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BLRT Grupp opens up service on a large new floating dock

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 09 August 2024 09 August 2024

An official ceremony held on August 8th at Tallinn Shipyard, a ship repair facility incorporated by BLRT Grupp, marked the commissioning of a new floating dock designed for vessel maintenance, repair, and upgrade services.

The 180-meter long and 30-meter-wide floating dock, with a lifting capacity of 10,000 tonnes, was completed at the Hat-San Shipyard in Turkey at the end of May 2024. Once all the necessary infrastructure for the dock installation was completed, and the dock itself was transported to Tallinn by the Zeus of Finland tug, owned by Alfons Håkans, it was positioned in its designated location, previously occupied by the old 155-meter long and 27-meter-wide dock.

“The construction of the new dock for Tallinn Shipyard is the next stage of the Group's ship repair investment program, through which we have invested 90 million euros over the past five years. This step propels the holding to a new level, offering shipowners new opportunities to maintain, repair, and upgrade larger vessels in Tallinn, including Handysize vessels. This will considerably enhance the competitiveness of both Tallinn Shipyard and the entire ship repair division of BLRT Grupp,” stated Fjodor Berman, Chairman of the BLRT Grupp Management Board.

“We tend to think of the maritime industry mainly in terms of ships and ports, but this sector has tremendous potential. The commissioning of the new large floating dock at BLRT Grupp's ship repair yard marks a significant milestone for Estonia's industrial progress. This investment will substantially expand the yard's capabilities to service, repair, and upgrade large-capacity vessels. Simultaneously, it will support Estonia's strategy for developing a hub of environmentally safe and innovative maritime technologies and services. If we approach this wisely, we can transform Estonia into a nation as advanced in maritime technologies as we are today in digital technologies. Such investments make an essential contribution to the implementation of this ambitious plan,” commented the sizeable investment Kristen Michal, Prime Minister of Estonia.

Denis Lazarevs, a Management Board member of Alfons Håkans, a Finnish company providing towage services, noted: “We were excited to transport the new floating dock for BLRT Grupp. The challenging tow from Turkey to Estonia covered a distance of nearly 7,000 kilometres. We are pleased that BLRT Grupp continues to invest in equipment and expand its operations despite the tough economic conditions. We at Alfons Håkans hope that the new BLRT Grupp’s dock will operate smoothly and successfully for a long time.”

Almaco Group delivers catering systems onboard Silver Ray

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 05 August 2024 05 August 2024

As of May 14, 2024, Almaco Group successfully completed the delivery of all galleys and provision stores onboard Silver Ray, the latest addition to Silversea Cruises’ fleet, built at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg. This project stands as a testament to the seamless cooperation and shared expertise between Almaco, the shipyard, and the cruise line.

The galleys and provision stores provided by Almaco for the luxurious Silver Ray reflects the high standards seen on the sister vessel, Silver Nova. The galleys and provision areas are tailored to support the culinary team’s needs, featuring advanced equipment and layout designs that streamline operations and enhance food preparation and storage processes to support eight restaurants, and a selection of bars that cater to every taste.

The project included design, supply, construction and commissioning of all galleys, pantries, and bar equipment.

The project’s success was amplified by the exceptional synergy between Almaco’s team and its partners. “The collaboration with the yard’s and owner’s teams was instrumental in achieving the amazing end-result,” says Frédéric Vasseur, President of Catering Division at Almaco. Eric Guiot, the Project Manager, adds, “Seeing our collective vision come to life with such precision has been truly rewarding. It helps a lot to have a long history of working together. We know each other well by now.”

Silver Ray is not just a vessel; it’s a pioneer in maritime sustainability. The ship boasts innovative features that set new standards in eco-friendly cruising. The quality and longevity of Almaco’s equipment contribute to the ship’s sustainable profile. High-quality equipment that is well maintained can add several additional years to the equipment lifetime, which means less replacements are needed.

ABB modernizes Phoenix Reisen's Amera with DC technology and shore connection for improved safety and efficiency

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 31 July 2024 31 July 2024

To further improve the efficiency and sustainability of its fleet, Germany-based cruise operator Phoenix Reisen has modernized its 205-meter, 835-passenger capacity ship Amera. The vessel is now equipped with ABB’s Onboard DC Grid power system platform and shore connection for improved efficiency and safety, as well as lower emissions. Following successful commissioning and sea trials, Amera has become the first cruise ship retrofitted with Onboard DC Grid™.

The turnkey project involved the replacement of the vessel’s AC system with modern DC technology. As a DC-based power distribution system, Onboard DC Grid allows the simple and cost-effective integration of energy sources and loads in a compact, lightweight and functional setup. The key benefits include safer and more efficient vessel operations thanks to the system’s high fault tolerance. In addition, the vessel is future-proofed as it can be equipped to allow efficient integration of new, low-carbon energy sources such as batteries and fuel cells. This will also support operations in emission control areas such as the Norwegian fjords.

