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Trimline receives new owners

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 26 March 2021 26 March 2021

After 56 years in the industry and 30 years at the helm, Trimline Ltd.’s Directors Gary and Mike Oliver have stepped back from active duties within the company. Whilst they remain shareholders, Trimline’s current COO Ross Welham has joined forces with Nick Farrell in purchasing a majority share of Trimline Ltd and have become its Directors.

"Formed in 1965, Trimline recently celebrated its 56th year anniversary, and from small beginnings over the years it has grown to become one of the most respected marine interior outfitters in the world," the company said in a statement.

"With over 13 years’ experience within the marine interior outfitting industry, Ross Welham has been joined by new technology specialist Nick Farrell under the new structure. Supported by a strong senior management team, which together have more than 50 years’ experience at Trimline, the team looks forward to delivering quality marine refits for many years to come," it continued.

Mike Oliver said “Gary and I have been involved with Trimline since we were children and following our father’s retirement 30 years ago, we’ve been managing the business. We now feel it’s time for new leadership which brings a new skill set and we look forward to seeing where Ross, Nick and our brilliant team can take the business.”

“Ross has really proved himself since becoming COO. He has made many positive changes to the business and we feel we are leaving the business in safe hands.” Gary added.

Ross explained, “I’ve known Nick for many years and his skill set is a great asset to us in offering clients added value. We have a fabulous and experienced team who are passionate about delivering the highest quality service and as we emerge from this disrupted year, as a team we are all excited about the future of Trimline.”

Nick said, “I’ve spent the last 6 months getting to know the business with Ross, Mike, Gary and the team. Trimline has a fantastic reputation for quality and professionalism, built up over decades, and its name is held in high esteem across the industry. Maintaining our leading position in our niche is critical, and I plan to enhance our offerings even further with new technology and systems. The motivation for every member of the team here at Trimline is to build long term relationships with our customers based on mutual trust and transparency and deliver quality work for them each and every time. I can't wait to see where we can take the business over the next few years! “

Inmarsat report guides passenger ships towards IMO 2021 cyber risk management compliance

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 25 March 2021 25 March 2021

Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, has released a new, free of charge report covering new International Maritime Organization obligations and their implications for cruise ship and ferry professionals. The obligations enter into force next year and the report aims to support owners, managers and captains on compliance as they work to protect passenger ship cyber security.

Published by the Inmarsat Research Programme, Cyber Security requirements for IMO 2021 offers unique insights into Inmarsat’s cyber security experience and examples of real cyberattacks on vessels, providing cruise ship and ferry owners, managers, captains, engineers and technical officers with a guide to the criteria for compliance. By IMO resolution, passenger ship Safety Management Systems must be documented as including cyber risk management under the International Safety Management Code no later than the first annual audit after 1 January 2021.

The 40-page document highlights the way threats continue to adapt and evolve, reporting a fourfold increase in cyberattacks on maritime targets that coincides with the industry’s move to home-based working through the Covid-19 pandemic. It also provides a comprehensive explanation of the often misunderstood distinctions between anti-virus software and network endpoint security.

“As the passenger ship fleet heads towards a new regime on cyber security, this is a significant publication for anyone investigating the fast-evolving threats facing cruise vessels and ferries at sea,” said Peter Broadhurst, Senior Vice President, Safety, Security, Yachting and Passenger, Inmarsat Maritime. “Anyone wanting to know what the new IMO rules mean and, in Fleet Secure Endpoint, the viable solutions already available to support towards compliance can’t afford to miss Cyber Security requirements for IMO 2021.”

To deepen industry understanding of the new cyber security regime, the report summarises industry exposure to date, identifies the vessel-specific vulnerabilities that have driven regulators to act and explores the precedents from outside and inside the maritime sector for IMO rule development. The context provides a vital preamble to a clear and concise guide to IMO 2021 compliance and the steps required to identify, protect against, detect, respond to, recover from and report on cyberattacks aimed at passenger ships.

Inmarsat also provides guidance on Fleet Secure Endpoint (FSE), its cyber security protection, monitoring and reporting tool that can support cruise ship and ferry owners and managers towards compliance. Without additional hardware, FSE’s multi-layered network protection against phishing, spyware, botnets and more updates system status using software on end-user machines.

Once more providing context, Cyber Security requirements for IMO 2021 focuses on FSE as a critical component in Total IT Best Practice for compliance, rather than providing a compliance solution in its own right. It also highlights Inmarsat’s role as partner to Maritime Cyber Security Awareness training developed for Stapleton International by MLA College, which is also available to FSE users.

Albatros Expeditions reveals new ship achieves lowest Greenhouse Gases emissions per passenger

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 22 March 2021 22 March 2021

The Danish boutique expedition cruise operator Albatros Expeditions, part of Albatros Travel Group, recently announced that following the successful sea trials for the brand-new expedition cruise vessel, Ocean Victory, they are convinced the ship will deliver the lowest Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions per passenger in the industry.

The environmental performance is created by the unique features of the vessel. Hans Lagerweij, the company’s president, explains: “First of all, Ocean Victory has Tier III compliant engines, the cleanest engines in the world that limit the amount of nitrous oxides. Secondly, we only burn marine gas oil, which emits less CO2 per ton burned compared to a heavier bunker fuel. Thirdly, the patented and revolutionary Ulstein X-bow is fantastically efficient, especially with surf and in rougher seas. And lastly, Ocean Victory has a fully optimised compact design, providing comfortable space for 185 guests in only 104 metres length and just over 8000 gross tons."

