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Wärtsilä and Margaritaville at Sea sign a long-term Lifecycle Agreement

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 10 April 2026 10 April 2026

Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a ten-year Lifecycle Agreement with Margaritaville at Sea, reinforcing the cruise line’s continued investment in high standards of maintenance, operational reliability, and performance across its growing fleet. The agreement covers the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise and Margaritaville at Sea Islander, both currently in service, as well as the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber, scheduled to enter service later this year. The agreements for the first two vessels were booked by Wärtsilä in Q1 2026, with the third vessel to follow within the year.

Margaritaville at Sea is recognised for maintaining exceptionally high technical standards, with a strong focus on proactive maintenance, engineering excellence, and continuous optimisation of vessel performance. This agreement further enhances these capabilities through structured lifecycle planning and advanced technical support.

“This agreement reflects our ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards across our fleet,” says Minas Miliaras, Chief Maritime Officer (CMO), Margaritaville at Sea. “Our vessels are operated and maintained with a strong focus on reliability, efficiency, and performance. By working closely with Wärtsilä, we are strengthening our ability to deliver consistent, high-quality operations while continuing to optimise performance and long-term asset value.”

The agreement includes comprehensive lifecycle planning, long-term maintenance support, and technical services tailored to each vessel’s operational profile. These services are designed to enhance reliability, optimise maintenance intervals, and support efficient operations across the fleet. In addition, the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber will benefit from Wärtsilä’s advanced Expert Insight digital solution, enabling real-time monitoring and predictive analytics to further enhance performance and operational efficiency.

“Our Lifecycle Agreements are designed to support customers who prioritise operational excellence and reliability,” comments Andrea Morgante, Vice President, Performance Services, Wärtsilä Marine. “Margaritaville at Sea has demonstrated a strong commitment to maintaining high-performing vessels, and we are proud to support their continued growth and operational success.”

This partnership supports Margaritaville at Sea’s broader strategy of investing in high-quality operations, efficiency improvements, and long-term fleet reliability, ensuring a consistent and seamless experience for guests while maintaining strong operational performance.

Anglo-Eastern supports Four Seasons Yachts’ successful entry into the ultra-yacht sector

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 09 April 2026 09 April 2026

Four Seasons I, a 95-suite yacht that announced Four Seasons’ entry into the ultra-luxury yacht segment, has successfully completed its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean, supported by Anglo Eastern Cruise Management Inc. (AECMI) as its technical ship management partner.

AECMI’s involvement began during the newbuilding phase at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard in 2024 and now includes technical management, safety and regulatory compliance, and crew recruitment and training customised to meet Four Seasons hospitality standards. Shoreside support covers fuel procurement, emissions‑related compliance, itinerary and port support, medical coordination and voyage security monitoring, with new technology being introduced to facilitate 24/7 coverage to maximise guest safety as the yacht sails through some of the world’s most exclusive destinations.

Neil McNeil, Managing Director, AECMI, said: “From the outset, close cooperation with Malta Flag (Transport Malta), the shipowner and the classification society was essential. The yacht’s highly customised design called for tailored operating procedures to ensure tender operations for limousines, side shell doors and floating marinas, and onboard water sports could be introduced safely and seamlessly. This is further backed by a bespoke Safety Management System.”

Through its role as ship manager, AECMI continues to deliver on its commitment to its clients by translating complex vessel capabilities and brand aspirations into safe, reliable, and well-managed operations at sea.

Steerprop and Aboa Mare enter cooperation agreement on simulator-based propulsion training

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 01 April 2026 01 April 2026

Finnish marine propulsion expert Steerprop and Aboa Mare, a leading maritime training and simulation centre, have entered into a cooperation agreement covering simulator-based training services for vessels equipped with Steerprop propulsion systems.

Under the agreement, Steerprop will be able to order tailored simulator training from Aboa Mare for its customers. The training programmes are designed to support the safe and efficient operation of vessels fitted with Steerprop propulsion equipment, across a range of operating conditions and vessel types.

The services consist of simulator-based courses organised together with Aboa Mare, focusing on vessel handling, manoeuvring and operational decision-making using propulsion systems supplied by Steerprop. The detailed scope and content of each training programme will be defined jointly by the parties on a case-by-case basis, based on the customer’s vessel type, operating profile and operational requirements.

Aboa Mare is an internationally recognised maritime competence centre based in Turku, Finland, specialising in advanced training, simulation, research and development for the maritime industry. The centre provides realistic, full-mission simulator environments for shiphandling, engine room operations and integrated bridge systems, supporting both seafarers and maritime organisations worldwide.

The cooperation strengthens Steerprop’s offering by combining propulsion technology with practical, experience-based training. For shipowners and operators, the collaboration provides an opportunity to improve operational safety, performance and energy efficiency by ensuring that crews are fully familiar with the behaviour and capabilities of their propulsion systems in real-world scenarios.

