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Star Clippers returns to Thai waters in 2017 after seven year break

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 May 2015 21 May 2015

Tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers says it will operate a winter season in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore from December 2016 to April 2017. This marks the line’s return to the region for the first time since March 2010.

The 170-passenger Star Clipper will end its summer season in the Mediterranean and sail via the Suez Canal and Sri Lanka to its winter home port of Phuket, where it will operate seven-night round trip cruises on two different routes from 2nd December 2016, as well as some voyages to Singapore.

There are two itineraries, northbound and southbound, as well as seven departures that either begin or end in Singapore. Star Clipper will explore the many islands scattered off the coast of Phuket, accessible only by water, with some of the most beautiful beaches and dazzling marine life in the world. There will be numerous opportunities for sunbathing, snorkelling, other watersports, exploring on foot and taking photo safaris in the ship’s Zodiacs. Ports of call include:

Northbound from Phuket

- Ko Surin National Marine Park, a cluster of five forested islands with exquisite beaches and spectacular underwater life
- The Similan Islands, an archipelago of coral and granite with crystal-clear water and diverse wildlife
- Ko Rok Nok, an uninhabited island with incredible reefs
- Langkawi in Malaysia, with beautiful beaches and temples
- Ko Kradan, a laid-back beach resort
- Phang Nga Bay, offering spectacular scenery of forested limestone towers and hidden coves

Southbound from Phuket:

- Ko Butang, with gorgeous beaches and world-class snorkelling
- Penang, with diverse colonial heritage
- Ko Adang, a tiny, unspoiled island in the Tarutao National Marine Park
- Ko Rok Nok, an uninhabited island with incredible reefs
- Phang Nga Bay, offering spectacular scenery of forested limestone towers and hidden coves
- The Similan Islands, an archipelago of coral and granite with crystal-clear water and diverse wildlife

Mikael Krafft, Owner and President of Star Clippers says: “We have been waiting a long time to resume these popular itineraries and are now returning to Southeast Asia to explore beaches, islands and anchorages not visited by any other cruise ship. We know from 15 years of past experience, when we based a ship in this region every winter, how popular these voyages are with nature-lovers and those who enjoy the sensation of sailing on a graceful tall ship in the tropics.”

Meanwhile, Star Flyer will continue to operate in-depth Cuba voyages from Havana and Cienfuegos for the winter of 2016/17, interspersed with longer cruises taking in St Maarten and the Panama Canal. Royal Clipper will sail from Barbados all season, exploring the Grenadines and the British Virgin Islands, with two extended 14-night voyages to the ‘ABC Islands’ (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) and extended voyages to accommodate Christmas and New Year.

Holland America Line names Captain Emiel de Vries master of new Koningsdam

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 May 2015 21 May 2015

When Holland America Line’s Koningsdam sets sail in April 2016, Captain Emiel de Vries will be in command. Having been with the company since 1997, de Vries rose through the ranks from fourth officer to captain and has been master of Amsterdam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Zuiderdam.

De Vries currently lives near Venice, Italy, to be close to the Fincantieri shipyard where Koningsdam is being built. He has been involved with the newbuild project since 2014 and participated in the functional design of the navigation bridge — his “office” when he is onboard.

“With his knowledge, experience and dedication, Captain de Vries is the perfect choice to be at the helm when we introduce Koningsdam to the world,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “Captain de Vries’ leadership and graciousness with both guests and crew will contribute greatly to the success of our new ship.”

Hailing from the Netherlands, de Vries grew up just east of Amsterdam. He graduated from the Hogere Zeevaart School in Amsterdam, one of the oldest nautical schools in the world, with degrees in navigation and engineering. De Vries was introduced to Holland America Line in 1995 when he interned as a cadet on the former ms Noordam, and since joining the company, he has sailed on every class of Holland America Line’s ships.

“It is an honor to be named the first captain of the new Koningsdam, and I know bringing out the ship will be one of the highlights of my career,” said de Vries. “Being at the shipyard has enabled me to gain detailed insight into many areas of the ship, and I look forward to welcoming the first guests on board during the inaugural season.”

When not in Italy at the shipyard, de Vries lives in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, with his wife, Susan, and their daughter.

Magellan to operate CMV 2017 world cruise

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 May 2015 21 May 2015

Cruise & Maritime Voyages, the UK based destinational cruise shipping company, will send its largest vessel for a world cruise in 2017.

The 46,052 gross ton Magellan will sail from London Tilbury on 05 January and sail westbound via Panama to New Zealand and Australia and then head back to the UK via India and Suez. The ship will return to London Tilbury on 05 April. A number of segments of the voyage are available as well.

The company will operate its first world cruise in the coming winter, when the 20,636 gross ton Astor will sail from the UK to Australia via Panama and then spend the Austral summer cruising from Fremantle. The ship will return to Britain via South Africa. A similar schedule has been published on the company's website for the winter 2016-17.

