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Damen Shiprepair Brest achieves milestone in green cruise ships refits

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 03 November 2025 03 November 2025

Damen Shiprepair Brest has just marked the conclusion of its 50th cruise ship project since becoming part of the Damen Shipyards Group in 2012. Over the past years, the yard has been using its facilities, knowledge and extensive experience of the cruise sector to advance efficiency and sustainable performance.

"Damen Shipyards is taking a clear leadership role in driving the global transformation toward sustainable maritime solutions. With the ambition to become the world’s most sustainable and connected maritime solutions provider, Damen is implementing innovative approaches across its worldwide operations," the company said in a statement.

This commitment is especially evident in the ship repair and refit sector, where Damen Shiprepair Brest is fulfilling its role, supporting and servicing its clients with advanced, environmentally responsible solutions. The Brest yard, home to one of Europe’s largest docks and strategically located near the English Channel, is at the forefront of sustainable change delivering green refits for cruise ships. Through its work, the yard enables customers to benefit from enhanced efficiency, reduced emissions, and extended vessel lifespans, actively shaping the future of sustainable shipping.

Recently, Damen Shiprepair Brest has completed such a refit on the 340-metre Disney Fantasy – its fiftieth cruise project in the last ten years. The project follows one with a similar scope undertaken by the yard to sister vessel Disney Dream last year.

In its execution of projects such as these, the yard has developed a strong track record in preparing cruise vessels for more sustainable operations. Work has included installation of increasingly efficient propulsion and manoeuvring systems, application of biocide-free silicon paint systems, and even the in-house fabrication of bulbous bows of 160 tons to reduce resistance in the water, thereby lowering fuel consumption and emissions.

Well placed to serve the sector

The yard is well placed to serve the cruise sector, both geographically and in terms of its high standard facilities. One of its primary assets is its drydock number 3 at 420 x 80 metres. In addition, it has in place a team of over 180 personnel well-versed in undertaking complex, large-scale and logistically challenging projects.

Damen Shiprepair Brest also enjoys long-standing relationships with numerous suppliers and co-workers. This includes MEYER Group member Meyer RE, with which Damen Shiprepair has developed a long-standing cooperation for the express purpose of increasing cruise ship efficiency. The yard’s success in serving the cruise industry is perhaps best demonstrated by the long-term relationships it enjoys with its clients.

Strength in collaboration

Damen Shiprepair Brest Commercial Director Ronan Scolan said, “Our ability to deliver these ambitious vessel transformations comes from the skill of our personnel, our on-site facilities and the strength of our collaborations. Loyal customers such as Disney Cruise Line – and many others – have trusted us with 50 cruise vessel projects over the past decade. Our collaboration with Meyer RE, with whom we work hand-in-hand on complex engineering projects, and with our strong network of local subcontractors with whom we’ve built long-lasting partnerships, are also an important part of our success. This collective expertise is what truly drives us forward and enables us to support the maritime industry’s transition towards greater sustainability.”

RMC is part of the in­ter­na­tio­nal team led by Bol­lin­ger to build six U.S. Coast Guard Arc­tic Se­cu­ri­ty Cut­ters

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 15 October 2025 15 October 2025

At a White House event on October 9, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that Bollinger Shipyards, in partnership with Rauma Marine Constructions (Rauma), Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan), and Aker Arctic Technology Inc. (Aker Arctic), has been selected for the design and construction of six Arctic Security Cutters (ASC). The Bollinger-led team will leverage the mature and production-ready Multi-Purpose Icebreaker (MPI) design, developed by Seaspan and Aker Arctic for allied missions in extreme polar environments.

“Today’s award is a testament to President Trump’s leadership and his historic investment in America’s maritime industrial base,” said Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “We appreciate the trust President Trump has placed in the skilled men and women of Bollinger Shipyards and stand ready to begin construction on these critical vessels on day one. The Arctic Security Cutter will enable the United States to rapidly project American power, enforce our sovereignty, and reassert American dominance in the Arctic.”

Bollinger and its partners will be responsible for the construction of six state-of-the-art icebreakers. The first three vessels will be built simultaneously by Rauma in Finland and Bollinger in the United States, with production of the remaining three vessels to be built in the United States. Delivery of the first three vessels is expected within 36 months of the contract award.

“The United States Coast Guard is placing its trust in Rauma Marine Constructions’ proven shipbuilding capability. With a hot production line and our ice-class experience, we are ready to deliver the Arctic Security Cutters on an accelerated timeline in close cooperation with our U.S. partner and allied industry. Together, we will provide the Coast Guard with the world’s most capable Arctic security vessels,” said Mika Nieminen, CEO of Rauma Marine Constructions.