Simulator-based training is particularly valuable for vessels operating in demanding environments, such as in ice operations, where precise manoeuvring, high availability and correct system use are critical. By integrating propulsion-specific training into its customer support offering, Steerprop aims to support long-term operational performance and lifecycle value for its customers.

“Modern azimuth propulsion systems offer significant performance and efficiency benefits, but real value is achieved only when crews fully understand how the systems behave in different operating conditions. Through our cooperation with Aboa Mare, we can offer customers targeted simulator training that supports safe operations, optimised performance and long-term reliability,” said Tom Ekegren, Director of Arctic & Naval Segments, Steerprop.

“Through simulator training reflecting real operating scenarios and unique equipment characteristics, we can help crews build competence and confidence before they face challenging situations at sea,” said Thomas Friis, Training Director, Aboa Mare.

Armada Technologies signs order with TUI Cruises for installation of air lubrication system

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 10 February 2026 10 February 2026

Armada Technologies, a provider of next-generation air lubrication systems (ALS), has signed an agreement with TUI Cruises to install its Passive Air Lubrication System (PALS) on the cruise ship Mein Schiff 6. TUI Cruises is a joint venture of TUI Group and Royal Caribbean Group.

Mein Schiff 6 was built in 2017 with a gross tonnage of 98,785 and capacity for 2,534 passengers across 15 decks.

The system will be installed by Q1 2027 when the vessel is expected to dry dock in Singapore. Through the deal, Armada will help TUI Cruises advance its decarbonisation goals and improve operational efficiency.

TUI Cruises will utilise Armada’s second-generation PALS, which functions without the need for air compressors. Using the vessel’s forward motion and surrounding water flow, PALS generates a fine air-water mixture that reduces hull resistance, maintains efficiency even in rough conditions, and minimises auxiliary power use. The system also offers a broader operating range than conventional ALS, delivering consistent performance across different speeds, drafts, and sea states.

Adoption of Armada’s technology onboard the cruise vessel will result in enhanced fuel efficiency, reduced GHG emissions and support compliance with the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) certification and Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) ratings. It will also lower lifetime operating costs, compared to other ALS with reduced inspections and service needs.

Armada Technologies has pursued comprehensive independent verification of its technology’s performance across a wide, variable range of operational conditions. This includes cavitation tunnel testing, model tank testing on two distinct hull forms, and extensive collaborative research with Liverpool John Moores University's Global Centre for Maritime Innovation. Additionally, the first installation of PALS on the LNG carrier Kool Husky is undergoing a DNV-led long-term independent evaluation program at sea. This testing phase is designed to accumulate performance data across a wide range of operational conditions, including various speeds, drafts, and sea states. Furthermore, PALS has received design and installation approvals from RINA, DNV and ABS.

Speaking on the announcement, Alex Routledge, CEO of Armada Technologies, said: “We’re proud to be partnering with TUI Cruises, one of the industry’s most forward-thinking operators, to deliver tangible efficiency and sustainability gains. This agreement reflects growing confidence in PALS and its proven ability to deliver real performance improvements at sea.”

Christian Lerche, Director Fleet Operations & Health at TUI Cruises, added: “Our path to net zero requires working with partners who share our focus on practical, scalable innovation. Armada’s PALS offers a compelling opportunity to enhance vessel efficiency and reduce emissions, and we’re pleased to be taking this important step together onboard one of our vessels.”

Evac and Carnival Corporation sign global service contract for preventive maintenance of Evac systems

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 05 February 2026 05 February 2026

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise company, has signed a new global service contract with Evac Group for preventive annual maintenance and lifecycle services covering Evac systems installed across the company’s eight cruise lines.

The agreement follows a proactive, fleet-level approach extending the lifetime of Evac systems and improving reliability, efficiency and cost predictability. By planning maintenance in advance, harmonizing ways of working across cruise lines and including onboard crew training during annual visits, the service agreement aims to reduce the risk of unplanned outages and support Carnival Corporation’s decarbonization efforts.

“This agreement marks an important step in our strategy to safeguard the performance of our environmental systems while driving efficient operations,” says Vera Lannek, VP, Sourcing & Machinery Lifecycle Management, Carnival Corporation & plc. “By partnering with Evac as the original equipment supplier, we can leverage technology for a more proactive fleet-level approach that supports our operational& decarbonization objectives efficiently and also helps ensure a smoother, more reliable onboard experience for our guests by reducing the chance of system-related disruptions.”

With this proactive approach, Evac demonstrates its commitment to advancing a future with nothing to waste by helping cruise operators improve the performance, efficiency and sustainability of their onboard environmental systems through advanced maintenance concepts and services.

“We are proud to strengthen our long-standing cooperation with Carnival Corporation through this global service contract,” says Kourtney Dever, Head of Cruise Service North America, Evac Group. “By combining proactive annual maintenance, predefined spare part kits, onboard crew training, and fleet-wide health checks, we can help Carnival Corporation enhance reliability, predictability, and efficiency across the fleet.”