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Roxtec decides on further investments and R&D

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 17 July 2014 17 July 2014

Global cable and pipe transit provider Roxtec paves the way for its continuous growth within several industries throughout the world. “New materials will help us widen our offer to existing customers, conquer new markets and keep our position as market leader,” says Ola Weidenberg, Executive Vice President Global Products and Marketing.

Therefore, Roxtec will already during the upcoming twelve months create a first class material laboratory at the headquarters in Karlskrona, Sweden. The company will invest in new equipment as well as in the recruitment of highly skilled staff within materials engineering and chemistry. The idea is to develop and complement the rubber compounds primarily used in Roxtec sealing solutions today by, for example, light-weight composite materials. Roxtec, which was awarded the Grand Export Prize in Sweden in 2010, aims for further growth.

“We are globally recognized as sealing experts,” says Ola Weidenberg. “If we increase research and learn even more about rubber and composites we will be able to develop our offer within electrical safety as well as fire and explosion protection. When you work with safety, there are always new challenges to deal with, such as high temperatures, high pressure, chemicals, and, of course, oil.

Investing for the future

Roxtec dominates the global market when it comes to modular-based cable and pipe seals. The management wants to use this number one position wisely in order to give Roxtec every possibility to both maintain and increase its lead. “We are the only ones in the business who can rapidly adapt our flexible standard products to meet customer needs and requirements,” says Ola Weidenberg.

Scanship in Total Clean Ship Solution contract for third Viking Ocean Cruises' ship

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 08 July 2014 08 July 2014

Scanship Holding ASA has, through its subsidiary Scanship AS, been awarded the contract for delivery of a Total Clean Ship Solution for the third cruise vessel, Viking Sea, in the series being built for Viking Ocean Cruises at Fincantieri.

The contract is awarded by Fincantieri S.p.A., and the main delivery of equipment will take place in the third and fourth Quarter of 2014. The contract includes three options for equipment deliveries in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

"We are very pleased to be awarded another contract with Fincantieri. This is Scanship's 26th equipment contract with the Italian yard, confirming our strong relationship. The contract also confirms thatScanship is well positioned as a partner for the leading cruise yards. This is further made evident by the increased demand we are experiencing for our solutions, in large part due to stricter environmental regulations and higher environmental awareness among leading ship-owners",says CEO Henrik Badin.

The deliveries will include Scanship's Advanced Wastewater Purification (AWP) system and Waste Management (WM) system. The AWP system treats all wastewater streams on a vessel in compliance with the strictest environmental regulations, and the vessel when delivered, will be able to meet the new regulation in the Baltic Sea as well as the regulation enforced in Alaska. Scanship is the only supplier that has delivered AWP systems operating today meeting the Baltic Sea Helcom standard. The Scanship Waste Management system processes all garbage and food waste, and bio residues from these waste streams and from the wastewater will be dried and incinerated aboard. The total clean ship delivered from Scanship provides a seamless interface between all solid and liquid waste.

The equipment for the first vessel, Viking Star, in the Viking Ocean Cruises newbuild series was delivered to the yard last year, while the delivery to the second vessel, Viking Sky, is ongoing this summer.

Cruise ship newbuilding price per gross ton to drop in 2015-17, second drop since 1990 -- Odo - CBR report

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 01 July 2014 01 July 2014

The price of cruise ship newbuildings per gross ton due to be delivered in 2015-17 has fallen from the level seen in 2011-14, only the second time since 1990 that such a drop has taken place, according to Global Ocean Cruise market Analysis & Forecast, a report on the cruise industry produced by Odo Maritime Research in cooperation with Cruise Business Review.

In the 2015-17 period, the average cost per gros ton of cruise ship newbuildings is $5,621, while in the 2011-14 period, the figure is $6,159. In a review period that starts in 1990, this is only the second time the price has fallen, the previous fall occurred in 2000-04, the report shows.

The report features::

- Over 125 pages of charts, diagrams and analyses.

- A definitive and comprehensive survey of pre and post crisis states of the

ocean cruise industry.

- In-depth examination of tonnage capacity supply, orderbook and

newbuilding price trend, including a comparison of shipyard prices and

delivery records.

- A study of capacity deployment patterns and forecast.

- An assessment of market shares of major and minor cruise lines.

- Uncovering the strength and weakness of the cruise business through a

comparative study of business performances of various lines in the last

decade.

- Which port attracts most calls and passengers? How many passengers per

call?

- An evaluation of cruise products and services, shoreside and seaside.

- A scrutiny of modern distribution methods and their effectiveness, with

an introduction to CRM software for passenger shipping.

- A special assessment of the possible re-introduction of liner service and a

tonnage valuation.

