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Heineken commemorative can for the cruise sector celebrates sail 2025

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 20 March 2025 20 March 2025

Heineken is launching two commemorative limited edition collectors’ can designs to mark SAIL 2025 (20-24 August 2025), the world’s largest nautical event, celebrating participating cultures with maritime vessels, crew and visitors from all around the globe. Heineken is a major sponsor of the festival’s night-time entertainment with the SAIL ON STAGE series.

Available exclusively in the Cruise sector in the Americas region from February to July 2025 and in European region from April to July 2025, the 12 fl oz cans feature ocean-inspired graphics. They are a contemporary celebration of the central role of water and the maritime industry in the long histories of both Amsterdam and the Heineken® brand.

The Port of Amsterdam has played a remarkable role in world history as a trading port and a pivotal role in the export of Heineken to the global stage. Gerard Heineken’s 1864 launch of his first brewery was just a few metres from the Amsterdam waterways that would be used to transport his premium beer to markets around the world.

The new cans incorporate digital engagement (via QR code) transporting the cruise guest on a Heineken journey, sharing the rich heritage of the brand with the chance to win a spectacular summer weekend in Amsterdam during the SAIL 2025 festival. The competition prize also includes a VIP visit to the Heineken® Experience with an iconic canal cruise to enjoy the festival up close at water level, sailing alongside the 10,000 vessels expected to arrive from ports around the world.

Christian Klimpke, Global Account Manager Cruises, HEINEKEN, remarks: “This is the first time we have created a limited edition for the Cruise sector to create excitement, intrigue and engagement for consumers and for crew. The Heineken SAIL can concept is a perfect way for us to share our pride in our home city and its vital role in the development of the Heineken brand. Water is elemental in the history and character of both Amsterdam and the heritage of Heineken too, from its role as one of the three ingredients in our beer, to the brand’s journeys across the oceans to reach over 190 countries.  

“There is also a natural synergy with our cruise business, which is a key focus for HEINEKEN as we seek to continue driving sales with engaging innovations like this that also bring added value to our cruise line partners. In planning the SAIL campaign we are going beyond simply offering a ‘fun new can design’ by adopting a holistic approach that resonates with the heritage of both Heineken® and our home city of Amsterdam.”

V.Ships Leisure to manage new Orient Express sailing yachts

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 18 March 2025 18 March 2025

V.Ships Leisure, part of V.Group, has announced its partnership with Orient Express Sailing Yachts for the management of two groundbreaking sailing yachts. This collaboration covers crew, technical and hotel management to ensure a seamless, sustainable and luxurious onboard experience for passengers.

Managed from Monaco by V.Ships Leisure, the first vessel, Orient Express Corinthian, will be the world’s largest sailing yacht, featuring hybrid LNG propulsion and AI-driven noise reduction technology. It will enter service in June 2026, sailing across the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Caribbean. Orient Express Olympian will follow in 2027.

Per Bjornsen, CEO of V.Ships Leisure, commented: “We are honoured to partner with Orient Express on this revolutionary maritime project, where exceptional design meets cutting-edge technology and sustainability.

“Our role is much more than a ship manager. By working in close partnership with our clients, building a strategic and collaborative relationship, we are providing real value and impact. At a time when the industry is getting more and more complex, we have the agility to support small and medium-sized companies in the hospitality space, whilst providing the scale of a global business. It’s a real win-win for all.”

Florian Richard, Fleet Director of Orient Express Sailing Yachts added: “V.Ships Leisure shares our commitment to excellence and our vision for a refined, sustainable travel experience.”

GNV tests RINA’s machine learning and predictive models to optimize energy use on new vessel

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 18 March 2025 18 March 2025

GNV has chosen RINA’s SERTICA Performance for the latest addition to its fleet, the GNV Polaris, starting right away by testing the ship during its inaugural voyage from China to Italy. The tool for monitoring operational data on ships allows efficient energy consumption management and the optimization of performance. Thanks to the system, GNV has identified two optimal operating scenarios allowing for the lowest Specific Fuel Consumption, and a predictive model that serves as both a benchmark and a simulator for future operations.

This advanced system functions as a real-time data collector recording, through a network of sensors installed on board, key parameters such as fuel consumption and the power of diesel generators and engines. While its primary focus is on monitoring energy expenditure, the collected data allows for the calculation of the ship's actual efficiency, providing a comprehensive view of its operational performance to the crew onboard and the onshore management.

During the GNV Polaris’ voyage, various operational scenarios were simulated at different speeds and configurations, such as alternating the use of diesel generators and shaft generators, to identify the most efficient solutions in terms of fuel consumption. Subsequently, the operational setup for the Genoa-Palermo route was tested, verifying the consistency between the sea trial results and the forecasts. The analysis confirmed the system's accuracy, allowing for the definition of the optimal configuration to reduce fuel consumption.

