Bureau Veritas in world’s first international rescue exercise in a polar zone

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 16 December 2021 16 December 2021

Bureau Veritas (BV), a world leader in testing, inspection, and certification, has recently participated in the world’s first international search and rescue exercise (SAREX) in a remote polar zone. BV tested and certified maritime safety equipment onboard the polar exploration vessel Le Commandant Charcot, during a trial voyage to the North Pole organised by leading cruise ship operator PONANT.

The search and rescue exercise was performed to identify and address the challenges, constraints and opportunities involved in Arctic Massive Rescue Operations (AMRO) in remote polar areas, in order to support safe navigation in polar waters. The exercise brought together teams from Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Canada, the United States and Norway. This international initiative involved academic experts, the ship’s officers and crew, as well as remotely connected teams and head office managements.

The field exercise itself gathered a group of 67 people, who were tasked with setting up a polar survival camp to last over a 24-hour period on the ice, among other tasks. For BV, the exercise was an ideal opportunity to test all rescue and safety equipment, particularly the ‘Ice Cube’, camp kit, group survival kit, floating polar shelters, and survival suits. The conclusions were very positive with all equipment tested exceeding safety criteria and standards and those required by the tourism industry (IAATO and AECO).

The outcomes of the SAREX will be shared with polar environment experts to support better understanding of the impact of extended periods of time spent on polar ice. The outcomes will also help the expedition cruise industry and rescue centres across the world to devise new safety strategies and improve their understanding of the potential impacts of a crisis situation in extreme polar conditions.

Laurent Leblanc, Senior Vice President Technical & Operations at Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, commented: “Being part of this important search and rescue exercise has enabled us to further understand what is at stake in polar conditions. We were pleased to be able to support PONANT with our polar expertise to help ensure safety in polar operations. Given the extreme conditions of the polar environment, safety is an absolute priority and can be a matter of life or death. Bureau Veritas continues to demonstrate its leadership on matters related to safety in polar waters, the outcomes of the exercise have been extremely positive. This should give cruise passengers and governments increased confidence in the safety of polar voyages.”

Mathieu Petiteau, Newbuilding Director at PONANT, said: “We are proud to partner with BV and a range of international partners on this milestone exercise, which once more raises the bar for maritime safety and standards in polar tourism. Safety is paramount when navigating in the challenging waters surrounding the poles, and at PONANT we are dedicated to protect the health and safety of our passengers and crew, as well as safeguarding the pristine polar environments. In line with our commitment to sustainable tourism, our vessel Le Commandant Charcot is powered by electricity and LNG, and is fitted with facilities and equipments that support scientific research on the polar ecosystems.”

Le Ponant to be refurbished prior to summer season in Adriatic

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 15 December 2021 15 December 2021

 

Le Ponant, the three masted sailing vessel of the French expedition cruise line Ponant, is undergoing a transformation to offer guests an exclusive travel experience, the company said in a statement. 

The 1991 built ship of 1,489 gross tons would be entirely refurbished with a sophisticated new design by Jean-Philippe Nuel studio. 

“From June 2022, this legendary sailing ship will set sail again, offering tailor-made itineraries off the beaten track in Greece and Croatia. Sales are now open for 20 departures and 3 new itineraries. On the programme, exclusive ports of call, sublime and wild landscapes, and a series of immersive activities including glass-bottomed kayaking, snorkelling, stand up paddleboarding, cycling and hiking, all in tune with nature,” Poignant said.

Nor- Shipping 2022 postponed to April

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 15 December 2021 15 December 2021

Nor-Shipping 2022 will now take place from 4-7 April instead of 10 to 13 January, organisers of the major maritime event in Norway said in a statement.

“After the difficult decision to cancel its scheduled January exhibition and event programme, Your Arena for Ocean Solutions will now gather the global maritime and ocean industries in Oslo and Lillestrøm in the spring. The rescheduled date will allow for freer international travel, less social distancing, and a more vibrant networking, knowledge sharing and business platform,” the organisers said..

 Face-to-face with the future

 “It gives me great pleasure to confirm this date and inform the industry that, although we’ve been delayed, they won’t have to wait too long to gather again,” commented Sidsel Norvik, Director, Nor-Shipping. “It was obviously disappointing to postpone the January programme, but the power of Nor-Shipping lies in its ability to bring diverse stakeholders face-to-face, build relationships, share solutions, inspire one another, and do business. That would have been impossible under the current Omicron restrictions.

 

“This move allows authorities here, and abroad, to control the situation, while also shifting our activity to a time of the year when infection rates are naturally lower. Good things come to those who wait… and we believe the energy and enthusiasm that will be released when we finally come together again will be electric. This is something the industry can really look forward to.”

 

Positive focus

 

Exhibitors and ticket holders that have made bookings will have them seamlessly transferred to the new date, while a revamped activity programme – including the prestigious Ocean Leadership Conference and innovative Blue Talks – is currently being finalised. The last Nor-Shipping in 2019 brought around 900 exhibiting companies and 50,000 international decision makers to Norway to connect, collaborate and do deals.

Havila Capella enters service on Norwegian coast

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 13 December 2021 13 December 2021

Havila Capella, the first of four 15,800 gross ton vessels for Havila Voyages, a new Norwegian company,   has entered service on the Norwegian coast, the company said in a statement

“As we have established a new shipping company and built the first new ship in eighteen years with three more new ships in store, I think we should dare to say that the 12.12.21 is a historic day both for Havila Voyages and for the coastal route Bergen-Kirkenes,” said Bent Martini, CEO of the company..

Havila Voyages has spent around NOK 500 million to make the ships environmentally friendly. Among other things, the plug-in hybrid ships have the world's largest battery packs designed for passenger ships. They weigh 86 tons and have a capacity of 6.1 megawatt hours which is equivalent to 600 top of the range Teslas.

“The batteries allow us to sail for four hours without noise and emissions, and we can sail quietly and sustainably through world heritage fjords and pristine nature,” he said.

The battery packs are just one of several measures that mean that our ships cut NOx emissions by around 90% and CO2 emissions by around 25%. The food concept on board with no buffets and where guests are personally served at their tables for all meals also means that Havila Voyages will cut food waste by a total of 60 tonnes per year.