeaQ Integrated Bridge System.

The new helm station designed by Pininfarina for Vard Electro will be officially unveiled today at the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show, where it will be possible to live, in an immersive way, the sensations generated by experiencing the control cabin through the use of virtual reality and augmented reality technologies.

In the development of the new bridge system, Vard Electro has exploited the strong synergy effects within the Fincantieri group. By incorporating the group’s unique experience from the super yacht market, the new SeaQ Integrated Bridge has been carefully designed and developed with the operator in focus, ensuring an intuitive user interface and seamless integration with maritime systems.

Pininfarina has completely redesigned the user experience of the control cockpit, taking suggestions of aviation and sports car inspiration, combining a technical soul with the comfort of a lounge. The choice of taking care of the command area stems from the desire to give greater importance to the journey, both for those who drive the ship and for the spectators who want to enjoy the landscape from the control cabin.

The design of the helm station created by Pininfarina is characterized by suspended and aerodynamic shapes. The control seats seem to float in the air, while the central double-sided screen that divides the two driving positions is made of glass and is completely transparent when switched off, further emphasizing the sense of lightness. The technical island, highly technological, contrasts with the presence of an analogical element positioned under the screen, the compass, that embellishes the interior environment, creating a connection between past and future. Furthermore, the lines drawn by the Pininfarina's pencil are emphasized through the use of lights, that create a connection between the driving and the relaxation areas, giving shape to a unique environment.

“It is a pleasure to see our SeaQ Bridge product also integrate into a sleek and luxurious helm station, specifically designed by our Partner Pininfarina. I am sure that also captains sailing with awesome yachts will appreciate the benefit of our maker independent technology, able to integrate all the electronic bridge systems by an intuitive and human centric solution”, says Andrea Qualizza, CEO & General Manager at Vard Electro.

“We are delighted to have entered into this partnership with VARD Electro”, says Silvio Pietro Angori, Pininfarina CEO. “In the new helm station, our Nautical design team leveraged on its holistic competencies, from the user experience to the interior design. We are proud of the result: thanks to the blend of skills, we have delivered an innovative user experience of the control cockpit”.

Heineken launches 'Back to Sailing' support package to cruise lines

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 12 September 2021 12 September 2021

As the cruise industry returns to sailing and welcomes guests back to its on-board bars and restaurants, Heineken reveals how it is supporting its cruise-line partners with its ‘Back to Sailing’ Program including the key initiative ‘The first round is on us’, with free product donations of Heineken and Heineken 0.0 for cruise partners.

“Heineken’s ambition is to be the leading partner in the beer, cider and seltzer categories and we set out with the goal of helping our cruise-line partners maximise the revenue opportunity of the 2021 season.” explains Christian Klimpke, Global Account Manager Cruise Lines (photo above) of Heineken. “To celebrate the highly anticipated return to sailing we are supporting our partners in the most useful ways possible as they balance the dynamics of operating on-board bars and restaurants in the new era and to safely navigate health regulations. Our teams are doing all we can to help them implement new ways of working especially with hygiene and social distancing, while also creating the best possible atmosphere to ensure guests have all the fun and enjoyment of cruising that they have craved for so long.”

The program has several elements:

Adapting to the new bar experience: helping bars and restaurants to safely re-start after lockdown with health and safety focused education and training to ensure hygiene protocols in draught equipment, best practice in pouring, care of glassware, social distancing focused point of sale and signage, stock management and joint collaborations.

Portfolio Innovation: Heineken is tailoring vessel portfolios based on regional consumer insights, sharing re-start learnings from other markets and global beverage trends. Designed to help cruise-lines maximise the revenue opportunity, this approach also ensures they are equipped to communicate effectively with consumers on issues that Covid-19 had accelerated such as lo/no alcohol health-driven preferences and increased interest in sustainability.

Digital support: providing digital assets and product information from the Heineken portfolio for easy-to-use online drinks menus and guest engagement.

Crew engagement: developing concepts that educate, motivate and incentivise crew led by hosted events and competitions, enhancing their learning and training through Heineken’S dedicated e-learning platform to help them discover more about Heineken’S portfolio of beers and ciders, consumer trends and insights including Heineken’S ‘Enjoy Responsibly’ responsible consumption framework.

Langh Tech launches Ballast Water Management System

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 22 September 2021 22 September 2021

Langh Tech has launched its new ballast water management system. The in-house product development project was completed on a very fast schedule – in less than a year from first ideas to product launch.