Alastair Marsh to succeed Richard Sadler as CEO of Lloyd's Register

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 May 2015 20 May 2015

Lloyd’s Register’s Richard Sadler has taken the decision to step down as CEO at the end of 2015, after eight years in the role. The Lloyd’s Register Group Ltd Board of Directors has announced the appointment of current CFO, Alastair Marsh, as his successor.

Since Richard Sadler’s appointment as CEO in 2007, he and the executive team have implemented a group strategy that has seen Lloyd’s Register (LR) diversify its service portfolio and grow to a £1bn turnover business. This period saw the creation of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation in 2012, maximising the group’s contribution to society, and technology leadership through LR’s Global Technology Centres in Southampton and Singapore.

After eight years in the role, Richard indicated to the Board that he would like to step down and pursue new challenges. The Board started the process to search for and appoint a new CEO to write the next chapter of LR’s 255 year history.

Over the past six months, the Board of Directors have conducted an internal and external review of potential successors and have unanimously agreed that Alastair Marsh possesses the capability and leadership to take on the role as LR’s next CEO.

Alastair Marsh joined LR as Group Financial Controller in April 2007 and was appointed as Group Finance Director in April 2008. Previously he held a number of senior financial management positions, including CFO and Company Secretary of Superscape Group plc, and prior to that he held similar roles at Easynet Group plc, Laporte plc, and NCR Corporation.

Alastair is a graduate in Business Studies & Accounting from Edinburgh University and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. He worked with Price Waterhouse for five years, in both their Edinburgh and Brisbane offices, on a broad range of audit and corporate finance clients, covering a wide range of industries. Alastair also sits on the Board as Executive Director and a number of Boards of subsidiary companies.

Richard and Alastair have forged a very effective partnership over the past seven years. Alastair’s deep knowledge and understanding of LR’s business, markets and clients will ensure a smooth succession. Richard will pass the CEO role to Alastair on the 1 October 2015 and commence a formal handover period until the end of December 2015. Simon Nice, currently Group FP&A Director, will take up the role of Interim Group Financial Director during the transition.

Richard Sadler said: “When I was appointed in 2007, I made a public commitment that I would serve as CEO for five years. After eight years in the role I believe it is now time to step down to pursue new challenges while I’m still young enough. It has been a great honour to serve as CEO of LR – it is a unique organisation with a history, purpose and values of which I am immensely proud”.

Having joined LR in 1976 from the Royal Navy, Richard worked in the marine, industrial and offshore sectors before moving overseas for 12 years. He returned to the UK in 1995 as Corporate IT Business Manager and held a number of posts before becoming Marine General Manager, London in 2000. Richard moved to the Royal Bank of Scotland in 2004 as Director Ship Asset Management, and re-joined LR in 2006 as EMEA Director. He formally took up the position of CEO on 1 July 2007.

Alastair Marsh said: “I feel very privileged to have been asked by the LR Board to take over from Richard as CEO. I am passionate about LR as an organisation and I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead LR through what promises to be exciting and challenging times ahead for the clients and industries we serve.”

LR’s Chairman, Thomas Thune Andersen, said: “I would like to thank Richard for his dedication, vision, drive and passion in leading LR over the past seven years. I have every confidence that Alastair will uphold LR’s values and build on Richard’s achievements to ensure the continued success of LR”.

Updated: Norwegian Dawn runs aground in Bermuda

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 May 2015 20 May 2015

Norwegian Cruise Line statement, May 20, 2015:

As of 7:00 am ET on Wednesday, May 20th, Norwegian Dawn docked alongside at Heritage Wharf in Bermuda.

Norwegian's officers, engineers and lead technical teams, along with DNVGL inspectors, representing the ship's classification society and a team of independent divers, are working on a complete assessment of the vessel.

The ship is fully operational and guests are enjoying all onboard amenities and services. In addition, guests have the opportunity go ashore to enjoy the island this morning.

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On Tuesday, May 19th at approximately 5:00 pm ET, Norwegian Dawn had a temporary malfunction of its steering system, causing the ship to sail slightly off course as the ship was departing Bermuda, resulting in the vessel making contact with the sea bed. All guests and crew are safe and there were absolutely no injuries, Norwegian Cruise Line said in a statement.

"The ship's officers, engineers and an independent dive team have confirmed the structural integrity of the ship. With high-tide last evening, the ship was floated and moved to a nearby anchorage position where it will remain overnight. The ship will be thoroughly inspected in Bermuda by DNVGL, the ship's classification society, before returning to Boston. The ship is fully operational with the full complement of onboard services available to guests," the company said

The ship is sailing on a seven-night Boston to Bermuda cruise with 2,443 passengers and 1,059 crew. We will provide additional updates in the morning when more information becomes available.