Cruise & Maritime Voyages plans to introduce additional ship in UK in 2020 – report

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 23 April 2019 23 April 2019

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), the UK based destinational cruise operator, plans to add a ship to the UK market next year, Travel Weekly reports.

The news came as CMV took delivery of its sixth vessel 1,220-passenger Vasco da Gama – its sixth ship – will be targeted at the German and Australian markets, but head of marketing Mike Hall said discussions had begun about adding a ship dedicated to the UK market next year. “It is absolutely no secret that we are looking to grow the CMV fleet,” he was quoted by Travel Weekly as saying.

CMV did consider buying P&O Cruises’ Oriana before it was sold to a joint venture between China Travel Service and China Ocean Shipping Group Company.  “Ships with capacity for 1,200 passengers are perfect,” said Hall, adding that there are many suitable ships in the fleet of the Carnival group.

Vasco da Gama was acquired from P&O Cruises Australia, but the ship had been built for Holland America Line. It takes over from Astor a dual role on German and Australian markets and Astor will now remain in Germany year-round.

Of the four other vessels of the line – Columbus, Magellan and Marco Polo – operate on the UK market, while Astoria spends summers on charter to a French company. CMV itself charters all its ships, mainly from a Greek principal that is a shareholder in the company.

Next year, P&O Cruises will introduce Iona, the first of two newbuildings, while Royal Caribbean International will replace Independence of the Seas with the larger Anthem of the Seas.

 

New independent study confirms benefits of LNG as a marine fuel

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 21 April 2019 21 April 2019

As the cruise industry begins to deploy its first LNG-powered ships, a new independent study was released that confirms LNG’s reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) and as a major contributor in meeting IMO’s 2050 GHG targets for the shipping industry.

“We wanted to get an accurate, truthful and verifiable report,” said Chad Verret, Board Chairman of The Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF), which along with SEA\LNG, commissioned study. Conducted by independent specialist consultants thinkstep, and reviewed by a panel of academic experts, it is purported to be “the most accurate study of the life cycle GHG emissions and local pollutants from LNG as a marine fuel.

“With this report, we wanted to establish a common baseline of meaningful data that we can all discuss going forward,” said Mark Bell, General Manager of SGMF at the launch event at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami.

The key message from the study is that the use of LNG shows up to a 21 percent reduction in GHG over the entire life cycle from Well-to-Wake (WtW) when compared with the current oil-based marine fuels. The study was performed for a global average fuel supply inventory currently available and considered the most common ship engine technologies in operation.

The individual study results varied based on the engine technology with between 14 to 21 percent reductions for 2-stroke slow speed engines (the most widely used in the shipping industry) and 7 to 15 percent reductions for 4-stroke medium speed engines (used by short sea shipping and the cruise sectors). The study followed the life cycle approach from Well-to-Wake in accordance with relevant ISO standards. On a Tank-to-Wake basis, the GHG benefits rose up to 28 percent compared with current oil-based marine fuels.

The study also highlights that local pollutants, such as Sulphur oxides (SOX) nitrogen oxides (NOX) and particulate matter, are reduced significantly when using LNG. Further, an indicative analysis showed “that bioLNG and synthetic LNG can provide an additional significant benefit in terms of WtW GHG intensity.” For example, the reports highlights that a blend of 20 percent bioLNG can reduce GHG emissions by a further 13 percent when compared to 100 percent fossil fuel LNG.

In presenting the study, they also highlighted that the results are based on the current status of the industry. Ongoing optimization in the fuel supply chain and engine technology developments, they believe, will further enhance the benefits of LNG as a marine fuel.

These results are significant for the cruise industry as it works to meet its own goals for reductions in emissions as part of the 2020 regulations and longer-term goals. Carnival Corporation’s AIDA Cruises became the first cruise line to implement LNG, first testing it as an in port fuel source, and then in December 2018, the AIDANova became the cruise ship to use LNG as its fuel source both at sea and in port. Currently, 25 cruise ships, or approximately a quarter of the new cruise orders, are for LNG powered ships. In addition to AIDA, Costa Cruises will deploy an LNG ship in 2019 followed by ships for Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, MSC, P&O, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and TUI Cruises.

Chad Verret, Board Chairman of SGMF was quoted in the official press release as concluding, “LNG meets and exceeds all current and 2020 marine fuel compliance requirements for context and emissions, local and GHG. With the world LNG Bunker Vessel fleet doubling in the next 18 months and those vessels being deployed at major bunkering hubs, LNG as a ship fuel is rapidly becoming readily available.”

Cruise & Maritime Voyages enters soft expedition market with Sea of Cortez itinerary

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 15 April 2019 15 April 2019

Cruise & Maritime Voyages, (CMV) the UK based destinational cruise operator, said it has introduced a ‘soft expedition’ programme of voyages of exploration in Mexico in the Sea of Cortez on the 16,000 gross ton Astoria.

The 11 night itinerary that is mainly targeting US and Mexican source markets, but also sold in the UK, will feature calls at eight ports in the region, which is one of the most ecologically diverse places on the planet and described as a ‘living aquarium’ by the famous French explorer Jacques Cousteau. It will run in the winter of 2019-20.

“From exotic islands to world renown vacation destinations, it presents a chance to discover truly breathtaking nature, infused with distinctive Mexican culture. These ‘soft expedition’ cruises sail from Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) on the Mexican coast, conveniently located just over 200 miles from Phoenix, Arizona,” the company said in a statement

“This is an exciting project that we have been very much looking forward to announcing in close cooperation with the Mexican states of Baja California Sur and Sonora and the state of Arizona – the first opportunity to cruise from Puerto Peñasco.” said John Dennis, VP, Sales and Marketing for CMV USA.

“We are thrilled – not only to be Arizona’s de facto cruise line, but also to welcome guests throughout the country and internationally to experience this Sea of Cortez experience. With superb airlift into Phoenix and Tucson, we anticipate great interest from many international markets.”

Chris Coates, Group Commercial Director of CMV commented, “The largely undiscovered pristine waters of the Sea of Cortez present the Group’s first foray into the soft expedition cruise sector, inaugurating our new ‘Voyages of Exploration’ collection. In tandem, CMV’s Astoria that will perform the program offers a unique, classic boutique style and an authentic cruise experience, supported by an enrichment program and supplemented by classical and more popular themed entertainment.”

 

RCCL takes delivery of China bound Spectrum of the Seas

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 12 April 2019 12 April 2019

Royal Caribbean International (RCI), the contemporary market unit in the Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (RCCL) group, said it has taken delivery of Spectrum of the Seas in Bremerhaven, Germany, from Meyer Werft that built the ship.

The first in the Quantum Ultra class of ships, Spectrum of the Seas will homeport from Shanghai starting June 2019. It is the 26^th vessel in the fleet of RCI.

“We are excited to welcome Spectrum of the Seas, our first Quantum Ultra Class ship to the Royal Caribbean family,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “We have once again combined revolutionary ship design with the latest technology to deliver a ship that will redefine the China cruise market. We are excited for our guests to make amazing family memories.”

The ship will feature first the line’s private enclave for suite guests, new stateroom categories, and innovative dining concepts, along with new features, experiences and technology.