Products & services

VIKING acquires the fire safety division of Drew Marine

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 12 December 2019 12 December 2019

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment – the global safety solutions and service provider, announced its acquisition of Drew Marine’s Fire Safety and Rescue (FSR) division this month.

“Welcoming on board one of the top three marine fire service providers in the world, the acquisition is in alignment with VIKING’s long-running strategy to be the world’s leading one-stop solutions and service provider, and a trusted safety partner for the marine and offshore industry,” says VIKING CEO, Henrik Uhd Christensen.

This deal follows last year’s major acquisition of Norsafe, which saw VIKING achieve its status as a high-quality lifeboat, rescue boat and davit OEM, while boosting the company’s profile as a multi-brand lifeboat service provider.

Along the same lines, Drew Marine’s Fire Safety and Rescue division brings further strength to VIKING’s portfolio and boosts its industry leading profile as an end-to-end supplier of full-scope maritime safety solutions. More specifically, the acquisition is a significant boost to VIKING’s marine fire service capability base and global market presence within this field.

“In terms of competencies and services, the acquisition will provide customers with more advanced expertise and capabilities in marine fire services and dry-docking, as well as wider product choice and service flexibility,” says Christensen.

At the moment, Drew Marine FSR provides services in more than 150 ports across 45 countries. The division offers a complete range of FSR services, specializing in solutions for fixed-firefighting foam, fixed-extinguishing and dry-powder systems – along with calibration solutions for gas detection, medical oxygen, and dry-docking services. All these capabilities and not least the experience and know-how of the large team of Drew Marine FSR technicians, will transfer to the global VIKING MFS setup.

Following the acquisition, the Drew Marine FSR headquarters in Rotterdam will take on a new role as VIKING’s new global MFS competency center. This will be supported by a strong and ever growing network of MFS capable servicing stations worldwide.

Like VIKING, Drew Marine FSR operates using advanced digital planning software to streamline services and consistently meet customers’ needs. Now, customers will have access to a portal where they can view service history, budget and planning. Customers will also rest assured knowing that Drew Marine FSR holds approvals from the majority of established classification societies.

VIKING’s strategic decision to acquire Drew Marine’s FSR division will also advance the VIKING Shipowner Agreement concept, which allows vessel owners and operators to streamline and simplify all aspects of safety equipment compliance with a single global expert supplier.

VIKING and Drew Marine have been in dialogue about a potential acquisition of the Drew Marine FSR business since the summer of 2019. Drew Marine itself was procured by private equity firm Court Square Capital Partners (www.courtsquare.com) in late June 2019. In turn, Drew Marine’s new CEO, Frank Monteiro, set a new strategic direction for the company, focusing more explicitly on their core chemistry business and technical expertise. Consequently, the quest for a suitable partner to take ownership of Drew Marine’s FSR division began. In the process, it has been important to identify a partner that could be trusted to secure the business going forward, while taking good care of existing FSR customers and employees. The acquisition will see 50+ Drew Marine FSR staff at seven locations transferred to VIKING. The transaction will take place on January 2, 2020.

Scanship receives multi-series contracts at Chantiers de l' Atlantique in France

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 10 December 2019 10 December 2019

Scanship Holding ASA through its subsidiary Scanship AS, has been awarded multi cruise ship contract by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France delivering clean tech systems to four cruise vessels under construction at the shipyard in Saint Nazaire.

The multi ship contracts include advanced wastewater purification systems to the fourth ship in the Royal Caribbean's Oasis class of vessels, a total supply of advanced wastewater purification systems, foodwaste treatment, garbage handling and sludge processing for the fifth ship in the MSC Meraviglia Plus class of vessels, and garbage handling with sludge processing for the third and fourth vessels in the Celebrity Edge class of vessels. The Celebrity Cruises vessels will enter service in 2021 and 2022 while the RCCL and MSC vessels will enter service in 2023.

As part of the total order volume, Scanship will also deliver some additional equipment to the Celebrity Edge vessel in operation and to the Celebrity Apex vessel that will enter service in 2020.

There are also options for system deliveries to the fifth vessel in the Celebrity class and to the fifth vessel in the Oasis class planned to enter service in 2024 and 2025.

“We are very pleased with these contract awards and thrilled also to enter into the Celebrity Edge class of vessels that previously was not addressable for us. It’s truly a recognition of a successful long-term cooperation between Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Scanship supported by shipowners pushing for proven technology to enhance their environmental sustainability standards," says Scanship’s CEO Henrik Badin in a statement.

The accumulated order backlog for the Scanship Group is now at NOK 870 mill level with additional options at NOK 590 mill, in total NOK 1,46 billion.

COLUMBIA Cruise Services takes over the management of the SuperStar Libra

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 09 December 2019 09 December 2019

The cruise ship SuperStar Libra, belonging to the Genting Hong Kong, will have a new destination as a floating accommodation in Wismar on the MV Werften for shipyard workers and contractors from this month onwards.

COLUMBIA Cruise Services (CCS), the leading cruise ship management company in Germany, is honored to be awarded a very special role in this project: The Genting Group assigned the contract for the future hotel services, crewing and recruiting as well as the technical management of the cruise ship to the Hamburg-based company. As the dedicated manager and with a team of in total 116 hotel, deck and engine crew member, CCS will be in charge for the product delivery of the food and beverage services, the housekeeping, purchasing, logistics and the administrative services.

Olaf Groeger, Managing Director of CCS, is looking forward to the new cooperation with Genting Group and MV Werften: “For CCS, the hotel ship is an exciting new challenge. As a Germany-based company, we hope to be able to make a small contribution to the overall success of the Global-class” project.“

The residents of the SuperStar Libra are part of an unprecedented venture: Genting builds at least two luxury liners of the Global Class.

