Products & services

Danish company introduces Covid-19 killing robot

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 31 August 2020 31 August 2020

Business-as-usual is no longer applicable when discussing the future of the cruise industry. An economically sound, multi-leveled infection prevention concept has become the new norm for regaining passenger trust and cruise ship profitability.

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for changes in our approach to keep passengers safe; chemical cleaning, personal protection and social distancing are no longer considered sufficient. To cater for this emerging need, Green Instruments have partnered with Danish company UVD Robots, and is pleased to introduce the world’s first intelligent and fully self-driving UV-C disinfecting robot to the cruise ship industry.

The UVD Robot emits UV-C light at 360 degrees, making it capable of decontaminating both air and surfaces from the floor to the ceiling. As the only device clinically proven to disinfect while on the move, it covers large areas in the shortest of times. Currently deployed at hospitals around the world, protecting patients and healthcare workers from Covid-19, this robot will provide support your efforts in fighting the risk of an outbreak. As a cost-effective alternative to adding more manual labor, this robot is autonomous and performs an efficient UV-C disinfection process of any area on demand.

While the UVD Robot can be assigned to disinfect all desired areas, it is unrivalled in effective decontamination of large areas. Proven efficiency in areas of 500 square meters in less than 30 minutes – this combination of speed and efficiency translates into minimal disturbances for passengers. Typical areas of application include guest corridors, fitness facilities, restaurants and buffets, as well as high-risk areas such as medical centers and cabins used for quarantine or crew accommodation. The UVD Robot is already deployed at numerous airports, making seaports an obvious extension.

Scientifically proven to deal with ‘Superbugs’

The use of UV-C to combat resilient microorganisms is scientifically proven and endorsed as an effective measure of decontamination by CDC and WHO. As the decontamination process uses light, organisms both on surfaces and in the air are inactivated.

The UVD Robot was originally designed to deal with much more resistant and hardy superbugs than Covid-19 and as a result, the robot has been put through a grueling number of independent laboratory tests as well as local, country specific, medical microbiology validations at various hospitals. In fact, Covid-19 has proven especially easy to inactivate with UV-C light, and cell numbers in highly contaminated areas are quickly reduced by 99.99% - simply by the robot driving by.

A mature, award winning solution

The success of UVD Robots is based on 6 years of intensive research, design, development and testing by an industry leader and award-winning organization, in close cooperation with Odense University Hospital and the Danish Healthcare Sector.

The UVD Robot has received a string of prestigious awards. To mention a few;

– Recommended Solution from Mobile Robot Buyers Guide 2020

– Ranked on Robotics Business Review's annual list of the 50 most innovative robots to achieved commercial success in the past year

–Named “European Champion” in the development and commercialization of service robots for professionals (B2B) by Frost & Sullivan

Project Hygiea Covid-19 action plan welcomed on board cruise ship with Bureau Veritas approval

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 27 August 2020 27 August 2020

Three months after launch, Foreship’s Project Hygiea has been deployed on an undisclosed cruise ship in support of its return to market. Project Hygiea’s four-step Covid-19 passenger vessel response plan has been verified by classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) as in line with its comprehensive risk assessment strategy.

Project Hygiea aims to limit the presence, spread and potential impact of coronavirus and other pathogens on ships by way of four primary measures: interception, prevention, mitigation and evacuation. Once solutions have been identified to enable implementation on board and in port, engineering work begins. This is followed by installation, commissioning and finally, verification.

Following a verification process which included Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP) based on IEC International Standard 61882, Andreas Ullrich, Global Market Leader of Passenger Ships & Ferries, commented: “Bureau Veritas has a thorough risk assessment process based on stringent criteria. In these unprecedented times, our high standards are perhaps more important than ever in helping clients and stakeholders reduce risk and increase safety margins. We are pleased to report that Foreship’s Project Hygiea has fulfilled our requirements from a classification certification perspective to be able to provide a highly effective and important service to the cruise sector.”

Project Hygiea already fulfils latest IMO advice on restarting of cruise ship operations, which draws on guidance offered jointly by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Targeting EU/EEA flagged ships and any ships calling at EU/EEA ports, IMO Circular 4204/Add 26 offers minimum safety and sanitation protocols to protect passengers and crew from future outbreaks. It recommends tailor-made Covid-19 management plans based on comprehensive risk assessments of shipboard operations and third-party verification of any resulting modifications and changes to procedures.

“We launched Project Hygiea as a way of getting the cruise industry back on its feet, so to have our first success story just three months on brings us a great deal of satisfaction,” said Foreship Business Development Manager Mattias Jörgensen, a key figure in developing Hygiea. “Although we were always confident that the approach would meet surveyor requirements, having it verified by BV and seeing the first project through to completion will ensure that the high rate of enquiries continues.”

Jörgensen adds that this is only the start for Project Hygiea, explaining that since the initiative was announced in May, it has garnered significant interest from cruise and ferry operators worldwide. Foreship is also collaborating with other classification societies on various vessel projects, he says, and with their input, Hygiea will continue to evolve and support the sector in resuming services and rebuilding public trust.