“Our aim is to be a leader in sustainable cruising, providing unforgettable travel experiences in some of the world’s most beautiful locations while protecting fragile local ecosystems,” said Johannes Zurnieden, Founder and CEO, Phoenix Reisen. “We are working towards more efficient and environmentally friendly operations across our fleet and having completed the modernization of Amera together with ABB, we are confident we are on the right track to achieve this objective.”

ABB’s shore connection system will help Amera reduce emissions during port calls. Typically, shore connection can help to reduce daily emissions of cruise ships by 35 percent when they are docked eight hours per day. Meanwhile, the onboard power setup will be managed by ABB’s integrated PEMS power and energy management system, which will ensure optimal use of the vessel’s power resources.

“At ABB, we are fully committed to working with customers toward electrification. Modernization projects, in this case converting the complete power plant from AC to DC and integrating shore connection technology, play a significant part in those efforts,” said Tomas Arhippainen, Head of Marine Service and Digital, ABB Marine & Ports. “Amera is the first cruise ship to be retrofitted with Onboard DC Grid, making this a milestone project for us, Phoenix Reisen and indeed the cruise industry as a whole. This project proves that the benefits of increased efficiency and safety are available not only for newbuild, but also for existing vessels.”

ABB’s full scope of supply comprises drives, motors and generators, transformer, PEMS™, automation technology and shore connection.

MKN appoints Andrea Ostheer new Head of Communications

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 10 July 2024 10 July 2024

Andrea Ostheer has been appointed the new Head of Global Communication at MKN Maschinenfabrik Kurt Neubauer GmbH & Co. KG as of 01.06.2024.

The 44-year-old is responsible for global communication for the international hidden champion of professional cooking technology.

The graduate business economist and PR consultant (DAPR) has 20+ years of international experience in the field of corporate communication. She previously worked at Mast-Jägermeister SE, the premium liqueur manufacturer, where she held various positions in communications. Most recently, she accompanied strategic processes within global transformation and change management.

In her new role at MKN, Andrea Ostheer will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive communication strategy to enhance the company's global presence and improve the efficiency of its corporate and B2B communication on an international scale.

ABB–Arkitech collaboration delivers HVAC efficiency gains for MSC Magnifica

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 08 July 2024 08 July 2024

A collaboration between ABB and Arkitech has brought significant efficiency gains for the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system on board MSC Magnifica. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze data from over 1,500 sensors on the MSC Cruises ship, this technology enables up to 12 percent increase in chiller efficiency to achieve monthly energy savings of 100 MW by the 15-year old ship while maintaining optimal air-handling unit performance.

The HVAC systems onboard cruise ships and ferries are often one of the largest energy consumer after propulsion, making energy efficiency a priority. The ABB solution based on ARK-M20 is designed to minimize the cost and environmental impact of this system. It works by continuously optimizing the HVAC system’s temperature set point in response to variable conditions including weather, seawater temperature, mobility, proportion of passenger capacity filled, time of day and position in port or at sea.

“Controlling the most energy-demanding processes onboard – propulsion, hotel operations and HVAC – is increasingly important,” said Ivana Melillo, Head of Energy Efficiency, MSC Cruise Management (UK) Limited. “Reducing energy needs can decrease fuel consumption and emissions. Thanks to the project, we expect to save 10-12 percent of HVAC energy consumption, equating to nearly 1 ton of fuel saved daily. The greatest emissions savings come from the fuel we don't use.”

“As maritime organizations seek to enhance operational efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint, innovative technologies like ARK-M20 are well positioned to support this growing demand,” said Alessandro De Santis, Manager – Service Area South Europe, ABB Marine & Ports. “Our collaboration with Arkitech and MSC Cruises emphasizes our commitment to delivering measurable energy savings and operational improvements through technology. The project’s success is yet another testament to our leadership in advancing efficiency and sustainability in the maritime industry.”

Supplied in a modular plug-and-play configuration, the ARK-M20 system can be installed seamlessly during normal vessel operations to offer a platform to monitor vessel air quality. As well as providing a safe and comfortable environment for passengers and crew, optimizing HVAC performance contributes towards compliance with regulations such as the International Maritime Organization’s Carbon Intensity Indicator.

“The results achieved by our ARK-M20 system onboard MSC Magnifica exceeded our initial target, equating to energy savings of 100 MW per month and an anticipated 1,600–2,000 MW per year,” said Sander Huijer, Chief Executive Officer, Arkitech. “We are grateful to ABB for its support, in a project which demonstrates the efficiency gains, cost savings and emissions reduction, which can be achieved without compromising performance or guest and crew comfort.”

Photo credit: MSC Cruises