Products & services

Harris CapRock to provide communications services to Carnival Corporation's fleet

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 16 October 2013 16 October 2013

Harris CapRock Communications, a premier global provider of managed communication solutions for remote and harsh environments, has signed a five-year contract with Carnival Corporation to provide communications services onboard more than 100 cruise ships in its 10 cruise line brands. The dual-band satellite communications solution will enable the Carnival brands to reach dramatically improved bandwidth levels to meet the performance expectations of guests and crew onboard.

"At Carnival, our most important goal is to give our guests a great experience. For many of our guests, this means staying connected by phone and Internet, even when they’re on our ships in the middle of the sea," said Richard Ames, senior vice president of business services, Carnival Corporation. "Providing connectivity has been an important part of the Carnival experience, and with today’s agreement, we look forward to continuing to provide our guests with a high level of connectivity. We know our guests get excited about creating great memories on our cruises, and if they can’t wait to get home to share photos and stories, we’re happy to make it possible for them to call, text, email and tweet from the middle of the ocean."

To meet Carnival’s needs, Harris will deploy a fully managed, end-to-end Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) solution utilizing the latest generation of iDirect technology, via a hybrid C- and Ku-band solution. Carnival will receive equipment, installation, maintenance, service and 24/7 proactive monitoring and support from Harris’ Customer Support Centers. Transition and installation work will occur globally in various ports, spanning across the United States, Bahamas, Europe, South America, Australia and Singapore.

Each ship will be equipped with stabilized antenna systems to provide the optimal level of flexibility and availability. Bandwidth levels will be higher than what was previously delivered to each fleet, which accommodates new service requirements set by Carnival for its guests and crew, as well as for new entertainment solutions across the 10 cruise line brands.

"This agreement solidifies Harris and Carnival’s long-lasting communications partnership and enables guests and crew onboard to connect with their friends, family and businesses – no matter where they are cruising around the world," said Tom Eaton, president, Harris CapRock. "By teaming with Harris as its communications partner, Carnival has the backing of an industry-leading business and global infrastructure that ensures we are here to meet their communication needs at all times, no matter where its ships are traveling."

Carnival’s 10 cruise line brands include AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises, P&O Cruises Australia, Princess Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line.

Harris CapRock Communications is a premier global provider of managed satellite and terrestrial communications solutions, specifically for remote and harsh environments including the maritime, energy and government markets. Harris CapRock owns and operates a robust global infrastructure that includes teleports on six continents, five 24/7 customer support centers, local presence in 23 countries, and more than 275 global field service personnel supporting customer locations across North America, Central and South America, Europe, West Africa and Asia Pacific.

MKN's FlexiChef wins international FCSI award

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 07 October 2013 07 October 2013

At the big international FCSI EAME (Europe, Africa, Middle East) meeting in Warsaw the MKN FlexiChef was awarded with the Manufacturer of the Year 2013 for distinguished development design. This important consultant award honors groundbraking designs as well as innovative solutions and people.

FCSI EAME president Martin Rahmann explains the decision of the judges: “Because of its flexibility, its numerous applications and its affect on overall kitchen design the FlexiChef is the most significant development in recent times.”

Further important criteria for the award of the prize were the numerous optimizing factors related to energy, capacity and cleaning.

The FlexiChef is equipped with the first automatic cleaning system for horizontal cooking technology.

SeaDream signs with Resco

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 25 September 2013 25 September 2013

SeaDream Yacht Club has reached an agreement with Rescompany to implement the complete suite of Resco's systems. The industry leading Resco central reservations, Resco CRS and the customer relation management module Resco CRM will be implemented at Seadream's Oslo headquarters in coming months. The deal also includes implementation of Resco's property management system solutions, Resco SMS and POS for on board the vessels.

Andreas Brynestad, CIO of SeaDream Yacht Club comments: "We have run an extensive evaluation process of the Resco suite of products and we see it as the perfect fit taking our operation to the next levels, in addition the reputation of Rescompany and its people is impressive."

"For us it is further confirmation our concept of complete systems offering is working. We look forward in assisting SeaDream Yacht Club to simplify and enhance processes at several levels of their operation, shore side and on the vessels. Providing our clients with a view and complete 360 degree customer profiling is key. We are excited to work with the team at SeaDream Yacht Club," says Peter Winqvist, Managing Director of Rescompany Systems.

