Products & services

YSA Design claims cruise ship first for Build Information Modelling

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 03 December 2019 03 December 2019

Leading cruise and luxury vessel designer YSA Design is close to completing what it believes is the first ever ship construction project to bring together everything from initial sketches to the sign-off tasks for utilities completion under one Building Information Modelling (BIM) process.

The project, for an undisclosed cruise owner, saw the Oslo-based designer using the 3D tool across the conception and execution of a complete ship newbuilding. BIM has become a significant part of land-based architecture in Norway, with its use now mandatory for those bidding for government projects, but YSA Design reckons to be the first to turn experience ashore into pioneering cruise ship build project.

Georg Piantino, Senior Architect, YSA Design says that the owner’s readiness to provide detailed information at an early stage enabled BIM to deliver accuracy and efficiency in calculation, but also uniform 3D modelling for all stakeholders through every phase of the project.

“The same 3D model is used by designers, shipbuilders, outfitters, plumbers and electricians,” he says. “Now, a virtual tour can take in everything from ‘big picture’ items such as cruise ship atriums to the fine detail of piping arrangements in awkward spaces. Right from the outset, even before steel-cutting or materials selection, collisions can be identified and colour-coded by severity so that the resolution process can begin.”

BIM is a significant upgrade compared to superimposing 2D drawings from utility contractors onto the main 3D model – a process that needs designers to zoom in to identify potential issues manually. Piantino says BIM using Autodesk-based Shipbuilding & Offshore Software Solution (including Lofting 3ds Max) allows all participants to keep the entirety of the ship in mind at every project stage. In addition to improved accuracy, 3D integration at the sketching stage enable simulated walk-throughs: decisions made on outfitting, materials and furnishing at an early stage ‘stick’ throughout the project, he says.

“It’s too early to put figures on it, but time and cost are saved from the outset and cost control is enhanced throughout. YSA Design has good knowledge of BIM but working through a shipbuilding project frame by frame in 3D, on interiors and exteriors, is a cruise industry first. In the process, we have refined our skillset and can offer BIM as a competitive edge for ship design or as a distinct third-party service.”

YSA Design has also led the way in using Virtual Reality as a ship design tool to envisage interior and exterior spaces in the digestible formats that help owners, builders and contractors better understand spaces in terms of volume, atmosphere, texture, lighting, etc. “In combination with Revit 3D software, VR makes it possible to see and ‘feel’ the space immediately, and to experience the impact that changes of atmosphere or materials can have before construction has begun,” Piantino comments.

Scanship wins Nautica AWP refit contract

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 21 November 2019 21 November 2019

Scanship Holding ASA through its subsidiary Scanship AS, has been awarded a retrofit contract by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

The contract is to deliver and install a Scanship advanced waste water purification (AWP) system on their Nautica vessel operated under their Oceania Cruises brand. The system will process all grey wastewater sources and black water to the industry highest environmental standard. This standard is specified as IMO Marpol MEPC 227 (64) with chapter 4.2 for special area Baltic Sea including phosphorus and nitrogen removal. The installation will be done during the spring of 2020.

"Today, nineteen cruise ships in the fleet of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings are equipped with Scanship AWP purifying its wastewater to the industry highest effluent standard worldwide. With this new contract, we are thrilled to continue delivering systems to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and supporting their commitment to cleaner oceans and sustainable seafaring”, says CEO Henrik Badin in a statement.

With this contract, Scanship AS will be enabling Norwegian Cruise Line Holding and its subsidiary Oceania Cruises to continue their efforts to enhance UN’s Sustainable Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Intercruises recategorises shore excursions in differentiation drive

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 08 November 2019 08 November 2019

Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services, an experienced global business offering ground handling and port operation services to the ocean and river cruise industry, is recategorising its shore excursion portfolio to strengthen product development focus worldwide on creating experiences customised to different cruise brands and their guests.

“The cruise industry is ever more diverse, both in terms of the cruise guest demographic and type of cruise vacation. Our new shorex categories are a reflection of this industry evolution and will enable us to better serve cruise lines and their guests,” Said Olga Piqueras, Intercruises Managing Director.

