Damen cuts first steel on four full electric ferries for BC Ferries

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 18 July 2024 18 July 2024

Damen Shipyards Group has celebrated a milestone moment for maritime sustainability at its Romanian yard, Damen Shipyards Galati. On 16th of July, the yard cut first steel on the first two of four, fully electric Island Class Ferries that it is building for Canada-based BC Ferries. The ferries will be the first fully electric vessels to operate in the company’s fleet.

Operating with battery packs with the capacity to supply the power train with 2,000 kilowatt-hour of electricity, the vessels will carry up to 47 vehicles and 390 passengers.

Complete maritime solution

As a complete maritime solutions provider, Damen will also supply BC Ferries with the required charging towers. The ferries will recharge efficiently during (dis)embarkation of passengers, using renewable electricity.

The vessels are based on Damen’s double-ended RoRo 8113 E3 model. The design features Damen’s in-house quality label E3, standing for Environmentally Friendly, Efficient in Operation and Economically Viable.

Growing Damen ferry fleet

The commonality of the design offers BC Ferries a number of advantages. Amongst these is the increasing standardisation and interoperability of the fleet, which makes deployment and training of crew more efficient. The ferries will take the number of Damen vessels in the BC Ferries fleet to ten.

Representing BC Ferries at the steel cutting ceremony were Project Program Manager David Tolman and Executive Director Shipbuilding Ed Hooper, who said, “These vessels represent a significant advancement in our fleet renewal efforts, aligning with our strategic vision for operational excellence and sustainability. The start of construction brings us one step closer to realising the benefits these vessels will bring to our customers and the communities that rely on us to get them where they need to go.”

Mark Vermeulen, Damen’s Managing Director Offshore & Specialised Vessels, said, “We are thankful for the trust that BC ferries has shown to Damen with this new contract for another four vessels. Damen has already built six vessels with hybrid propulsion for BC ferries. This project with full electric vessels is a step towards zero emissions ferries for the future – an achievement aligned with the sustainability goals of both BC Ferries and Damen.”

Superior travel experience

BC Ferries is committed to delivering a superior travel experience while upholding its responsibility to the environment. The organisation is supporting British Columbia’s CleanBC goals and aims to reduce emissions by 10,000 tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030. Damen has set itself the goal to become the most sustainable maritime solutions provider.

The ferries will operate services connecting Nanaimo with Gabriola Island, and Campbell River with Quadra Island. They are scheduled to commence operations by 2027.

Cruise and maritime industry set recommendations to accelerate path to net zero

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 16 July 2024 16 July 2024

Driven by a collective objective to help further the maritime and cruise industry’s decarbonization goals, more than 70 maritime leaders met earlier this week at a Decarbonization Summit hosted by Royal Caribbean Group in collaboration with the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.

Cutting across the maritime ecosystem from technology developers and fuel providers to shipbuilders, ship operators and ports, the Summit’s conversations focused on three key areas including technology development, alternative fuel opportunities and policy and regulation.

“Achieving net zero is not something any one company can do alone – it requires collective problem solving, creative thinking, and a willingness to have tough conversations,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “This week we have put steps in place to catalyze an open dialogue that will foster the thinking necessary to develop an environment where net zero is attainable and sustainable.”

The Summit concluded with three key advancement areas to help the industry usher in a new era of collaboration to achieve net zero in the next 25 years. They are:

– Technology: Discussions zeroed in on the creation of an independent network or platform to enable the maritime industry to share important findings regarding pilot and testing programs.

– Fuel: Participants called for the formation of an independent third party-hosted platform to aggregate low carbon fuel demand by location. The aggregator would provide insights that would enable the industry to better prepare for the supply of alternative fuels.

– Policy: Summit participants agreed that a set of principles that outlines critical policy actions needed to support the industry’s shared goal for decarbonization should be developed to inform progress for the International Maritime Organization (IMO). 

“The shipping industry is in a critically important phase where the pathway to a sustainable future is now being shaped by concrete plans and actions. The cruise industry faces its own needs and opportunities on the road to decarbonization but also holds a lot of valuable insights that can benefit of the rest of the maritime industry,” shared Bo Cerup-Simonsen, CEO, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping. “With this event Royal Caribbean Group demonstrates exemplary first mover leadership by taking responsibility beyond their own agenda, fostering important in-depth discussions, collaboration, knowledge sharing and action across the ecosystem to further strengthen the acceleration towards a decarbonized maritime industry.”

Apollo Funds to acquire The Travel Corporation

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 16 July 2024 16 July 2024

Apollo and The Travel Corporation today announced they have entered into definitive agreement for Apollo-managed funds (the Apollo Funds) to acquire TTC, which has been privately owned and operated for more than a century.

The transaction is comprised of 18 leading brands, including Trafalgar, a leading escorted tour operator; Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, a luxury all-inclusive river cruise line; Contiki, youth travel specialist tour company; premium guided vacation company, Insight Vacations; as well as other global travel brands and supporting business entities.

