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Meyer Turku and NIT invests in sustainability project

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 June 2016 21 June 2016

Finland’s leading shipbuilding experts are launching an ambitious research project, the aim of which is to add value and substance to sustainable business. The project will be coordinated by the University of Turku’s Technology Research Center. Among the industry partners are Meyer Turku and NIT.

“We are looking for new insights into the life cycle costs of cruise ships,” says Project Manager Matti Koskela from NIT. “It’s increasingly important for cruise operators to understand all aspects of sustainability and get reliable data for their investment decisions. The life cycle of a modern cruise ship can be extended to 40 years or even more.”

The project is called Sustainability and Transparency in Shipbuilding Networks (SUSTIS). Matti Koskela says that NIT is participating in the project by focusing on its strongest business areas, such as ship interiors and piping.

“For example, we will be studying the life cycle costs of steel pipes and comparing the results to the sustainability performance of plastic solutions. By understanding more we can better serve the shipyard and the ship owner.”

NIT has been a turnkey supplier for Meyer Turku since 2000. The company has designed and installed interior and technical solutions in the world’s biggest cruise ships, and will be contributing strongly to the Mein Schiff series, supplying restaurants, bars, crew areas and stairs up to 2018.

“Sustainability has been part of the shipbuilding business for years, but we haven’t discovered all the connections and opportunities yet,” says Jaana Hänninen, Environmental Manager of Meyer Turku. “It is rapidly becoming a big everyday issue. We need accurate data and a transparent process, and we need to implement cradle-to-cradle thinking for this industry.”

Hänninen says that it would be wrong to look at sustainability exclusively from an environmental perspective:

“It’s all about business that is reasonable, efficient and that produces high quality. It’s not greenwashing – instead it’s a very solid business that offers good value to all stakeholders. We appreciate our suppliers who have the courage to collaborate in this kind of project, think outside the box and develop their businesses in the long term. We are happy looking into the future with NIT on this project.”

TUI Cruises takes delivery of Mein Schiff 5, 10 days early

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 June 2016 20 June 2016

Mein Schiff 5, the third newbuilding of TUI Cruises from the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, has been delivered to the Hamburg based company today, 10 days ahead of schedule, the shipbuilder said in a statement. The ship will enter service in mid-July

Palfinger unveils plan to acquire TTS Group

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 June 2016 20 June 2016

Palfinger AG, the Vienna listed company that acquired life saving equipment maker Harding last month, has unveiled a plan to acquire TTS Group, the Norwegian marine equipment maker.

Palfinger intends to offer NOK5.60 in cash per share in TTS Group, which is listed in Oslo. It expects to publsh a detailed offer within a month and to close the deal by the end of Janyary next year. A family that controls 32% of the shares in TTS Group has recommended that other shareholders in the company accept the planned offer.

Costa Cruises and the Ligurian Regional Administration join forces to promote tourism in Savona

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 June 2016 17 June 2016

Costa Cruises and the Ligurian Regional Administration have announced a brand new initiative designed to promote tourism in Savona, Italy. Beginning in late June, cruise guests arriving on Costa’s ships will be able to go on a walking tour specially designed as a journey of discovery of the town and its typical products.

"This initiative stems from our partnership with the Ligurian Regional Administration and is intended to be another major contribution towards further development of the town's vocation for tourism," said Neil Palomba, president of Costa Cruises. "Some one million of our cruisers come here every year, from countries around Europe and internationally and now they will have the chance to discover the best of Savona, with its treasures that are little known even in the rest of Liguria and which we want to help convey to the world. We were the first to believe in Savona as a cruise destination back in 1996; over the years it has become our main port of call in the Mediterranean and its reputation as tourist resort is growing all the time."

"The Regional Administration continues to be actively engaged in the promotion of Savona and environs,” said Giovanni Toti, governor of Liguria. "We believe that this area can and must become a center of Mediterranean tourism. With a partner like Costa Cruises, I am sure that we will achieve great things and finally foster that part of our heritage that is hidden or, even worse, forgotten. This administration is convinced that tourism is an industry with great investment potential. We are laying the groundwork for development of the system as a whole and we are doing so intelligently, the aim being to capitalize on our rich history and splendid array of attractions."

“I was very impressed by Costa Cruises' willingness to meet the needs of local stakeholders," said Ilaria Cavo, the Ligurian Regional Administration's Councilor for Culture and Communication. "The fact that cultural attractions like these, which are maintained only thanks to the efforts of volunteers, will now be visited by thousands of tourists on walking tours is a wonderful opportunity for their promotion. It will also be a booster for the local economy and is reward for the efforts made in this area to date. I will be announcing the news to Savona personally. Culture will be one of the main means of re-energizing the tourism industry in Liguria."

The new Savona walking tours begin from Palacrociere cruise terminal and include visits of the Baroque Cappella Sistina, the Priamar Fortress and the landmark Torre del Brandale. Like on any other Costa shore tour, cruisers will be accompanied by professional guides who speak the languages of everybody on the excursion and who will explain the history of these monuments and their wonderful art, architecture and culture.

The tours will also feature stops in some of the old-world shops in Savona's picturesque old center with tasting of typical local products, such as focaccia, farinata (a kind of chickpea pancake), chinotto and amaretti, plus a visit of ceramic workshops. Guests will then have time at leisure before returning on foot to the Palacrociere. The walking tour lasts around 3.5 hours.

Between the end of June 2016 and the end of 2017, Costa's ships will be porting in Savona about 300 times and the walking tour of discovery of the town will be available for guests on every one. In particular, the flagship Costa Diadema will be at the Palacrociere every Saturday on seven-day Western Mediterranean cruises.

Celestyal to sail Cuba's Punta Frances throughout 2016-2017 season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 June 2016 16 June 2016

Celestyal Cruises has announced its newest port of call Punta Frances for the upcoming 2016-2017 Caribbean season.

"Chosen for its authentic vibe, impeccable coastlines, and crystalline waters shimmering in virtually every shade of blue, Punta Frances will replace Maria La Gorda on Celestyal Cruises’ all-inclusive 7-night Cuba itinerary. Located on the secluded Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth), Punta Francés features nearly two miles of sugary white sand beaches and crystalline Caribbean seas where travelers can discover the natural splendors of one of the country's most memorable marine sanctuaries: Punta Frances National Marine Park. The protected area is abundant with a multitude of bird species, gardens of sponges and corals, vast sea life," Celestyal said in a press release.

The revised itinerary offers travelers opportunities to enjoy both on-board and on-shore the unique immersion in Cuban natural beauty and deep-dive into an authentic Cuban experience which only Celestyal Cruises can provide.

The updated 7-night, all-inclusive Celestyal Cruises Cuba cruise itinerary to be performed starting in November 2016, through the end of 2017 offers embarkation in either Havana, Cuba or Montego Bay, Jamaica and is scheduled weekly as follows:

Monday – Havana
Tuesday – Havana – Depart at 17:00
Wednesday – Punta Frances – Arrive at 13:00; Depart at 18:00
Thursday – Cienfuegos – Arrive at 07:00; Depart at 15:00
Friday – Montego Bay – Arrive at 08:00; Depart at 20:00
Saturday – Santiago de Cuba – Arrive at 08:00; Depart at 16:00
Sunday – At Sea
Monday – Havana – Arrive at 09:30