Intercruises product experts from around the world were involved during all stages of the category development in order to capture information on current and emerging trends from over 50 countries. Intercruises now has five main shorex categories: ‘Active and Adventure’; ‘History and Culture’; ‘Interests and Learning’; ‘Leisure and Well-Being’ and ‘Local Immersion’. The main categories are divided into 22 subcategories, such as ‘Local Insight’, ‘Great Outdoors’ and ‘VIP Access’.

Studio DADO debuts on the 2019 ‘Rising Giants’ List

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

Miami-based, boutique design firm Studio DADO debuts on Interior Design magazine’s ‘100 Rising Giants’ list for 2019, while also moving up from last year’s 58th place to 52nd, on the ‘Giants in Hospitality’ survey rankings. This recognition on a global platform – based on the prestigious magazine’s annual survey that ranks the largest hospitality design firms by design fees for a 12-month period – firmly establishes Studio DADO as the vanguard of hospitality design within the cruise ship industry.

The brainchild of partners Greg Walton, Javier Calle, Jorge Mesa, and Yohandel Ruiz, Studio DADO reflects their vast array of design skills and 60 years of cumulative experience in the cruise industry. Their magic – which sets them apart within the crowded design market – lies in their ability to create functional, luxurious spaces that leave a joyful imprint on people’s minds, while anchoring cruise ships brands to standards of unparalleled excellence and value.

“We’ve been blessed to have a strong community of people that have believed in us from day one,” says Studio DADO Founding Partner Jorge Mesa. “We were already on the Giants in Hospitality list but debuting on the 100 Rising Giants is a further validation of our creative designs and entrepreneurial spirit. Besides recognizing our work product and ethos, it allows our relatively small firm to continue on a path less trodden.”

As part of the research conducted for the Hospitality Giants ranking, Interior Design reports cruise ship business is booming with 30% of firms expecting work in this industry. Fees have skyrocketed from prior years from approximately $11million in fees to $38 million, noting “Firms are bullish: 18 percent say they're doing more work in this space than two years ago (half that amount said so last year) and 27 percent expect more work in 2020, double from previous years.” (Source: ID Magazine) Making Studio DADO perfectly poised to take advantage of this industry trends.

While explosive creativity is at the core of their emblematic designs, the partners are also experts at deciphering operational and revenue implications. From on-board restaurants and spas, to beautifully appointed staterooms, cabins, and lounges, the Studio DADO touch is cutting a wide swathe in the cruise industry. With noteworthy projects like the forthcoming debut of the Sky Suites on the all-new Sky Princess, Studio DADO works closely with their clients to create industry leading designs that create a unique experience for travelers.

Their success is reflected in their ever-increasing roster of upcoming projects, including Norwegian Cruise Line's new build, Encore; Carnival’s Mardi Gras, for which they’re designing the spa and fitness spaces, as well as the staterooms and suites; and Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 2020 luxurious new build, Seven Seas Splendor.

Wärtsilä’s single-source capability key to new vessels order

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 08 November 2019 08 November 2019

The Helsinki based technology group Wärtsilä’s industry-leading portfolio of products, systems and integrated solutions, which allows the company to be a single-source provider for shipbuilding projects, has resulted in a major order.

Two RoPax ferries being built at the Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) yard in China will feature a comprehensive package of Wärtsilä solutions. The order with Wärtsilä was placed in October 2019, and there are options for an additional two vessels.

The full scope of the order includes four Wärtsilä 46 main engines, four Wärtsilä 20 auxiliary engines, and two hybrid V-SOx exhaust gas cleaning systems for each vessel. The total order value amounts to around 30 million euros.

“This is a very significant contract that once again emphasises Wärtsilä’s leading position as a total solutions provider to the cruise and ferry sector. Efficiency and operational flexibility are the pillars on which we build our products, with customer value and environmental compliance always as primary goals. We have engine manufacturing facilities in China close to the yard, and this local support is another strength as we build global partnerships,” says Stefan Nysjö, Vice President, Marine Power Solutions, Wärtsilä Marine.