Products & services

Heineken launches new in-store presentation on the Viking Line's Cinderella

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 08 February 2017 08 February 2017

Viking Line & Heineken Global Duty Free have created a powerful new in-store presentation for the beer category on board Viking Line’s Cinderella. This new category concept showcases a diverse range of premium beers and ciders in an engaging and entertaining in-store experience, adding value to the shoppers’ journey by sharing the stories behind each of the featured brands.

Launched in mid-January shoppers can discover the key elements that make the range of beers and ciders so special. For example, they can learn about the Heineken family history and the unique contribution of Heineken A-Yeast. first created in 1886, and still essential to the much-loved taste of Heineken today.

Across the displayed craft beers portfolio, shoppers can use an interactive device, neatly integrated into the display shelf. The screen invites the shopper to pick up a bottle from the display to trigger the brand-specific video, revealing the background story and tasting notes for each brand, with a selection of appealing options from across the world, ranging from Lagunitas from California, to New Zealand’s Monteith’s and Newcastle Brown Ale from the UK.

Explaining the motivation behind this interactive innovation, Koos Vrijlandt, Sales Manager Global Duty Free Heineken, said: “Our research shows that shoppers are increasingly interested in the history and heritage of our brands and they are intrigued to discover beers from across the world. This interactive tool helps them to do just that.

“We have a powerful, innovative platform here on the Cinderella with a great portfolio, plus an in-store experience that engages, entertains and educates shoppers on the category. We are excited to share a vision with Viking Line that the future growth and performance potential of the beer category will be driven by shopper engagement experiences like this.”

The new beer category onboard Cinderella is the latest in a series of innovative activities driven by Heineken in the Cruise and Ferry sector. These include the introduction of the company’s Brewlock system, a one-way keg draught solution, first launched in the cruise and ferry industry, which delivers exceptional gains in both operational efficiency and the quality of the onboard serve. The Brewlock system, winner of the “Drinks Innovation of the Year” and “Supreme Champion” in the Drinks International Travel Retail Awards 2016, is available with Heineken, Heineken Light, Newcastle Brown Ale and Strongbow Apple Cider. The Brewlock system is now featured on key cruise and ferry ships, including Viking Line.

MKN Connect software is now available free of charge

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 08 February 2017 08 February 2017

With immediate effect, MKN customers can access the most current version of their software whenever they want for simple communication between appliance and PC. The MKN Connect software is now available to download free of charge on the company website, the company said in a statement.

With the MKN Connect software, FlexiCombi and FlexiChef appliance users can create and organize cooking programmes easily on a PC. HACCP data can also be conveniently managed using the software as it can be visualised, archived and printed simply with just a click. The Connect Software is suitable for all appliance sizes and data transfer is by means of a USB stick.

Customers can download the software on the MKN homepage in the Service & Support section: www.mkn.de/service-support/downloadbereich

Tevo develops 1 A Super, Polar Code 6 ice class compliant bronze propeller

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 01 February 2017 01 February 2017

Tevo Oy in Finland says it has developed a bronze propeller to meet Finnish-Swedish ice class 1 A Super or Polar Code 6 requirements as a cost effective alternative to steel propellers.

The company has carried out tests of the product in the Gulf of Bothnia, where pack ice banks up to seven metres and sea ice of 80 cm in thickness was encountered. The tests showed that the propeller cold exceed 1 A Super ice class load requirements.

The company said the propeller it has developed suits retrofits as well as newbuildings.

WE Tech Solutions wins order for its Energy Storage Solution package

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 02 February 2017 02 February 2017

WE Tech Solutions, a leading energy efficiency solution provider, has received an order for its Energy Storage Solution for a series of two 17,500 dwt chemical tankers, with an option for two more.

Ferry companies are actively looking for increased use of battery power for environmental reasons. Color Line, the Norwegian company, recently signed a letter of intent to build two 160 metre hybrid power vessels at Ulstein Verft in Norway.

The tankers are built for Bergen-based Norwegian shipowner Rederiet Stenersen AS by the Chinese shipyard Taizhou Kouan Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. Stenersen has also selected WE Tech to deliver the permanent magnet shaft generator solution to these new builds.