The project also includes the development of predictive models using machine learning techniques. A physical model of the ship, trained with the collected data, achieved remarkable accuracy. Performance models have proven to be reliable tools for accurately estimating ship efficiency and can serve as benchmarks to assess performance degradation over time or as scenario simulators if the ship is deployed on a different route or schedule. This analysis may also indicate the need for retrofit actions, such as hull and propeller cleaning or engine maintenance.

Ivana Melillo, Energy Efficiency Director at GNV said “GNV is making significant strides in sustainable shipping with their latest initiatives. One of the most notable developments is the introduction of the GNV Polaris, the first of four new ships designed to enhance sustainability in maritime transport. The GNV Polaris boasts high environmental standards and can achieve over 30% fuel savings, resulting in a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to the vessels currently in the fleet.

GNV plans to continue modernizing its fleet with more eco-friendly ships. This includes the introduction of new vessels that meet higher environmental standards, reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency. GNV is exploring the use of alternative fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and biofuels. These fuels produce fewer emissions compared to traditional marine fuels.

We are investing in energy management systems that leverage digital technologies to optimize energy use on board its vessels. This helps in reducing emissions and improving overall sustainability.

These digitalization efforts are part of GNV's broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to a more sustainable future in maritime transport.”

Lars Riisberg, Marine Digital Solutions Executive Director at RINA, said "The added value of SERTICA Performance lies in its ability to provide unparalleled data monitoring and analysis. By collecting data every five minutes and transmitting aggregates to shore, it enables detailed historical analysis. Its real-time dashboards, accessible remotely, support continuous monitoring and advanced analytics for internal assessments and fuel budget planning. A key advantage is its capability to set alerts for real-time sensor status monitoring, ensuring prompt anomaly detection. Additionally, SERTICA Performance tracks hull degradation and energy efficiency, comparing real-time performance against optimal conditions to drive informed decision-making."

Currently installed on over 800 ships, SERTICA Performance continues to expand with new implementations on vessels under construction.

Chantiers de l’Atlantique chooses NAPA for hull design

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 11 March 2025 11 March 2025

Chantiers de l’Atlantique, one of the largest shipyards in Europe, has entered a collaborative agreement with NAPA, a global provider of maritime software and digital services, to enhance the efficiency of its hull design process by co-developing advanced 3D software and digital workflows.

The two companies will collaborate to digitalize and enhance the detail design processes at Chantiers de l’Atlantique using NAPA Steel, the industry-leading 3D structural design tool. By integrating NAPA Steel with a software used in the production design stage, the combined solution will enable teams of engineers and naval architects to communicate swiftly and work together from the basic design stage, with hull design and outfitting, through to production design. This helps manage growing design complexity and allows Chantiers de l’Atlantique to meet customers’ needs for efficient, safe and innovative vessels.

This digital leap is driven by the recognition that no software alone can meet all the needs of the design process, from the basic to production design. Tackling this challenge, Chantiers de l’Atlantique adopted a pragmatic, ‘best-of-breed' approach. This is where enterprises can bring together different software to perform a particular function.

By bringing together engineers in charge of structures, propulsion, electrical, general arrangements and weight estimations, this collaboration helps ensure smooth coordination and optimal performance in shipbuilding projects where complex requirements and frequent changes demand agility and precision. Furthermore, through the interface between the NAPA 3D model and production design 3D model, the 3D models created by structural teams can be made available earlier to their colleagues in outfitting and production designs, thereby saving time and boosting efficiency.

The new deal follows a successful pilot that confirmed the potential of NAPA Steel to streamline ship design workflows, resulting in tangible time and cost savings. By strengthening the deployment of 3D-based design tools and integrated workflows, particularly in detail design, NAPA will help deliver greater efficiency, collaboration, and design quality.

The partnership with NAPA marks a new milestone in Chantiers de l'Atlantique's “digital shipyard” strategy. Headquartered in Saint-Nazaire, the shipyard specializes in cruise and navy ships and offshore installations.

Laurent Castaing, CEO at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, said: “This collaboration with NAPA helps us raise the bar in building the next generation of safer, smarter and more efficient vessels. As a world leader in highly advanced vessels, such as cruise and navy ships and offshore installations, managing design complexity is business critical. This requires efficient and streamlined workflows throughout a vessel’s design and production phases. Using agile tools and digital processes is at the heart of this, enabling our teams to take innovation to the next level and respond to our customers’ needs for efficient and future-proof designs.”

Mikko Kuosa, CEO at NAPA, said: “It has been an exciting journey with Chantiers de l’Atlantique to take their digital shipyard vision to new heights. Co-developing a solution that makes greater use of 3D-based digital tools and workflows is the way forward for ship design, unlocking a new level of collaboration and efficiency. Today this is more important than ever, at a time when there is growing demand for innovative vessels to support shipping’s energy transition. The digital era gives shipyards a solid foundation to innovate, while also enhancing their own productivity to maintain strong businesses.”