During the building period of the Global Class, the external contractors from all over Europe live on board the SuperStar Libra. Similar to a hotel, which is not open to the public, restaurants and bars are available. Additionally, from the coming year onwards, a lunch menu will be offered for payment to non-resident shipyard workers and contractors to relieve the local shipyard canteen.

Aboa Mare’s new course will train you how to survive in extremely cold circumstances

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 10 December 2019 10 December 2019

Maritime Academy and Training Center Aboa Mare in Turku in Finland and Academy of Professional Safety have agreed to cooperate on the Arctic Polar Code Survival Training.

Thanks to the cooperation, the Arctic Polar Code Survival Training course, organized by the Academy of Professional Safety, is added to the Aboa Mare course selection. The course is organized outdoors in Finnish Lapland in wintertime and its duration is 48-72 hours. The course objective is to learn how to survive 5 days without assistance in freezing -30°C temperature, for instance after a shipwreck.

The training takes place in Kittilä and participants are trained to survive in exceptional situations in extremely cold circumstances. Other course topics include using essential safety equipment and tools and helping and interacting with others. Another important training objective is to learn how to lead operations in exceptionally demanding circumstances. Also debriefing and analysing one’s own actions in different situations are a vital part of the course.

The course is in compliance with the Polar Code regulations that bind shipping companies and operators regarding the minimum requirements for personnel training on skills needed in arctic circumstances after potential ship evacuation.

Aboa Mare’s Training Director Micael Vuorio says about the new cooperation: "This cooperation is a good addition to our training portfolio and allows our customers to further develop their Arctic skills."

Nordic maritime companies to gather at Navigate 2020 in Turku next month

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 05 December 2019 05 December 2019

Finland’s largest maritime trade exhibition, NAVIGATE 2020 has announced increased participation from leading Finnish and Nordic companies and maritime professionals during its upcoming event on 22ndto 23rd January.

NAVIGATE 2020 brings together the shipowners and operators, the terminal operators and regulators, and importantly the next generation of industry into one room to collaborate and discuss the future challenges and opportunities.

The Intelligence Hunt 6 is the main event at the NaviGate2020 Maritime Trade Fair. The Final consists of presentations of professional maritime supply chain experts as Inspiring Speakers and from the Case Companies.

There is a growing demand for collaboration between all players and stakeholders of the maritime industry in order to embrace new developments and trends that will positively influence the shipping and maritime industry. It’s time to think afresh and outline the path for future growth.

“Our goal is to position NAVIGATE 2020 as this region’s landmark maritime event. This energetic event brings together leading stakeholders and students for two-days of interaction and collaboration,” says Marja Pekkanen, CEO, Turku Fair Center.

SeaFocus and Intelligence Hunt

The Finals of the IntelligenceHunt6 project will take place January 22nd at the NaviGate2020. The teams of inspired young next generation, students from European universities as well as their corporate supporters will pitch their ideas to the audience and an independent panel of experts, IntelligenceHunt6 Jury.

Ten student teams will show outstanding insight into tackling the current themes and challenges of the industry with fresh, out-of-the-box approaches.

SeaFocus is an executive maritime business platform highlighting key issues for the global maritime logistics and supply chain industry. The beauty of Intelligence Hunt is that it brings both the maritime supply chain related business and students, the industry’s potential future workforce, together.

“This is the only shipping and maritime industry endeavour that pairs innovative students with the industry´s corporations to find new solutions. At NAVIGATE 2020, companies and future employees will meet, interact and show each other what they offer,” says Markku Mylly, Senior Advisor, SeaFocus, Mentor of 3 student teams in Intelligence Hunt 6.

Influential industry names

NAVIGATE 2020 wants to drive the industry forward through highlighting professional logistical skills and expertise, marine operations, market knowledge and strong strategic alliances.

NAVIGATE 2020 will also hear top level speakers from across the region who have been working with student teams to identify and address some key bottlenecks transformed to opportunities in shipping and logistics as well as in port operations.

In an industry heavily focused on environmental and sustainability issues, there is a tendency to forget that customers – shippers, cargo owners and freight forwarders – also have their own environmental, sustainability and transparency demands, as well as, the ever-present commercial pressures. Thus Intelligence Hunt and Navigate 2020 engages specialists like Pekka Lettijeff, CEO, President Tylö Helo Group, Johan Elzes, BU Director Ahlers Trade Services, and Dr Professor Rolf Neise, to speak from the angle of the shippers, in the programme.

Shipowners are widely represented on stage. DFDS, Stena, Finnlines Grimaldi Group Company, Tallink Silja and ESL Shipping will present their views on where the business is going and what measures are needed to enhance the profitable sustainable growth of this industry in the future.

To see who all are on stage22nd January, please visit https://www.seafocus.fi/finals-programme-22-1-2020

Broad range of professional visitors

NAVIGATE 2020 expects to draw a diverse range of visitors from the maritime industry including logistics, subcontracting engineering, ports, shipyards, shipping companies, ship equipment suppliers and maritime universities.

“The main focus of the event will be digitalization, green shipping and marine industry and logistics. We expect NAVIGATE 2020 to be a leading networking, matchmaking event for industry operators looking to find commercial or development partners,” says Project Director Krista Ahonen, Turku Fair Center.

Finland is recognized globally for its innovation and sense of industry. Finland is also home to a growing number of innovative digital and sustainable collaborations that are reshaping its own society and industry as well as heavily influencing globally.