Multi-award winning SeaDream Yacht Club owns and operates the 56-bedroom mega-yachts, SeaDream I & II. The word yachting in the company name is not just an expression about the boutique size of SeaDream I & II, however, more a reflection of the unique contemporary lifestyle aboard these ultra-luxury vessels. "It's yachting, not cruising" - Enjoy the Difference!

With just 56 sea-view bedrooms, all the luxury appointments you would expect of the most luxurious mega-yachts at sea and all the facilities of a state-of-the-art boutique resort, SeaDream I & II are perfect for exclusive use (charter) for business and for private and family events.

Wärtsilä introduces new thrusters

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 02 October 2013 02 October 2013

Wärtsilä, a leading solutions and services provide in the marine industry, says it has introduced a new series of both steerable and transverse thrusters that will further develop the current portfolio. The new Wärtsilä Steerable Thruster series (WST) is being introduced to replace the company's Modular Thruster and Compact Thruster series, while the new Wärtsilä Transverse Thruster series (WTT) is replacing the current range of transverse thrusters. The new products have been developed in response to changing market demands, requiring competitive thruster products which are more efficient and cover a wider power range.

This major product development project was launched by Wärtsilä's Propulsion R&D already in 2011. The latest insights in thruster design were implemented using state-of-the-art numerical simulation tools. The first product to enter the pilot phase is a 4500 kW under water (de)-mountable steerable thruster, the WST-45-U, which began its pilot phase in summer 2013. Two more products, the WST-14 and the WTT-11, are scheduled to begin their pilot phase before the end of this year. Wärtsilä will continue the introduction of different sizes of thrusters in the coming years based on market requirements and customer priorities.

The new thrusters are available for various types of vessel depending on the size and features of the product. For example, the WST-45-U is designed mainly for the offshore drilling market; the WST-14 is intended for tugs up to 45tBP, inland waterway vessels, and for river/sea going cargo ships. This thruster is compatible with both medium speed and high speed (1800 rpm) diesel engines. The WTT-11 is a 1100 kW tunnel thruster designed mainly for merchant cargo vessels.

The new WST and WTT units come with several added features, such as an increased power range, an 8° tilted propeller gearbox, and a new Wärtsilä Thruster Nozzle for the thrusters designed for offshore drilling. The new thrusters intended for tug boat applications also have the new nozzle, which improves performance and has a high level of system integration as well. The new tunnel thrusters are more compact and efficient than earlier versions.

"The marine sector is undergoing a period of significant change and technological advancement, and this next generation Wärtsilä thruster portfolio has been developed in line with these trends by utilizing the latest calculation tools and model testing to secure the hydrodynamic leadership of the products. The new products are even more efficient and reliable than earlier, as well as being lighter and easier to install," said Arto Lehtinen, Vice President Propulsion, Wärtsilä Ship Power, in a statement.

KONE to supply elevators for third Oasis

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 20 September 2013 20 September 2013

KONE has won an order to deliver its eco-efficient elevators and escalators for the Royal Caribbean International's latest Oasis-class cruise ship, a yet-to-be named vessel currently known "Oasis 3". She is the sister ship of the largest sailing cruise vessels in the world, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. The newest addition to the fleet is currently under construction by international shipbuilding group STX Europe in France.

KONE's order for Oasis 3 comprises 13 KONE MonoSpace elevators, 28 KONE MiniSpace elevators - including 12 scenic elevators - and two KONE EcoMaster escalators. Three easy access platforms will ensure efficient movement on-board for passengers with limited mobility. All the elevators will include energy-efficient features, such as regenerative drives that continuously supply energy back to the ship's power network during the breaking phase.

The two previous Oasis-class vessels, both of which were built by STX Europe in Finland, also feature KONE solutions. And like its sisters, Oasis 3 is expected to have the capacity to accommodate more than 6,000 people on-board, and offer luxury amenities, such as spas, an outdoor garden, fine dining, shopping, and sporting facilities.

"We are proud to continue and build on our successful relationship with STX Europe, and we are sure our people flow solutions will contribute to the smooth and efficient movement of the thousands of passengers and crew on-board at any given time," said Ari Winter, Head of Marine Business at KONE. "Marine elevators are among the most demanding to design. Our experience of working with STX Europe and providing solutions for the two older Oasis-class ships gave us the insight needed to understand the customer's needs and to find the best possible solutions for this extraordinary vessel."

Oasis 3 is expected to make its maiden voyage in 2016.

The order was booked into KONE's Q2 results.