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Hurtigruten reveals plans for step-by-step restart

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 May 2020 12 May 2020

In Norway – where Hurtigruten is headquartered and which is one of the most popular destination for Arctic cruises – schools, kindergartens, restaurants, cinemas and hairdressers are already open and travel restrictions are gradually lifted.

"Gradually restarting operations within Norwegian waters are natural first steps towards a normalization for us. The size and scale of our step-by-step restart is dependent on national and international travel restrictions, government support and other external factors outside of our control. But we are eager to welcome guests on board our ships again, CEO Daniel Skjeldam says.

Hurtigruten also plans to gradually restart Arctic expedition cruises this summer, according to Skjeldam “in areas where restrictions are lifted – where and when we believe it is safe."

"Nothing is more important to us than the safety and well-being of our crew and guests. We are working closely with all relevant authorities, experts and agencies to ensure a safe and sensible restart of our expedition cruises," Skjeldam says.

Strict measures

Even before the global outbreak, Hurtigruten imposed strict measures and protocols to combat the spread of the virus. Hurtigruten have not had any confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 on any ships. The lessons learned is the basis of our new, strict procedures that will be imposed before the restart of our operations.

"In total, we will implement hundreds of small and larger measures to keep our guests and crew safe and healthy. Some of them are transitory, some will be permanent. But from even stricter hygiene protocols to reduced guest capacity to allow social distancing, this will give you a safer voyage without impacting the experience," Skjeldam says.
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Flexible rebooking policy 

As there still is a lot of uncertainty surrounding international travel restrictions in the following weeks and months, Hurtigruten has introduced a flexible rebooking policy.

To give explorers the confidence needed for their travel plans during these extraordinary times, Hurtigruten offers free rebooking for all guests on all voyages departing before 30 September. The guests are offered rebooking and a future discount of 10%, to any future Hurtigruten cruise - Expedition or Norwegian Coastal – in 2020 or 2021.  

For full policy and rebooking options, please click here to visit Hurtigruten’s dedicated information page. 

Operations update May 11 2020

Following the latest developments of the pandemic, including local and global travel restrictions and advisories, government support, Hurtigruten have decided to extend the temporary suspension of operations.

Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Voyages:  

– Operations on the scheduled Bergen - Kirkenes – Bergen voyages will be suspended until June 15 2020.
– The company is planning for a gradual restart of operations on the Norwegian coast. The first planned departure will be Finnmarken from Bergen on June 16.
– Following June 16, the company will make decisions for each and every voyage individually. It will update all booked guests on any changes that will affect their voyage as soon as possible, and no later than three weeks (21 days) before the scheduled ship’s departure.
– In agreement with the Norwegian Ministry of Transport, Hurtigruten has deployed two ships in an amended domestic schedule. The newly upgraded MS Richard With and MS Vesterålen is bringing critical supplies and goods to local Norwegian communities. This service will continue through Jun 15.

Hurtigruten Expedition Cruises:

– All Hurtigruten expedition cruises are temporarily suspended, with a number of voyages affected - including voyages with battery hybrid powered Fridtjof Nansen to Norway and Roald Amundsen to Alaska and the Northwest Passage, as well as some cruises to Svalbard and Iceland. A full an updated list of cancelled voyages can be found here.
– Hurtigruten plans to gradually restart expedition cruises in areas where restrictions are lifted – where and when we believe it is safe. We will make decisions on each individual voyage, and update all booked guests on any changes that will affect their voyage as soon as possible, and no later than three weeks (21 days) before the scheduled departure.

(Photo credit: Vidar Trellevik)

Europa 2 switches to cold ironing in Hamburg

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 May 2020 11 May 2020

Europa 2, a luxury segment vessel of the German cruise operator Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, is now using cold ironing at the Cruise Center Altona in Hamburg, Germany, the company said in a statement.

The process provides shoreside electrical power to a ship at berth while its main and auxiliary engines are turned off. In this test phase, the undisrupted use and compatibility had been comprehensively tested and prepared when the Europa 2was moored in its berth in Altona. This down time – due to the current travel restrictions – offered the opportunity to complete successfully the test phase.

All newly built ships in the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ fleet are equipped for the use of cold ironing. Another important component of the environmental strategy, is the extension of the use of low-pollutant marine gas oil, with a sulphur content of 0.1% to the entire fleet.

The small luxury ship the Europa 2, with a capacity of 500 guests, requires only 2.2 MW (megawatt) of power per hour during port time and is able to reduce its emissions to almost zero. The electricity used is being supplied by ‘Hamburg Energie’ and comes from 100% renewable resources, which means that the operation of the ship in the port is practically climate-neutral.

Europa 2 was the first cruise ship in the world to be fitted with SCR catalytic converters. The catalytic converters reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by almost 95%. It is also the first cruise ship to have EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) certification, and its CO2 emissions are 31% below the target value. The other new ships in the expedition fleet are continuing this strategy and are also equipped with these catalytic converters.

“With our years of expertise in the luxury and expedition segment we set the highest standards in the industry with our ships, and are committed to adhering to strict environmental protection standards. We have already made significant progress in this field and never stop working to improve it further,” says Karl J. Pojer, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. He continues: “We use marine gas oil with a low 0.1% sulphur content in the whole fleet, all over the world, thereby going beyond the legal requirements. Successful use of cold ironing is another important part of our environmental strategy.”

By transitioning to the low-pollutant fuel voluntarily, the sulphur emissions of the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleet will be cut by 80%. The switch to marine gas oil also means a reduction in soot and particulates of up to 30%. In addition to this, all routes are carefully planned with an eco-efficient average speed, not pushing vessels to go as fast as possible reduces consumption by 30% and thus also lowers the emissions.