TTC Chairman Brett Tollman said, “For more than 104 years our family has built TTC into an industry leader known for exceptional service and innovation. Without a next generation to lead TTC, the time has come in our strategic succession plan to select a new owner with a proven track record and who shares in our vision and customer-first values. We will support a seamless transition and are confident the team at Apollo will continue driving the business forward to meet growing global demand for touring, river cruising and specialist and adventure travel.”

Apollo Private Equity Partner Michele Raba said, “TTC has a leading collection of brands that we believe we can take to the next level as an Apollo Funds portfolio company, leveraging our extensive experience in the travel, tech and hospitality sectors. We’d like to thank the Tollman family for trusting in our good stewardship of the business they’ve built for more than a century and look forward to an exciting next chapter in which TTC can serve as a platform for growth.”

The transaction is subject to satisfaction of certain closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024. Certain brands are not included in the sale, notably The Red Carnation Hotel Collection and will remain under the continued stewardship of the Tollman family. Financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

Sidley Austin LLP is serving as legal counsel to the Apollo Funds. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is serving as legal counsel to TTC; Zaoui & Co served as TTC’s financial advisor.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection takes delivery of Ilma

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 15 July 2024 15 July 2024

Ilma, the second ultra-luxury superyacht from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, has officially joined the fleet. Company officials took delivery of its newest yacht at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint- Nazaire, France, on July 12, 2024. After two years of construction, the delivery ceremony marked the final build milestone, celebrated with several maritime traditions, including the changing of flags on board the yacht and a celebratory toast on top of Ilma’s expansive pool deck.

The delivery ceremony was attended by company leadership from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, including Jim Murren, Executive Chairman and CEO, and Ernesto Fara, President and CFO, along with representatives from Chantiers de l’Atlantique, including Laurent Castaing, General Manager, and Arnaud Le Joncour, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Project Director. Also in attendance was Captain Steve MacBeath and over 350 of the yacht’s Ladies and Gentlemen, who will participate in a series of preparation voyages before welcoming guests for Ilma’s maiden voyage from Monte Carlo on September 2, 2024.

“Today marks the culmination of a shared vision and the relentless pursuit of excellence, a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of all those involved,” said Jim Murren, Executive Chairman and CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. “We are deeply grateful to the exceptional teams here at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, whose hard work and passion have brought this vision to life.”

“Ilma represents a collaboration of two likeminded organizations committed to excellence, offering the best in both hospitality and shipbuilding. The design and construction of Ilma has been a distinctive project for Chantiers de l’Atlantique that has elevated the highest luxury standards in terms of guest experience, technical innovation, and craftsmanship,” said Arnaud Le Joncour, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing of Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Program Director. “We are incredibly proud to deliver an ultra- luxury cruise product that achieves both elegance and performance.”

Ilma, named after the Maltese word for “water,” will measure 790 feet (241 meters) and accommodate up to 448 guests across its 224 elegantly appointed suites. Each airy suite features floor-to-ceiling windows and a private terrace with sweeping sea views, connecting travelers with the shores they are sailing. With one of the highest space ratios at sea, Ilma includes two new, spacious upper category suites offering ample outdoor space to lounge and soak in the enchanting scenery.

Harmoniously blending contemporary craftsmanship with a relaxed ambiance, Ilma showcases refined interior finishes envisioned by renowned London-based architectural and design firm AD Associates and award-winning lighting designer DPA. The yacht’s exteriors reflect the vision of Helsinki-based design studio, Aivan, drawing inspiration from the graceful aesthetics of private yacht design. Continuing to bring the legendary service of The Ritz-Carlton to sea, the yacht boasts one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios in the luxury cruising category, providing nearly one staff member for every guest.

In addition to unparalleled accommodations, Ilma features five restaurants, seven bars, a wine vault, and signature spaces such as an expanded Marina with a mezzanine feature and The Ritz-Carlton Spa® with 11 treatment rooms. The yacht’s amenities include three distinct fitness spaces and a dynamic pool and entertainment area on Deck 10. A reimagined onboard destination is the Beach House, a vibrant Pan-Latin restaurant and global beach-house inspired lounge space conceptualized with Toronto-based luxury design firm Chapi Chapo Design, which will transport guests to a waterfront haven with 180-degree views.

Reaffirming The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s commitment to implementing more sustainable practices, Ilma features four dual-fuel engines utilizing liquefied natural gas (LNG) as its main fuel source. Additionally, Ilma is equipped with the latest in energy efficiency measures and advanced water treatment systems, with the goal of minimizing environmental impact.

Ilma will build on The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s vision of reimagining luxury cruising, offering travelers more opportunities to enjoy the highly tailored itineraries for which the company is recognized. Ilma will join the company’s inaugural yacht, Evima, in sailing to iconic yachting destinations and hidden gems throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean. In the summer of 2025, Ilma will explore the North and Baltic Seas of Northern Europe, offering guests the opportunity to discover dynamic cities like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Reykjavík, and more.