Viking Crew commences crew management of Scenic Eclipse

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 25 August 2020 25 August 2020

Viking Crew, part of the Viking Maritime Group has been appointed as the Crew Manager of the discovery yacht Scenic Eclipse, commencing management from 19 August 2020.

Scenic Eclipse launched last year and is part of the wider Scenic Group. The appointment of Viking Crew as the crew manager further adds to their portfolio of international clients within the cruise and super yacht sectors of the industry.

Scenic Eclipse will make full use of Viking Crew’s services across Placement, Management and Deployment, as Viking Crew becomes responsible for the international Officers and Crew across Deck, Engine and Hotel. Scenic Eclipse will also utilise the facilities at the Maritime Skills Academy and will place cadets onboard through Chiltern Maritime, which are part of the Viking Maritime Group.

Operations Director of Viking Crew, Paul Rutterford commented "The appointment of the crew management contract with Scenic Eclipse is a further acknowledgement of the professionalism, knowledge and industry experience within Viking Crew."

Director of Marine Operations of Scenic Eclipse Captain James Griffiths commented "Our partnership will give Scenic Group access to Viking Maritime Group services and their unique experience with start-ups, expedition vessels and the ultra-luxury market."

Viking Crew will also be responsible for the crew management of the Emerald Azzurra and Scenic Eclipse II when they come into service in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

Group Managing Director of Viking Maritime Group Matthew Jaenicke added; "Partnering with Scenic Eclipse is further testament to Viking Crew sourcing and crew managing some of the best people in the industry for these ground -breaking vessels."

Viking Maritime Group is looking forward to a long and rewarding partnership with the Scenic Group.

Schottel wins repeat order to supply pump jets for Mystic newbuilds

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 27 August 2020 27 August 2020

German propulsion manufacturer Schottel has won a contract to supply state-of-the-art pump jets for five additional expedition cruise ships (with option to include a sixth) for Portuguese-based Mystic Cruises. Two pump jets – also known as hydro jets – will be installed aboard each of the 413-feet-long and 62-feet-wide luxury ships, under construction or on order at West Sea Viana Shipyard in Portugal. The five ships will sail under Mystic Cruises’ North America brand, Atlas Ocean Voyages. World Navigator, Atlas Ocean Voyages’ new ship to launch in July 2021, is the first ship under the new agreement to receive the state-of-the-art Schottel Pump Jets. For her inaugural year, World Navigator will sail all-inclusive, luxe-adventure expeditions in the Black, Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas, South America, and Antarctica.

Mário Ferreira, Chairman of Mystic Invest, the holding company of Mystic Cruises and Atlas Ocean Voyages, said: “Our goal is to build the cleanest, safest and quietest expedition ships that meet and exceed the strict requirements of the regions where our ships sail. We designed our cruise ships to ensure that we do our part to help sustain these unparalleled places for future generations to enjoy. These Schottel exclusive thrusters are perfect for bringing guests closer to more marine wildlife – safely and sustainably. We can stop our ships’ propellers and engage the pump jets to quietly cruise up to five knots in wildlife-rich waters and not frighten away the beautiful fish. Schottel’s Pump Jets are very effective aboard previous Mystic Cruises ships, and we have again opted for SCHOTTEL’s system for Atlas Ocean Voyages’ expedition ships.”

Low-noise jets for highest comfort on board

Each of the new expedition cruise vessels will be equipped with two electrically driven Schottel Pump Jets type SPJ 82 (335 kW each). The extremely compact SPJs are not only being installed flush with the hull of these new vessels, but also in a small recess, further protecting the propulsion unit. The elastic mounting leads to minimized noise and vibration levels. Pump jets diminish ship vibrations for guests’ comfort and minimize cavitation, which significantly decreases underwater noise. Sea life is highly sensitive to noise – which travels farther and louder in water – and tends to scatter when it hears noise caused by propeller cavitation.

LEACON sealing system

At the same time, the pump jets will be equipped with the patented and DNV-GL type-approved SCHOTTEL LEACON sealing system. This system ensures continuous leakage control of the seals and prevents water from entering the gearbox and, of even greater importance, oil from escaping into the seawater. Considered a non-oil-to-water interface, the system complies with the VGP regulations of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). LEACON further supports Atlas’ holistic environmental-friendly cruise approach.

Scanship books €24.2 million in orders in three months

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 17 August 2020 17 August 2020

Scanship AS, part of the listed Vow ASA group in Norway, said it has been awarded contracts with Fincantieri to deliver its state-of the-art cleantech systems for waste management, food waste processing and advanced wastewater purification on four vessels for MSC Cruises’ new luxury class vessels. The contract includes options for two additional vessels.

“We are excited to continue our cooperation with Fincantieri and MSC. Together we will ensure that these newbuilds will meet the highest environmental standards according to IMO Marpol and for special and environmentally sensitive areas such as Baltic Sea and Alaska State Waters. The contracts convey a strong message that the industry remains focused on the health of our oceans and that it is committed to long-term sustainable growth”, said CEO Henrik Badin.

“Since May, we have secured seven newbuild orders at a total value of €24.2 million with another five optional vessels with a total option value of €9.2 million”, Badin concluded.