Guangzhou Shipyard to build new ferry to Algeria

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 25 April 2018 25 April 2018

Guangzhou Shipyard International Company in China has just signed a contract with state-owned Algerian shipping company ENTMV for a large RoPax newbuilding. Danish OSK-ShipTech A/S is behind the design.

Danish design is a great export commodity, and within ship design and naval architecture, owners want the Danish design expertise. OSK-ShipTech A/S’ design as well as the technical and commercial offer tipped the scales and saw state-owned Algerian shipping company ENTMV announcing Chinese Guangzhou Shipyard International Company (GSI) as the winners of the public tender that took place in 2016. Now, all the technical and commercial details are settled and the final contract has been signed.

OSK-ShipTech A/S (OSK) is already working on the Approval Design for the new Algerian passenger ferry holding 1800 passengers, 180 crewmembers and more than 600 cars and putting their mark on all the interiors and facilities on-board. The new ferry will sail between Algeria and a series of larger cities in Southern Europa, e.g. Marseille and Barcelona.

GSI is among the most productive shipyards globally and they have previously teamed up with OSK-ShipTech on prestigious passenger ferries. For instance, GSI and OSK collaborated on the project for the newly contracted cruise ferries for Moby and GNV, where OSK also developed the design. And the contract for the Algerian newbuilding is another important step towards an even closer collaboration between GSI and OSK.

“China has a strong focus on the market of RoPax ferries and newbuildings, and we are very proud that GSI once again are choosing us as designers. The ENTMV-ferry is a dream project. We get to tailor the vessel completely so that it is fully optimised for the route – both with regard to design and operation as well as commercial flow and passenger experience. Hence, a project like this brings all our competences into play,” says Kristian Carøe Lind, Chief Technical Officer at OSK.

Algeria’s new RoPax ferry will be 200 m long, 30 m wide and will have a 6.7 m draught. The ferry will be propelled by four main engines, each 10.800 kW (58.000 brake horsepower in total), with a service speed of 24 knots – approximately 44 km per hour. The ferry’s two car decks will hold over 600 cars on its more than 3000 lane metres, and accommodation decks will be divided in Cabin- and Economy Class with a total capacity of 1800 passengers.

Senior executive appointments and promotions in Princess, Holland America, Seabourn and Carnival Australia

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 25 April 2018 25 April 2018

 

Carnival Corporation and plc, the world's largest leisure travel company, has made several key senior executive appointments and promotions to serve multiple brands and business units globally.

Mr. Anthony (Tony) Kaufman has been promoted to executive vice president, professional services and chief financial officer for four business units of Carnival Corporation – Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn and Carnival Australia. In his new role, Kaufman will oversee the financial planning and reporting, financial analysis, accounting and tax strategy for this group. Kaufman now reports to Stein Kruse, chief executive officer of these business units. Previously, Kaufman served as executive vice president, international operations for Carnival plc's Princess Cruises brand, leading the line's Asia, Australia, United Kingdom and Europe business operations.

Throughout his 25-year career at Princess Cruises, Kaufman has held various roles including senior vice president of commercial affairs, which was a broad commercial role that included responsibility for onboard revenue and worldwide shore operations, as well as commercial transactions such as shipbuilding contracts, ship sales, and charters. He has also served as general counsel of the former P&O Princess Cruises plc and has held various other roles in legal and business affairs since joining the company in 1993.

Kaufman succeeds Tim Howie, executive vice president professional services and chief financial officer, who retired earlier this year after more than 10 years with the company.

Ms. Kelly Clark, senior vice president and chief ethics officer for Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn and Carnival Australia, has assumed oversight of the legal department as general counsel. Clark previously served as a senior vice president overseeing fleet operations compliance and also served previously as general counsel to Holland America Line and Seabourn, where she oversaw the development of an award-winning compliance program. Clark succeeds Mona Ehrenreich, senior vice president and general counsel who retired earlier this year after nearly 25 years of service to the company.

"It's my privilege to announce the promotions of Kelly and Tony to these strategic senior roles and I'm confident their leadership, intellect and integrity will create a lasting effect for the brands, our employees and colleagues," said Stein Kruse, chief executive officer of Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn and Carnival Australia. "These executive appointments are also the catalyst for additional promotions demonstrating the outstanding capabilities and leadership within the ranks of our company," added Kruse.

Ms. Deanna Austin, who has been with the company for 30 years, has been promoted to chief commercial officer for Princess Cruises. In addition to her current accountability leading global deployment and revenue management, Austin has overall responsibility for the commercial operations for the Princess Cruises brand in 12 international offices, as well as international sales through Princess Cruises' general sales agents around the world. Austin will continue to report to Jan Swartz, group president, Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia.

"Deanna is one of the brightest minds in commercial management and deployment planning in the cruise industry and this promotion positions Princess to benefit from her three decades of experience and leadership globally," said Jan Swartz, group president for Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia.

Group Shared Services (Financial)

Ms. Natalya Leahy has been promoted to senior vice president and chief financial officer for Holland America Line and Seabourn. She will report to Kaufman. Leahy most recently served as vice president and CFO based in Seattle.

