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New proposal to save the United States ocean liner

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 02 November 2023 02 November 2023

The SS United States, America’s Flagship, could return home to New York as a transformative economic development project unveiled today by the SS United States Conservancy, the owner of the famed vessel.

The plan, developed in conjunction with two prominent New York firms, RXR and MCR Hotels, would repurpose the legendary ocean liner as a unique, mixed-use destination, including a 1,000 key hotel, numerous food and beverage destinations, multiple event venues, acres of public green space, and a world-class museum. The project could be a capstone to a decades-long effort to protect and revitalize the Hudson River waterfront, create thousands of new jobs, and generate millions in tax revenue annually.

During her storied service career, the SS United States smashed the transatlantic speed record in 1952 using only two-thirds of her power, a record that has never been broken. From her Hudson River berth, she carried more than one million passengers, from celebrities and royalty to immigrants and tourists. She was also a top-secret convertible troop transport that could rush 14,000 troops 10,000 miles without refueling.

The release of a redevelopment plan comes at a time when the SS United States is in peril. The ship faces possible eviction from her current pier in Philadelphia. The vessel’s landlord doubled the Conservancy’s rent without notice during the coronavirus pandemic, placing significant financial strain on the organization. The Conservancy is presently in litigation on the matter, with a trial date slated for early December.

The conceptual plan for a privately funded, commercial redevelopment identified Manhattan’s Hudson River as the optimal “home port” for the vessel, due to its proximity to transportation and pedestrian access to the Javits Convention Center. The project would entail the redesign and reconstruction of adjacent piers, which would create acres of new public green space aboard the vessel and adjoining areas. The ship’s transformative potential is not restricted to New York. Other locations and port cities could benefit from the ship’s commercial revitalization and iconic status.

RXR and MCR developed full schematic design drawings, extensive engineering and construction feasibility diligence in consultation with U.S. shipyards, a financial analysis to demonstrate the project’s commercial viability, and an assessment of the permitting and regulatory requirements to advance the redevelopment program. The project diligence team included Gibbs & Cox, the vessel’s original design firm, Perkins Eastman and HLW architects, and local land use and regulatory counsel.

The overall program was informed by MCR and RXR’s extensive experience redeveloping iconic, historic properties in New York, including Eero Saarinen’s landmark 1962 TWA Flight Center and hotel at JFK Airport as well as Manhattan’s historic Pier 57.

The Conservancy is now seeking state and local interest from New York or other potential cities to advance its plan at a host pier location. The nonprofit organization and its development team are prepared to donate the ship and the design and engineering work completed to date to expedite progress in securing a prime location for the vessel’s revitalization.

“The SS United States symbolizes the nation’s ambition and innovation. Our development partners have embraced the patriotic and economic significance of this monumental project. Through their extensive due diligence, they have created a bold and exciting plan that preserves the ship’s history and activates the vessel’s commercial potential,” said Susan Gibbs, president of the SS United States Conservancy, the national nonprofit organization that has worked tirelessly to save it for more than a decade.

The ship was once a global ambassador of her namesake nation, and her red, white, and blue funnels were a source of pride and inspiration following the devastation of WWII. Although the Jet Age silenced her engines in 1969, the SS United States continues to represent an inspiring synthesis of post-war technological innovation, mid-century modern design, as well as the nation’s enduring ambition, resilience, and optimism.

“The Conservancy’s partners and passionate supporters from across the country and around the world have created a viable path forward to save the SS United States,” added Gibbs, the granddaughter of the ship’s original designer. “But we are quickly running out of time. We know this can be a viable, transformative project. Let’s rally together to secure a home for America’s Flagship.”

Disney Cruise Line embarks on inaugural season from Australia

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 October 2023 29 October 2023

Disney Cruise Line reached a new milestone on October 28, setting sail from the shores of Australia for the first time and embarking on an inaugural season of ‘Disney Magic at Sea’ cruises for families in Australia and New Zealand.

The special sailings aboard the Disney Wonder range from 2 to 6 nights and depart from four home ports: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia, as well as Auckland, New Zealand, through February 2024. ‘Disney Magic at Sea’ cruises offer guests the opportunity to explore new destinations along with the unique spaces, immersive dining and world-class entertainment that define a Disney Cruise Line vacation.

In fall of 2024, Disney Cruise Line will return to Australia and New Zealand for a second season of vacations after a set of bucket-list itineraries. The Disney Wonder will sail from Vancouver, Canada, to Honolulu, Hawaii, in late September 2024 with stops on the islands of Kauai, Maui and Hawaii before arriving in Oahu. From Hawaii, families will set sail on a transpacific voyage to Sydney, Australia, that will take them through the South Pacific to visit once-in-a-lifetime destinations such as Fiji, American Samoa and New Caledonia.

Carnival Jubilee scheduled to leave Papenburg on October 30

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 October 2023 29 October 2023

Meyer Werft's newest cruise ship, the Carnival Jubilee, is scheduled to leave Papenburg on Monday 30 October 2023 and will be transferred to Eemshaven (Netherlands) on the river Ems. Arrival in Eemshaven is scheduled for early Tuesday morning, October 31. After the technical and nautical trials, the Carnival Jubilee will set course for Eemshaven again.

The Carnival Jubilee is the first cruise ship built in Germany for Carnival Cruise Line. Within the Meyer Group, it is also the third ship of the Excel class: the Finnish shipyard Meyer Turku already delivered the Mardi Gras in 2020, followed by the Carnival Celebration in 2022. All three ships are equipped with low-emission LNG. The highlight for passengers is a roller coaster on board for the first time.