Damen hosts digital steel-cutting ceremony for ropax vessel

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 May 2020 09 May 2020

On Monday, 27th April, Damen Yichang Shipyard in China hosted a steel cutting ceremony with a difference. As a result of safety measures surrounding the global COVID-19 outbreak, the occasion of first steel cut for a Damen ropax Ferry 6716 for the Government of Timor-Leste was marked by a digital gathering.

The steel cutting ceremony is always an occasion for celebration and, ordinarily, Damen would invite its clients and guests to attend the event. However, at the current time this is not possible, so the occasion required some digital innovation.

Damen sales manager Gysbert Boersma explains, “During the coronavirus crisis, our first priority is for peoples’ safety and well-being. We do, however, still like to mark these important milestones so we do so in a safety-conscious manner, with the aid of digital communications. The steel cutting was a great success; we certainly still managed to make it a special event.”

Attendees of the online ceremony included representatives of the Government of Timor-Leste and Damen employees in both China and the Netherlands. The delegates gathered at their individual computers at 14.50 China Standard time (15.50 in Timor-Lest and 08.50 in the Netherlands) to listen to speeches. After this, Damen Yichang Shipyard General Manager Mr Deng Zhiping pushed the button and the first steel was cut.

When completed, the 67 x 16 metres vessel will operate a route between Timor-Leste’s capital Dili, the Oecusse enclave and the island of Ataúro. She will carry up to 308 passenger, plus vehicles and goods. The project is co-funded by the governments of Timor-Leste and Germany and is scheduled to begin operations in 2021. The Government of Timor-Leste has stated that the ferry will open up new opportunities for commerce, education and employment in the country.

During the coronavirus crisis, Damen Yichang Shipyard has managed to continue production by taking robust safety measures that ensure the well-being of personnel, their families and the wider community. This has included many employees working from home. For those unable to work from home, there has been temperature testing before entry, a rigorous cleaning and disinfection programme and the observation of safe working distance at all times.

Foreship launches Project Hygiea to keep coronavirus off cruise ships

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 May 2020 07 May 2020

Leading naval architecture and marine engineering firm Foreship has devised an initiative to limit the presence and spread of coronavirus and other pathogens on passenger ships and get the cruise sector back up and running. Entitled ‘Project Hygiea’, the four-step approach comprises interception, prevention, mitigation and evacuation.

Foreship Business Development Director Mattias Jörgensen says that there is no “silver-bullet” solution for fighting viruses in the cruise industry. “However, by combining our own expertise with the knowledge of medical professionals and that of our extensive partner network, we have formulated a strategy that tackles the crisis on four fronts.”

As Jörgensen explains, stage 1 of Hygiea aims to keep the biohazard off the ship. Ports will be designed for efficient interception, with technology installed for testing and measuring body temperature, for example. In the event that a vaccine becomes widely available, passengers will be screened for vaccination before being allowed to board the vessel.

Stage 2 is about preventing the virus from spreading, which means employing stringent hygiene measures and optimising spaces and routes to maintain a safe distance between individuals. Technology will be contactless and automated where possible to reduce transmission via surfaces. Crew will be trained in practices relating to sanitation and social distancing.

Stage 3 is a matter of isolating the pathogen through quarantining and decontamination to mitigate its impact. Technology such as air treatment systems and medical facilities will be provided to support these efforts.

Stage 4 focuses on preparation for the worst-case scenario: critical incidents on board. Evacuation procedures will be put in place, with routes through the ship designed for speedy extraction, while emergency suits, capsules and craft will be made available.

According to Jörgensen, the effective implementation of these steps relies on a ‘Hazard and Operability’ (HAZOP) analysis, in which Foreship collaborates with a ‘HAZOP group’ of vessel stakeholders to identify risk areas and develop solutions specific to their ship. A feasibility study determines how these solutions will manifest themselves on board and in port. The successful study is followed by engineering work, installation, commissioning and finally, verification.

With several companies looking to initiate Project Hygiea in the coming weeks, Jörgensen is optimistic about its potential impact: “Passenger ship owners are striving to restore public faith in cruise tourism. Foreship’s expertise in vessel design, refit, project management and lifecycle services puts us in a unique position to provide the bigger-picture solution they are looking for. Even at this early stage, we are seeing a lot of interest in Hygiea, which promises to have a significant positive impact on the immediate future of the industry.”

Three RCCL brands extend Cruise With Confidence policy to April 2022

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 May 2020 07 May 2020

To provide peace of mind in vacation planning, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises extend their "Cruise with Confidence" cancellation policy to sailings through April 2022, parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd (RCCL) said in a statement.

For new and existing bookings created by August 1, 2020, guests have the flexibility to cancel their cruise up to 48 hours prior to sailing and receive a full credit of the cruise fare for a future cruise through April 2022. The cruise company has also enhanced "Cruise with Confidence" with new rebooking options. The updates now available to travelers and their travel advisors include:

Guests can choose to change the price and promotional offer on their reservation up to 48 hours before their cruise.

For ease and as close as 48 hours prior to sailing, travelers have the option to simply "lift and shift" their cruise to the same itinerary departing on a future date. The original price and promotional offer on the reservation will be protected, along with the length of the cruise and stateroom category.

"Guests are reacting positively to our Cruise with Confidence policy," said RCCL chairman and CEO Richard Fain, "because it enables them to make informed decisions and to better manage complicated travel plans during this unprecedented time of uncertainty."

"Cruise with Confidence" applies to both existing cruise bookings and those made by August 1, 2020. In addition to easing concerns of booked guests, Fain says the policy enhances consumer confidence to schedule new bookings, knowing last-minute travel adjustments are allowed.

"We want our guests to feel they can safely keep their existing cruise bookings or schedule new sailings," said Fain, "because this policy gives them more freedom and flexibility."