According to Albatros Travel Group owner and founder, Søren Rasmussen, the ship uses 60% less energy. Rasmussen says “We look forward to the day when we can replace the last 40% with sustainable fuel."

Søren is proud Ocean Victory is further supporting the sustainable vision of Albatros Travel, and says: “We received our first sustainable travel award back in 1997, when most of the industry had no clue what sustainable travel meant, so of course we are always wanting to aim higher and find new solutions."

About Ocean Victory – Ocean Victory is 104 metres long, 18 metres wide, and features 93 large staterooms. The vessel is part of a brand-new generation of low-energy vessels and is of the highest Ice Class 1A, Polar Code 6. It has been built with Safe Return to Port, Dynamic Positioning and Zero Speed Stabilisers. The vessel showcases the X-Bow by Ulstein Design & Solutions. The interior design has Nordic touches as well as environmentally friendly amenities in all staterooms. The ship will be operated by Albatros Expeditions in Antarctica, with the first voyage scheduled for November of 2021. In the summer season, the ship is on charter to Victory Cruise Lines for operations in Alaska.

Ocean Victory will be joined by its sister ship, Ocean Albatros, in October 2022. Ocean Albatros will be operated by Albatros Expeditions year around in Antarctica and the Arctic and will also feature the innovative and unique ‘Remote Islands of The Mid Atlantic’ voyage.

ABB technology to support 'iconic' U.S. ferry’s move to hybrid-electric operations

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 10 March 2021 10 March 2021

Maine ferry operator Casco Bay Lines has committed to an integrated hybrid-electric power and propulsion solution from ABB for its new vessel, in a technology step change along one of the longest-established ferry routes in the United States

The new ferry is expected to cut up to 800 tons of carbon dioxide per year, significantly improving air quality in Portland, Maine.

The new 50-meter ferry will feature ABB Marine & Ports’ hybrid power, propulsion and a shore charging system, supporting diesel-electric and zero-emissions battery-powered modes, as well as a combination of both. With the ferry operating in zero-emission mode, the passengers will benefit from a smoother, cleaner and quieter ride.

In line with U.S. governmental commitments to reduce the environmental impact of public service transit systems nationwide, the ferry project has been partially funded by federal and state grants, with a 15-vehicle and 599-passenger capacity vessel to replace an existing diesel-powered ferry for the Portland–Peaks Island service along the coast of Maine.

“This contract is an important milestone for ABB Marine & Ports hybrid-electric propulsion in the U.S. ferry market,” said Bruce Strupp, Senior Account Manager, New Build, ABB Marine & Ports. “Momentum for lower carbon footprint ferry operations continues to grow worldwide, and ABB is honored that its integrated electric, digital and connected solutions are being considered integral as more and more U.S. operators replace obsolete vessels to match regulatory and societal demands.”

“Hundreds of thousands of passengers ride the Casco Bay Lines ferry between Portland and Peaks Island each year,” said Hank Berg, General Manager of Casco Bay Lines. “Increasingly, ferry passengers prioritize sustainability as a service expectation, in addition to reliability and comfort. The ability to switch to zero-emission battery power in port is also a clear environmental benefit for residents in Portland and Peaks Island. We look forward to a close collaboration with ABB and we can’t wait to see the end result.”

Within its integration, engineering, automation and equipment supply roles, ABB will deliver the award-winning Onboard DC Grid™ power distribution system to give full control over when and how the vessel uses its diesel generators, the 904-kWh battery energy storage system or a combination of the two to optimize energy consumption at any load. ABB is also supplying an automated shore charging system for installation at the Port of Portland, which automatically connects at the dock and will not require any additional port time to charge the vessel.

Smooth running, remote monitoring and predictive maintenance will be supported through the inclusion of the ABB Ability™ Remote Diagnostics System in the vessel.

Hybrid and electric solutions for ferries are on the rise, with over 130 battery-powered ferries already in operation and more than 90 on order, according to the Maritime Battery Forum. ABB’s complete, integrated solutions for hybrid and electric vessels are increasingly selected by ferry operators worldwide and in the U.S. Recent successes have included a fleet renewal project for Washington State Ferries, the largest ferry system in the country, while ABB also supplied power and propulsion package for the latest ‘Maid of the Mist’ Niagara Falls tour ferries – the first fully-electric vessels built in the U.S.

TDoS introduce low environmental impact trimaran yacht design

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 05 March 2021 05 March 2021

“Aegir 2.0 is designed to offer unparalleled luxury with the lowest possible environmental footprint,” says Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS) Partner and yacht director Daniel Nerhagen.

The trimaran hull was chosen to prevent heeling, contain a stable platform and provide more generous deck space compared to traditional sailing yachts. By combining excellent hydro-dynamics with a wind-electric hybrid propulsion system that re-charges the batteries when under sail, the Aegir 2.0 has a virtually infinite range.

With an infinity pool in the aft and a Jacuzzi in the fore, the pool deck becomes the main platform for recreation. The seamless indoor-to-outdoor transition is enhanced by the grand panoramic glass walls surrounding the lounge and dining area.

Offering guests an unobstructed sea view, the sky deck above is an open-air viewing platform with bar and lounge seating that adds to the unique outdoor experience. The exterior design is characterized by the black “wing” that connects the generous, extended open decks with the trimaran pontoons. The Scandinavian-style clean and sleek hull lines serve as a base for the grand DynaRig.

The interior of Aegir 2.0 is defined by the combination of functionality and attention to detail with pure Scandinavian minimalism. Subtle colours matched with organic and light natural materials enhance the elegance of the ship. Aegir provides spacious rooms with generous light openings, offering a perfect home-away-from-home world where guests enjoy life both ashore and at sea.