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Wärtsilä introduces new thrusters

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 02 October 2013 02 October 2013

Wärtsilä, a leading solutions and services provide in the marine industry, says it has introduced a new series of both steerable and transverse thrusters that will further develop the current portfolio. The new Wärtsilä Steerable Thruster series (WST) is being introduced to replace the company's Modular Thruster and Compact Thruster series, while the new Wärtsilä Transverse Thruster series (WTT) is replacing the current range of transverse thrusters. The new products have been developed in response to changing market demands, requiring competitive thruster products which are more efficient and cover a wider power range.

This major product development project was launched by Wärtsilä's Propulsion R&D already in 2011. The latest insights in thruster design were implemented using state-of-the-art numerical simulation tools. The first product to enter the pilot phase is a 4500 kW under water (de)-mountable steerable thruster, the WST-45-U, which began its pilot phase in summer 2013. Two more products, the WST-14 and the WTT-11, are scheduled to begin their pilot phase before the end of this year. Wärtsilä will continue the introduction of different sizes of thrusters in the coming years based on market requirements and customer priorities.

The new thrusters are available for various types of vessel depending on the size and features of the product. For example, the WST-45-U is designed mainly for the offshore drilling market; the WST-14 is intended for tugs up to 45tBP, inland waterway vessels, and for river/sea going cargo ships. This thruster is compatible with both medium speed and high speed (1800 rpm) diesel engines. The WTT-11 is a 1100 kW tunnel thruster designed mainly for merchant cargo vessels.

The new WST and WTT units come with several added features, such as an increased power range, an 8° tilted propeller gearbox, and a new Wärtsilä Thruster Nozzle for the thrusters designed for offshore drilling. The new thrusters intended for tug boat applications also have the new nozzle, which improves performance and has a high level of system integration as well. The new tunnel thrusters are more compact and efficient than earlier versions.

"The marine sector is undergoing a period of significant change and technological advancement, and this next generation Wärtsilä thruster portfolio has been developed in line with these trends by utilizing the latest calculation tools and model testing to secure the hydrodynamic leadership of the products. The new products are even more efficient and reliable than earlier, as well as being lighter and easier to install," said Arto Lehtinen, Vice President Propulsion, Wärtsilä Ship Power, in a statement.

SeaDream signs with Resco

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 25 September 2013 25 September 2013

SeaDream Yacht Club has reached an agreement with Rescompany to implement the complete suite of Resco's systems. The industry leading Resco central reservations, Resco CRS and the customer relation management module Resco CRM will be implemented at Seadream's Oslo headquarters in coming months. The deal also includes implementation of Resco's property management system solutions, Resco SMS and POS for on board the vessels.

Andreas Brynestad, CIO of SeaDream Yacht Club comments: "We have run an extensive evaluation process of the Resco suite of products and we see it as the perfect fit taking our operation to the next levels, in addition the reputation of Rescompany and its people is impressive."

"For us it is further confirmation our concept of complete systems offering is working. We look forward in assisting SeaDream Yacht Club to simplify and enhance processes at several levels of their operation, shore side and on the vessels. Providing our clients with a view and complete 360 degree customer profiling is key. We are excited to work with the team at SeaDream Yacht Club," says Peter Winqvist, Managing Director of Rescompany Systems.

Multi-award winning SeaDream Yacht Club owns and operates the 56-bedroom mega-yachts, SeaDream I & II. The word yachting in the company name is not just an expression about the boutique size of SeaDream I & II, however, more a reflection of the unique contemporary lifestyle aboard these ultra-luxury vessels. "It's yachting, not cruising" - Enjoy the Difference!

With just 56 sea-view bedrooms, all the luxury appointments you would expect of the most luxurious mega-yachts at sea and all the facilities of a state-of-the-art boutique resort, SeaDream I & II are perfect for exclusive use (charter) for business and for private and family events.

KONE to supply elevators for third Oasis

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 20 September 2013 20 September 2013

KONE has won an order to deliver its eco-efficient elevators and escalators for the Royal Caribbean International's latest Oasis-class cruise ship, a yet-to-be named vessel currently known "Oasis 3". She is the sister ship of the largest sailing cruise vessels in the world, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. The newest addition to the fleet is currently under construction by international shipbuilding group STX Europe in France.

KONE's order for Oasis 3 comprises 13 KONE MonoSpace elevators, 28 KONE MiniSpace elevators - including 12 scenic elevators - and two KONE EcoMaster escalators. Three easy access platforms will ensure efficient movement on-board for passengers with limited mobility. All the elevators will include energy-efficient features, such as regenerative drives that continuously supply energy back to the ship's power network during the breaking phase.

The two previous Oasis-class vessels, both of which were built by STX Europe in Finland, also feature KONE solutions. And like its sisters, Oasis 3 is expected to have the capacity to accommodate more than 6,000 people on-board, and offer luxury amenities, such as spas, an outdoor garden, fine dining, shopping, and sporting facilities.

"We are proud to continue and build on our successful relationship with STX Europe, and we are sure our people flow solutions will contribute to the smooth and efficient movement of the thousands of passengers and crew on-board at any given time," said Ari Winter, Head of Marine Business at KONE. "Marine elevators are among the most demanding to design. Our experience of working with STX Europe and providing solutions for the two older Oasis-class ships gave us the insight needed to understand the customer's needs and to find the best possible solutions for this extraordinary vessel."

Oasis 3 is expected to make its maiden voyage in 2016.

The order was booked into KONE's Q2 results.

Amadeus launches cruise booking app for agents in UK

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 19 September 2013 19 September 2013

Amadeus, the hospitality industry booking system and software company, is launching a cruise shopping and booking application in the UK, which it claims will enable agents to create a booking in less than two minutes, Travel Weekly reports..

Cruise Shop is designed for both experienced cruise specialists and agents who are new to the sector. Cruise Shop has been trialled by 100 agents across the UK.

Amadeus will begin making the application available to existing customers over the coming months, and it goes on sale on 19 September to non‑Amadeus customers.

The system promises to offer advanced and flexible functionality, including dynamic filtering of results to match client requirements and enhance agents’ ability to advise and sell. Alternative cabins, sailings and dates are displayed to provide the opportunity to switch-sell and up-sell. An interactive calendar displays an at-a-glance view of cruises available for departure over a selected month.

Cruise lines already featured are Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Holland America, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania, Silversea Cruises and Seabourn, the report said.

Bermello Ajamil & Partners merging with Consult DC to form B&A Europe

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 18 September 2013 18 September 2013

B&A and Consult DC, two firms well known throughout the cruise and maritime industry for their knowledge, leadership and perspectives, will unite to form B&A Europe located in Copenhagen.

The firm’s Principals have worked with each other on a variety of projects over the past two years and the timing is right to bring these groups together allowing Consult DC to have the needed planning, architecture and engineering expertise at their fingertips and this also allows B&A to have a direct presence in the European market where a number of key projects have already been completed including the St. Petersburg Cruise Port.

"From B&A’s perspective we would anticipate that Luis would continue working with the cruise community, his clients and on-going projects. He has a well-deserved reputation for providing great effort, solid strategic ideas and excellent results. We are looking forward to providing him with the tools he needs to expand service opportunities to architecture, engineering and planning throughout Europe," said Mark Ittel, Partner for B&A.

In his new role, Luis de Carvalho will be Managing Partner for B&A Europe. The experience Luis has from his past roles within the cruise industry and in tourism will assist to solidify what B&A is trying to do with its global cruise tourism business. In addition, B&A Europe will focus on providing a number of key services throughout Europe and the emerging African marketplace.