The award delivers on President Trump’s and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s calls to rebuild U.S. polar capacity, strengthen the industrial base, and secure long-term American presence in the Arctic.

“Thanks to President Trump, this historic Memorandum of Understanding is a great win for our state that further cements Southeast Louisiana as a leader in America’s domestic shipbuilding industry,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA). “I am proud to represent the only shipbuilder in the United States in Bollinger Shipyards that has the capability, capacity and expertise to begin construction on these critical vessels on day one that will project American power and dominance in the Arctic.”

The Seaspan-Aker MPI design has already undergone significant engineering, testing, and integration work, enabling the team to proceed immediately to production. The partnership structure ensures speed to delivery, cost certainty, and seamless interoperability with the Canadian Coast Guard.

“Seaspan is extremely proud to work hand in hand with our American and Finnish partners, Bollinger, Aker and Rauma, to provide the U.S. Coast Guard with a state-of-the-art icebreaker design that is mission ready for extreme ice conditions and will fortify and strengthen Arctic security” says John McCarthy, CEO Seaspan Shipyards. “This contract award demonstrates Seaspan’s world-class marine engineering and design capabilities on the global stage, and further expands North America’s capacity to design, build, and export Arctic-going vessels.”

“Aker Arctic is honored to bring our proven icebreaker expertise to this partnership. The ASC program is a milestone for allied Arctic collaboration, and we are proud to help deliver world-class capability for the U.S. Coast Guard” said Mika Hovilainen, CEO of Aker Arctic.

Under the ICE Pact trilateral framework between the United States, Canada, and Finland, this program represents a model for allied industrial collaboration. The parallel construction of the first three vessels at Rauma and Bollinger will rapidly accelerate early delivery while ensuring a stable foundation for full domestic production in the United States. Bollinger will assume full program leadership for U.S.-based construction and long-term sustainment.

With the ability to break four feet of ice, travel 12,000 nautical miles, and operate for over 60 days, the ASC is purpose-built to support the evolving mission needs of the U.S. Coast Guard in the harshest conditions. Additionally, its shared multi-mission design with the Canadian Coast Guard fleet will create the largest class of icebreaking capability in the world, optimizing interoperability and maintenance support. The ASC fleet will enable year-round access to polar regions for national defense, maritime sovereignty, scientific research, and search and rescue operations. With this new class of vessels, the United States takes a major step forward in asserting leadership in the Arctic.

In addition to the Bollinger-led team, Canada’s Davie Shipyards will also contribute to the ASC program by building a separate class of vessels on their fourth-generation Multi-Purpose Polar Support Ship (MPPS) design.

Aker Arctic Technology is part of international consortium delivering six Arctic Security Cutters for U.S. Coast Guard

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 13 October 2025 13 October 2025

Aker Arctic Technology is the design partner for Bollinger-led international consortium which White House chose to build six U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutters at two different shipyards.

"We thank President Trump and President Stubb for the hard and dedicated work to make sure U.S. Coast Guard will get the best icebreakers ever done to support decades to come the needs of United States of America. The dedicated work of several parties has made this fast development possible and the competence to find solutions is leading to process where the first and repeated icebreakers will be delivered in record fast time," the company said in the statement.

The meeting of the Presidents on October 9th, 2025, at White House also marked a significant milestone in Aker Arctic Technology’s strategy to support the U.S. Coast Guard programs to expand fast the icebreaker fleet. In addition to our consortium partners, we are dedicated to support now and in the future U.S Coast Guard and U.S. Navy to improve their capabilities to operate in icing waters and the trust to rely on Aker Arctic concept design capabilities in the Arctic Security Cutter program is a strong sign on that.

Aker Arctic is proud to be the provider of the design which USA will rely on decades to come. Having the design knowhow of the original concept as part of the consortium formed by leading icebreaker engineering and manufacturing companies from USA, Finland and Canada ensures the special purpose vessels can be built in time and on budget at multiple shipyards all leaning on their local strengths and capabilities. The six Arctic Security Cutters will be built based on the same design made for the sixteen Canadian Coast Guard Multi-Purpose Icebreakers (MPI) that will be built at Seaspan in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

The consortium was formed in summer 2025 to respond to U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutter program. The consortium is led by Bollinger Shipyards from Louisiana, United States and the other participants are Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards from North Vancouver, Canada and Rauma Marine Constructions from Rauma, Finland. Seaspan is providing a mature ready-to-build icebreaker design developed together with Aker Arctic for construction by Bollinger Shipyards in the United States and Rauma Marine Constructions in Finland.