“During autumn 2020 we started thinking that there might be a need for even more compact systems than the present ones on the market, so we decided to do one”, says Langh Tech Commercial Director Laura Langh-Lagerlöf. “We have feeder size vessels in our sister company Langh Ship’s fleet, and installing BWMS into the already fully packed engine rooms of these vessels seemed like a challenging task. Making our own compact units sounded like the most interesting and practical way forward, while of course also being challenging, but we like challenges”, Laura continues.

In addition to the compact size in its UV-C irradiation-based treatment unit, Langh Tech has paid special attention to the ease of operation and maintenance of the unit.

“Existing systems with cleaning-in-place solutions do after some time anyway need to be opened, and it is usually quite a job to start opening such a unit for manual cleaning. Here we took the opposite approach. We made the unit as easy as it ever can be for manual cleaning”, says Langh Tech Product Manager Kim Tervonen. “One crew member can pull out the lamps from the reactor and all lamps will slide out in a cassette from the UV reactor box.

The lamps can then very easily be cleaned by hand with a soft cloth. After cleaning the crew member simply pushes the cassette back into the UV reactor casing. Sometimes manual is just so beautiful and effective”, Kim continues. The automation interface is also highly optimized and extremely easy to use. The user needs to push only three buttons to start operating, the rest is done by the LanghBW automation, which is integrated with the automation system of the vessel.

Ballast water management systems are used to purify ships’ ballast water in order to prevent the unintended spread of invasive marine organisms from one marine habitat to other. The microbiological quality of discharged water is strictly controlled and all systems need to be type approved to ensure that sufficient treatment is applied.

Langh Tech will fulfil these requirements with a type-approved ballast water management system that includes fine filtration and effective UV-C irradiation treatment. The system is tailored for retrofit vessels, crowded spaces and extremely challenging operating conditions.

Langh Tech has already passed all the required land-based test for USCG and IMO approvals. The tests were done by DNV at the NIVA testing facility in Norway. The shipboard testing of the system is soon completed as well. It is carried out in Baltic Sea area which is, despite of its beauty and rich marine biota, unfortunately one of the most polluted and challenging marine environments in the world when it comes to ballast water treatment.

Manufacturing of the UV reactors takes place at the Langh Tech production facilities close to Turku in Finland. In the same facilities Langh Tech also manufactures the water treatment units for closed loop SOx scrubbers.

“At the moment we have available production capacity and can offer short delivery times for both SOx scrubber systems and BWMS”, says Laura.

Wärtsilä to supply engines, fuel gas supply system to Australian ropax newbuildings

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 11 August 2021 11 August 2021

The technology group Wärtsilä will supply the engines and fuel gas supply systems for two new Ro-Pax ferries. The vessels are being built at the Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) yard in Finland for TT-Line Company Pty Ltd, a renowned Australian ferry fleet owner and operator. The order with Wärtsilä was placed in June 2021.

TT-Line currently operates two ferries, Spirit of Tasmania I and Spirit of Tasmania II, both of which operate with Wärtsilä engines, on the route between Melbourne, Victoria and Devonport, Tasmania. This fleet is now being renewed by the building of two new 212 metre long vessels, which will adopt the latest technology and be powered with LNG fuel to lessen the environmental impact.

“Since 2002 when the current vessels were inducted into our fleet, the Wärtsilä engines have delivered both performance and reliability backed by strong service and technical support. Keeping in mind the IMO’s stringent emission targets for the future, TT Line has opted for LNG fuelled ferries. Wärtsilä’s depth of experience and broad portfolio of LNG-fuel solutions for marine applications were prime considerations for us,” says Bernard Dwyer, Chief Executive Officer of TT-Line.

“We have worked closely with TT-Line for a number of years and are pleased and proud to continue this long-standing relationship via this latest newbuild project. We shall extend our best technical and operational support to TT-Lines’ new ferries. Wärtsilä has played a major role in enabling LNG to become a viable and increasingly popular marine fuel, and its adoption by global operators continues to grow. This order is a clear reflection of that trend,” says Mikko Mannerkorpi, General Manager, Sales, Wärtsilä Marine Power.

“Our goal is to be a pioneer in environmentally sustainable technology in shipbuilding, and we want to provide vessels to our customers accordingly. The LNG-powered engines play an important part in building two new eco-efficient and future-proof vessels for TT-Line,” says Jyrki Heinimaa, President & CEO of Rauma Marine Constructions.

The scope of supply includes, for each ship, four Wärtsilä 46DF dual-fuel main engines, three Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel auxiliary engines, and two Wärtsilä LNGPac fuel storage, supply, and control systems. The engines are future-proofed to operate on alternative green fuels as and when the availability evolves.

The new ferries will have a capacity of 1800 passengers and approximately 2500 lane metres on two freight decks. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2023, with the second one due a year later.