Flexible and cost-effective Lithium-ion battery based energy solution

WE Tech’s Energy Storage Solution is a remarkable step forward to save even more fuel. The battery based solution provides an energy reserve that is used for electrical load peak shaving as well as energy for black-out prevention. “We have seen increasing demand for Energy Storage Solutions in the marine industry. Our Lithium-ion battery based solution can easily be added to our other solutions. This makes vessel electric power generation even more efficient and cost-effective”, says Martin Andtfolk, Sales Manager of WE Tech.

“We see great advantages in using WE Tech’s Energy Storage Solution. It can be utilised as a spinning reserve to avoid black-out and to decrease the usage of generators on low load during maneuvering. It can be also used as peak shaving to avoid the unnecessary start of additional generator sets for short increase in loads. This would result in a more optimal running condition for the generator sets remaining online. Both situations create us savings from reduced generator running hours. Consequently, there is a reduction in fuel consumption and harmful emissions”, says John Stenersen, Director Ship Management at Rederiet Stenersen AS.

WE take customers’ energy efficiency to a new level

“At Stenersen, we take pride in being at the forefront of achieving the best energy efficiency in our segment. As far as we are aware, Stenersen is the first company to have installed such equipment on this type of vessels. We believe that energy storage solutions will contribute to a stronger market position of Stenersen through sustainable competitive advantage. This is a catalyst for other companies to commit to ‘greener technology’ for the future”, says John Stenersen. Stenersen appreciates the valuable guidance and support from Enova SF through the Norwegian Energy fund.

“WE Tech’s solutions provide better design flexibility and decrease operational expenditure. With our proven technology and reliable solutions, we take our customers’ vessels to the new level in terms of the best energy efficiency and the lowest fuel consumption. That’s what makes us a leading solution provider and change-maker in the market,” says Martin Andtfolk.

Wärtsilä and Tallink in five year maintenance agreement of new ropax ferry

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 26 January 2017 26 January 2017

Wärtsilä, the Finnish engineering group, said it has signed a five-year maintenance agreement with Estonia based AS Tallink Grupp for their new 49,000 gross ton ropax ferry Megastar on the Tallinn - Helsinki route across the Gulf of Finland.

“Megastar starts operation on 29 January 2017. The ferry is powered by Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines which operate primarily on liquefied natural gas (LNG), to meet the requirements of environmental legislation. Under the agreement Wärtsilä will optimise the vessel's performance, enhance its availability and reliability, and improve financial predictability for the customer. The service agreement also covers Wärtsilä's Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) and online remote support,” the cpmpany said in a statement.

The agreement includes maintenance and optimisation of the vessel's engines as well as the supply of spare parts and 24/7 online support. The full scope of Wärtsilä solutions onboard the M/S Megastar includes three 12-cylinder and two 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines, two Wärtsilä fixed pitch propellers and propeller shaft lines, the latest version of the Wärtsilä Nacos Platinum integrated navigation system and external communication facilities. The Wärtsilä Nacos Platinum system's unique combination of integrated voyage planning, monitoring and track control significantly eases the workload for ship navigators while improving navigational safety.

"We are very pleased to develop our partnership with AS Tallink Grupp further with this comprehensive maintenance agreement. With our expertise and tailored service offering, we can ensure that M/S Megastar operates safely and efficiently throughout the year," says Kari Koski-Tuuri, Director, Services Unit Baltic & Black Sea Wärtsilä.

Condition Based Maintenance optimises engine performance

The agreement also covers solutions from the Wärtsilä Genius services portfolio, which optimises operational efficiency. With CBM, Wärtsilä continuously monitors the condition of Megastar's dual-fuel engines, and carefully analyses the received data to determine service and maintenance needs. This ensures the optimal performance of the engines and reduces operating expenses.

In addition to CBM, Megastar will also have access to Wärtsilä's 24/7 online operational and technical support. With this service, Wärtsilä can remotely provide support whenever and wherever needed.

"We are happy to continue our cooperation with Wärtsilä, as their comprehensive and customised service offering met all our maintenance needs. Wärtsilä as a maintenance partner ensures that all maintenance is conducted in the highest standards of quality, safety and reliability," says Tarvi-Carlos Tuulik, Head of Ship management of AS Tallink Grupp. "The predictability of maintenance costs helps us to optimise our operations and the availability of instant online support increases the vessel's availability. With continuous monitoring and condition based maintenance, our passengers can enjoy their voyage without any unexpected interruptions."