Bolideck Future Teak Signature Premium delivers full deck on authenticity

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 12 October 2025 12 October 2025

In the 20 years since its market launch, Bolideck Future Teak has established itself as the market-leading synthetic alternative to natural teak - a wood that remains as durable and elegant as ever, but whose use at scale is no longer sustainable.

Over two decades, demand for Future Teak has grown with the cruise industry, serving its increasing focus on sustainable materials while delivering the aesthetics of the real thing, new standard of performance at a fraction of the weight.

But maintaining market leadership demands responsiveness to evolving expectations. Accordingly, the recently launched Bolideck Future Teak Signature Premium raises the bar on authenticity even higher. The new solution still saves weight – and trees – compared to real teak decking, but it also achieves a more natural look and feel than the original Future Teak.

Work on the Signature line began when Accor Group luxury travel brand Orient Express approached Bolidt seeking the ideal decking system for the forthcoming Orient Express Corinthian, which is due to enter service in 2026 as the largest sailing yacht in the world. For a vessel offering the ultimate in luxury cruising, Orient Express and shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique envisaged a product that would match the functionality and environmental benefits of Future Teak while achieving an even closer resemblance to real teak wood.

When Bolidt unveiled its latest innovation at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami in April 2025, six out of 10 invited to inspect the product mistook it for genuine teak. So close is the solution’s resemblance to the real thing that Bolidt expects Captains of vessels fitted with the premium decking system to receive complaints about having too much wood on board.

Alongside its greater authenticity, Signature Premium offers improved colour stability than its predecessor and greater resistance to the fading effects of prolonged UV exposure. The addition of a new pigment also means that the reimagined decking system is 10–12 °C cooler than real teak, making it more comfortable for guests to walk barefoot on deck in warm, sunny weather.

In addition. Bolideck Future Teak Signature Premium maintains its natural appearance when wet, and given the teak effect runs all the way through the material, it can be sanded multiple times without losing its A-grade look and feel.
Applied thinking

In a research and development initiative carried out over 18 months, Bolidt also devised and refined a controlled application technique to produce the A-grade teak effect from a unique blend of colours. It identified the right tools to facilitate precise pouring and achieved the desired technical characteristics through rigorous testing at various temperatures. Maintaining constant dialogue with its project partners, it shared samples for approval before producing a series of mock-ups in house and at the shipyard.

One challenge came when Chantiers de l’Atlantique requested irregular shapes in the decking design. To maintain Signature Premium’s intricate aesthetics across acute angles and curves, the material must be poured in a way that ensures precise alignment with the cutting pattern. The special methods and new tools were introduced to create different curves in both small and large spaces, and their application require technicians to undertake comprehensive training sessions covering mixing, pouring, and cutting processes.

Other developments have also been taken on board that benefit condition and longevity. Thanks to the application of Bolidt Sealer X, a new transparent protective layer featuring hydro- and oleophobic properties, Signature Premium is easy to clean, and stains are less visible. By enhancing contrast, Sealer X immediately reveals the material’s natural colour, speeding up a process that would otherwise involve several rounds of cleaning and sustained exposure to sea water and sunlight to ensure readiness from installation.

Hard work pays off

For Bolidt, the hard work is already paying off. With installation on board Corinthian due for completion by the end of 2025, Signature Premium is turning heads throughout the cruise and yachting industries, while ferry companies are also showing strong interest in the new system.

Even at this early stage, Bolidt is exploring next steps in the product’s development. The potential integration of energy-generation and sensor technologies promises environmental and commercial benefits for cruise and ferry operators. Meanwhile, LEDs could offer aesthetic and practical advantages, with adjustable lighting acting as both a mood setter in hospitality venues and a flexible line marker for sports courts and running tracks.

Bolidt is also looking to exploit Signature Premium’s inherent effectiveness as an insulator to develop a heating solution for use on cold-climate voyages. By integrating a wiring system, the company would give operators the power to heat or cool their decks at will to account for local climate, season, and time of day.

Already, however, the company considers the launch of Bolideck Future Teak Signature Premium as signalling a new era for passenger ship decking – one where owners need no longer feel there is a trade-off between high-end style and environmental preservation. In addition to ticking both of boxes, Signature Premium provides a blank canvas for further innovation, which Bolidt intends to take full advantage of in the years to come.

By Gerben Smit, Operations Director, Bolidt