The following schedule applies to the Ems conveyance, which may be postponed at short notice according to weather and tidal conditions:

Monday, October 30, 2023

from approx. 09:30am Ship in waiting position (Papenburg)

approx. 12:00pm Passing the dock lock (Papenburg)

approx. 4:35pm Passing the Friesenbrücke (Weener)

approx. 7:45pm Passing the Jann-Berghaus-Bridge (Leer)

approx. 11.15pm Arrival at the Ems barrage (Gandersum)

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

approx. 01:30am Passing Emssperrwerk

approx. 03:15am Passing Emden

All information is subject to wind and weather conditions, water levels and therefore without guarantee. Time shifts are also possible at short notice!

Carnival Jubilee will sail the Ems towards the North Sea again backwards and with the support of two tugs. This way of transfer has proven to be successful due to the better maneuverability.

The transfer of the ship will again be carried out by the team of the pilot brotherhood Emden. The Ems pilots have been performing the maneuvers for many years. The team uses state-of-the-art technology to prepare for a realistic simulation of the Ems river passage in Wageningen (Netherlands).

The passage of Carnival Jubilee down the Ems will take place with the support of the Ems barrage. The duration of the passage will always be kept as short as possible so as not to interfere with navigation on the Ems.

Carnival Freedom returns to service with new look – and new funnel

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 October 2023 29 October 2023

Once again sporting an iconic winged funnel, Carnival Freedom marked its return to service by welcoming guests on board in Barcelona, Spain for a 14-day transatlantic voyage to its homeport of Port Canaveral, Fla. The ship underwent an extensive refurbishment that included the installation of the new funnel, the addition of the signature Carnival red, white and blue hull livery and other enhancements.

Earlier this month, the 2,980-guest ship entered its 16-day dry dock at the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain. The ship’s vibrant transformation is a significant milestone for the shipyard. While the yard’s team members have worked on other projects across the fleet, this is the first time they have designed and manufactured a Carnival funnel.

Among the other enhancements is a newly installed Heroes Tribute Bar, which is an expanding venue across the Carnival fleet and honors military veterans and active-duty service members. Carnival Freedom now also features a Dreams Studio, where guests can capture memories that become keepsakes from their cruise with the help of Carnival’s photography staff. Some of the other work includes an expansion to the ship’s casino, and renovations and upgrades across the ship’s staterooms and public areas.

Carnival Freedom’s two-week-long transatlantic Carnival Journeys cruise from Spain is offering guests an unforgettable journey that includes visits to Valencia, Malaga and Las Palmas, Spain as well as Bermuda. From Port Canaveral, the ship offers four- and five-day sailings to destinations in The Bahamas, such as Nassau and Princess Cays, as well as other Caribbean destinations, including Grand Turk. Many new itineraries were recently opened for the ship, and among them are sailings that feature Carnival’s upcoming exclusive destination, Celebration Key, as a port of call beginning in 2025.

Rauma shipyard celebrates the launch and christening of Spirit of Tasmania IV

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 October 2023 27 October 2023

Today, Rauma shipyard celebrated the launch and christening of 48,000 gross ton Spirit of Tasmania IV, a vessel Rauma Marine Constructions is building for the Tasmanian TT-Line Company. The ship is the first of two identical car and passenger ferries that will replace similarly Finnish-built sister ships.

The new vessels will operate on an extremely challenging route across the Bass Strait between Geelong, Victoria, and Devonport, Tasmania. The ferries have been specially designed to undertake this specific route.

The Spirit of Tasmania IV was christened at the RMC shipyard. The vessel’s godmother is Deborah Grainger from Australia. The christening was done using locally produced sparkling wine from Tasmania, Jansz Vintage Cuvee.

The keel laying of the newly launched Spirit of Tasmania IV was celebrated at Rauma shipyard exactly one year ago in October 2022. The production of the vessel’s sister ship, Spirit of Tasmania V, was celebrated with a traditional steel cutting ceremony in December 2022.

“We are excited to start a new phase in the construction of the vessel as the work shifts from building the ship’s hull to interior work and systems implementation. This also means that we are able to start constructing the second vessel’s hull in the construction pool," says Johanna Kaijo, Project Manager of Spirit of Tasmania at RMC.

After the launch, the work will shift from hull construction to equipment assembly and interior work. The focus will be on finishing plumbing and electrics as well as interior design for the hotel area. Furthermore, the work around the vessel’s engine room and car deck will continue. The equipment assembly phase will continue with the implementation of various systems, culminating in sea trials conducted before the handing out of the vessel.

TT-Line Company is a significant player in maritime transport between mainland Australia and Tasmania, and the large-scale project is the biggest individual foreign sale between Australia and Finland. The company employs over 600 people and transports over 450,000 passengers annually. Spirit of Tasmania is widely recognised for its contribution to the Australian tourism industry and for fostering economic development by providing world-class passenger and freight services.

RMC building three vessels side by side

The construction of the two vessels will create a total of around 3,500 person-years’ worth of employment at the Rauma shipyard between 2021 and 2024. Rauma shipyard will soon see the construction of three ships simultaneously as the construction of the first multi-role corvettes for the Finnish Navy will begin on 30 October 2023. The project comprises four vessels in total. The project will be finished in its entirety by 2029, and its direct impact on employment in Finland is approximately 3,600 person-years.

Entirely domestically owned, RMC has an orderbook worth approximately EUR 1.2 billion that extends all the way to the year 2028.

Before the Spirit of Tasmania vessels, RMC has built several technologically advanced commercial vessels. Last year, RMC handed over to Tallink Silja the energy-efficient car and passenger ferry MyStar that operates the route between Tallinn, Estonia, and Helsinki, Finland. In 2021, RMC handed over to Wasaline the car and passenger ferry Aurora Botnia which has won international awards for its sustainability.

“We at Rauma work every day to enhance our expertise in shipbuilding, striving to become stronger and more modern,” says Mika Nieminen, CEO and President of RMC.