- Plus an appendix of an abbreviated database of ships in active cruise

service.

Available from mid June 2014 in PDF, price: €650 or US$860 or GBP520

For further information and order form please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wärtsilä adds two more Prestige Cruise Holding ships to service portfolio

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 27 June 2014 27 June 2014

Two vessels have been added to the five-year maintenance agreement that was signed between Wärtsilä, the marine industry's leading solutions and services provider, and US-based Prestige Cruise Holdings, Inc. (Prestige), the parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The agreement now covers eight vessels with a total of 35 Wärtsilä engines.

The tailor-made agreement that was signed in 2012 with Prestige is one of the most comprehensive yet for the cruise industry. The depth and scope of the agreement covers pro-active planning by both companies working in co-operation. It also involves dedicated teams from both parties, which will work closely together to ensure maximized lifetime, reduced operational costs and optimal performance of the Prestige fleet.

The broad scope of services that are provided under this agreement include maintenance planning, technical surveys, condition monitoring, spare parts supply, training and workshop services. This agreement ensures the certainty of Prestige's operations by transferring the responsibility for their vessels' maintenance to Wärtsilä. It also increases Prestige's financial predictability by covering maintenance planning and service with fixed prices.

"We have been very satisfied with our cooperation with Wärtsilä. Wärtsilä has displayed their ability to deliver the value that they promised in the agreement, providing us the peace of mind through risk sharing and a streamlined cost structure," says Robin Lindsay, Executive Vice President, Vessel Operations, Prestige Cruise Holdings.

"The purpose of maintenance agreements is to enable customers to focus on their core business. We are very pleased that Prestige sees the added value in this agreement with Wärtsilä and has chosen to add two more vessels," says Sean Carey, General Manager of Contract Management, Wärtsilä North America, Inc.

Corsica Ferries first with MCP's VAVE

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 25 June 2014 25 June 2014

Corsica Ferries is first to tap into MCPs new entertainment- and information platform for the ferry- and cruise industry. Following a successful pilot, five vessels in the Mediterranean Ocean will be equipped with VAVE (Value Adding Voyage Experience platform) this summer. Passengers will enjoy rich digital leisure opportunities from an innovative onboard digital entertainment and information solution.

Rich access to Internet and entertainment services from personal devices is not something crew and passengers on cruise ships and ferries have been spoiled with. MCP’s new business enablement platform VAVE is set to change the industry with communications- and entertainment solutions that meets current and emerging demands from crew and passengers. VAVE is a game-changer that supports onboard revenue generation as well as increasing customer satisfaction. The solution improves travel experiences through services suited “needs and wants” from crew and passengers with an onboard cloud that delivers entertainment and information to any device with the same speed and quality of service as onshore.

"Consumer technology changes the way organizations plan, manage, operate, control and evaluate their business. The cruise and ferry industry must put mobile and digital solutions amongst its top priorities. VAVE allows communication on a rich digital experience platform that dramatically improves travel experiences and creates a digital umbrella of opportunities for all devices onboard," said SVP of Business Innovation, Ole-Kristian Sivertsen at MCP.

VAVE was deployed on a vessel operating to and from Corsica in 2013 with fantastic feedback from operator, crew and passengers. Because of the vast business benefits, Corsica Ferries have now signed a contract to equip all of its routes between France and Corsica with VAVE ahead of the peak season . First services deployed are improved Wi-Fi-coverage, digital signage for screens in public areas and a VAVE portal for tablets and mobile phones. The VAVE portal enables access to live-TV from mobile devices, information and commercials (weather, information about destination, discover your ship, follow the journey, and other content such as music, games, etc.

"We are pleased to participate in an innovation such as VAVE. Corsica Ferries have always been early adaptors and innovators when it comes to providing our passengers with what they need. With VAVE we are delighted to improve travel experiences onboard our ferries," says Pierre Mattei, CEO Corsica Ferries. "The solution will help our passengers to stay connected with friends and family, have access to a large range of useful content and also provide entertainment at an affordable cost."

"Mobile engagement, mobile marketing and digital experience are the cornerstones of VAVE. The solution adds value to the voyage for any ship and all passengers. Forward-thinking ship owners may offer services that meet customers’ needs and wants, as well as introduce mobile marketing and digital customer engagement. VAVE’s unique design and technology allows ship owner’s to easily and efficiently communicate with any individual onboard," said Sivertsen.

VAVE works with any device including mobile phones, tablets, TV and interactive displays.

"VAVE is a positive storm that is about to sweep over the cruise and ferry market. Passengers and crew will demand these services sooner rather than later. VAVE allows you to be ahead of expectations. Those responsible for revenue generation and passenger satisfaction in maritime environments need to explore this platform," said Sivertsen.