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Helsinki Shipyard lays keel of second Swan Hellenic ship

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 February 2021 11 February 2021

Helsinki Shipyard has laid the keel of SH Vega, the second of three expedition ships to be operated by Swan Hellenic, the Nicosia based company.

“The keel was laid in accordance with seafaring tradition and current COVID-19 restrictions, immediately receiving the outfitted and painted block 302 which had arrived at the shipyard last weekend," Swan Hellenic said in a statement

The ceremony included the customary placement of coins, with Helsinki Shipyard Project Manager Jonas Packalén, Lloyd´s Register representative Jukka Hujanen and Helsinki Shipyard Chairman Victor Olersky doing the honours.

Named after the first vessel to navigate the Arctic Northeast Passage, the elegant new ship represents the next generation of polar expedition vessels, having been designed for worldwide cruising with a strong focus on high-latitude areas.

SH Vega will feature a 5-megawatt diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system with selective catalytic reduction, 3-megawatt max. battery package and PC5 ice-strengthened hull. At 113 m, the 10,500-ton vessel has been specially designed to explore the most inaccessible and inspiring places in the world.

Providing accommodation for 152 guests in 76 spacious staterooms and suites, the vast majority with large balconies, SH Vega will be operated by an onboard team of 120.

SH Minerva, the first ship in the series, will be delivered in November 2021, while Vega is due early the following year. The third vessel, which will be somewhat larger than her sisters, is scheduled for delivery just months later, towards the end of 2022.

“New builds Minerva and Vega are designed for extreme weather conditions, from the heavy ice of the polar regions to the heat and humidity of the tropics. And they’re naturally designed to respect the sensitive ecosystems of the unspoilt regions they explore,” commented Project Manager Jonas Packalén.

Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito congratulated the Helsinki team on their outstanding support: “Delivering to such a demanding schedule while maintaining the highest quality standards is a fantastic achievement. We’re honoured and thrilled to take Swan Hellenic into its next chapter with such fine ships and look forward to welcoming you on board to see what others don’t!”

Stena Line plans to order two 200 metre long battery powered ferries in 2025

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 February 2021 09 February 2021

Stena Line, the Swedish ferry company, said it plans to start operating two fossil-free battery powered vessels on the route between Gothenburg and Frederikshavn in Denmark no later than 2030.

This was announced by Stena Line’s CEO Niclas Mårtensson during a press conference about the industry collaboration project Tranzero Initiative, in Gothenburg on 4 February.

In an effort to speed up the transition to fossil-free fuels in the transport sector, Stena Line together with Volvo Group, Scania and the Port of Gothenburg have joined forces in the Tranzero Initiative collaboration project to bring about a significant reduction in carbon emissions linked to the largest port in the Scandinavia. The aim is to cut emissions by 70 per cent by 2030 in the Port of Gothenburg.

“We now move from vision to vessel with the battery powered vessel Stena Elektra. Within a year we will present the outline specifications and at the latest by 2025 we plan to order the first vessel. This will be a huge step towards fossil free shipping”, said Niclas Mårtensson, CEO Stena Line Group and member of the Swedish Government Electrification Commission.

Stena Elektra will be the world’s first fossil free RoPax vessel of its size and will measure approximately 200 metres and combine a passenger capacity of 1000 with 3000 lane metres freight capacity. The vessel will be built in high tensile steel to lower the weight and increase efficiency and it is estimated the vessel will run on battery power for approximately 50 nautical miles, the distance between Gothenburg and Frederikshavn.

The battery capacity will need to be approximately 60-70 MWh and the vessel will be charged in port. Stena Line also looking into combining the electrification with other alternative fossil free fuels such as fuel cells, hydrogen and bio methanol for longer reach of the vessels.

”The electrification of shipping has only just began. We see a great potential for both battery hybrids and battery powered vessels on several of our short-sea shipping routes in the future. But, it takes more than the electrical ships, we also need to develop the infrastructure and charging possibilities in the ports and terminals in the same pace and that is a reason why collaborations projects like this are so important, said Mårtensson.

Swan Hellenic extends strategic partnerships to Nordic countries

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 February 2021 09 February 2021

Swan Hellenic, the Nicosia based expedition cruise line, said it has extended its network of marketing partners by signing a strategic partnership agreement with Nordic Cruise GSA (NCG), to provide a direct presence in Scandinavia, including Iceland.

NCG offers the highest standards of service and knowhow, with its founder and CEO, Jesper Boas Smith having over 26 years’ experience across the travel sector, representing together with his team many of the world’s leading Cruise companies in Scandinavia, the company said in a statement

“The partnership is a strategic agreement in line with Swan Hellenic’s long-term vision and global strategic positioning and distribution model approach of establishing Swan Hellenic’s a direct presence in selected every markets worldwide to offer the close personal service to which it is committed,” it said

Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito commented: “We’re truly delighted to have Jesper and his agent network on board, believing strongly in the immense potential of the Scandinavian market both now and above all in the future. It was essential for us to have a truly capable expert partner based in Copenhagen the hub of Great North.”

Smith said: “We are honoured to represent Swan Hellenic Cruises in Scandinavia and the Nordic Territories. We look forward to being a part of the Swan Hellenic family and making sure Swan Hellenic becomes a well-known, high-end brand within expedition cruising in the Nordic Area.”

Canada bans cruise vessels, pleasure craft for one year

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 February 2021 05 February 2021

The Government of Canada continues to monitor the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it is having on the marine and tourism sectors. Keeping Canadians and transportation workers safe and healthy are top priorities for Transport Canada.

On February 4, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced two new Interim Orders, which prohibit pleasure craft in Canadian Arctic waters and cruise vessels in all Canadian waters until February 28, 2022. This means:

– Adventure-seeking pleasure craft are still prohibited from entering Arctic waters.
– Passenger vessels carrying more than 12 people are still prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters, including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and the Labrador Coast.
– Cruise vessels carrying more than 100 people are still prohibited from operating in Canadian waters.

Pleasure craft used by local Arctic residents will not be affected by these measures.

With these prohibitions in place, public health authorities will be able to continue focusing on the most pressing issues, including the vaccine rollout and new Covid-19 variants.

To limit the spread of Covid-19, the Government of Canada continues to advise Canadian citizens and permanent residents to avoid all travel on cruise ships outside Canada until further notice.

Essential passenger vessels, such as ferries and water taxis, should continue to follow local public health guidance and protocols, and follow mitigation measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and prevent future outbreaks. These could include: reducing the number of passengers, ensuring physical distancing, the wearing of masks, and enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures.

Cruise vessels in Canadian waters pose a risk to our health care systems. The Government of Canada will continue to evaluate the situation and make changes as necessary to ensure the health and safety of all Canadians. Should the Covid-19 pandemic sufficiently improve to allow the resumption of these activities, the Minister of Transport has the ability to rescind the Interim Orders.

Fincantieri lays keel for eighth Viking Cruises newbuilding

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 February 2021 04 February 2021

Fincantieri, the Italian shipbuilder, has laid keel of Viking Mars, which is the eighth vessel in a series of 16 similar ships for Viking Ocean Cruises.

The 47,800 gross ton ship is being built at the Ancona yard and it will be able accommodate 930 passengers. It is due to enter service in 2022.

Deliveries of the series are scheduled to continue until 2027, with a further eight vessels to be built. The first unit in the class, Viking Star, was built in 2015.