Mr. Simeon Waldron has been promoted to senior vice president and chief financial officer for Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia, reporting to Kaufman and based in Santa Clarita, Calif. Waldron most recently served as vice president and CFO of these business units.

Commercial and Product Management for Princess Cruises

Mr. Stuart Allison has been promoted to senior vice president, Asia-Pacific Planning and Operations, for the Princess Cruises brand, reporting to Austin. In this new role, his accountability expands to include direct responsibility for Carnival plc's China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore business. With the company for nearly 20 years, Allison was previously vice president of Princess Cruises' successful Australia and New Zealand business based in Sydney, where he will remain. He will retain revenue and operations oversight for the Australia and New Zealand business.

Mr. Neil Rippon has been promoted to vice president, domestics, Europe, and exotics product management for Princess Cruises. Adding to his current responsibilities, Rippon is now accountable for Europe and exotics revenue and Derek Krause, director, Europe and exotics product management, will report to him. Tony Roberts, vice president, UK and Europe, based in the UK, will report to Austin and partner with Rippon on achieving the brand's European revenue and sourcing plans. Rippon, as well as Trey Hickey in International Sales, will report to Austin.

Guest Services for Princess Cruises

Ms. Lorna Warren has joined Princess Cruises as vice president, guest services where she will lead the shipboard guest services and operations function—including front desk, housekeeping operations, customer service, charters and groups, and the onboard quality assurance program. Warren will also support guest operations' strategic efforts for recruitment, career progression, training, and development of the seagoing staff in close partnership with the global human resources team. Warren brings to Princess Cruises more than 17 years of experience in the cruise industry.

Marketing for Princess Cruises

Ms. Shelley Wise has been promoted to vice president integrated marketing (North America) for Princess Cruises accountable for brand marketing, advertising, consumer insights and analytics, creative services and direct marketing. She has been with the company for 10 years and continues to report to Gordon Ho, senior vice president, global marketing and North America sales.

AECO to combat marine plastic litter

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 23 April 2018 23 April 2018

Armed with NOK 2.43 million in funding, UN backing and thousands of volunteers, AECO is taking on one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time: marine plastic pollution. As part of the UN Environment Clean Seas campaign, AECO will work to drastically cut back on single-use plastics on Arctic expedition cruise vessels, as well as enhance cruise passengers' involvement in regular beach cleanups.

Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund has recently decided to support the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators’ (AECO) efforts with NOK 1.8 million. Earlier this month, the association was granted NOK 634,000 from the Norwegian Environmental Directorate to enhance ongoing efforts to facilitate beach cleanups in Svalbard by expedition cruise passengers and crew.

AECO’s decision to initiate this project was sparked by a letter from UN Environment Executive Director Erik Solheim inviting the association to join the #CleanSeas initiative, a UN-led campaign to combat marine plastic pollution. AECO is also working with International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) on this project, as many of the planned measures may be applied to expedition cruise ships in Antarctica as well as the Arctic.

Members of AECO have been involved in beach cleanings in the Arctic for over almost two decades, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed. Having secured external funding, AECO will step up the association’s environmental efforts by hiring an Environmental Agent. The new team member will be responsible for AECO’s involvement in the Clean Seas Campaign, as well as coordinate beach cleaning efforts. Focus areas will be education, developing and sharing best practices, as well as logistics around beach cleanups.

AECO’s Executive Director Frigg Jørgensen is extremely satisfied and happy with the received funding and says that it will make it possible for the expedition cruise industry to make a big contribution in the fight to combat marine plastic litter. One of AECO’s contributions to the Clean Seas Campaign will be to take actions to reduce the use of disposable plastic products.

“Clean oceans is an issue that our members are extremely passionate about. For years, the Arctic expedition cruise industry has involved thousands of passengers in volunteering to pick garbage when they go on landings. As part of this new project, we will examine the whole value chain to reduce the risk of plastic finding its way to into our oceans in the first place. Our members would like to be part of the solution, and that involves finding alternatives to disposable plastic products on their ships,” says Jørgensen.

Jørgensen says that the expedition cruise industry would like to set an example of how the tourism industry can contribute to sustainable development.

“We have just signed a memorandum of understanding with UN Environment to formalize our cooperation. The plan is to work with the UN Clean Seas Campaign to develop information material targeted at staff and passengers. Our ambition is to change people’s attitude towards disposable plastics. We want to show people that there are good alternatives to things like plastic straws and plastic packaging. It’s not too late to tackle the issue of plastic marine debris, but we have to act now,” says Jørgensen.

Meyer Werft delivers Norwegian Bliss

Details

Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 19 April 2018 19 April 2018

Norwegian Cruise Line, the contemporary market unit in the Norwegian Cruise Line Holding Ltd (NCLH) group, said it took delivery of the 168,028 gross ton Norwegian Bliss from Meyer Werft during a ceremony in Bremerhaven, Germany, marking the conclusion of an 18-month building period. 

In attendance were executives from Norwegian Cruise Line, including Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer, Harry Sommer, executive vice president of international business development, Robin Lindsay, executive vice president of vessel operations for the 16-ship fleet, representatives from Meyer Werft including Bernard and Tim Meyer, managing partners of the German-based shipyard, and the ship’s captain and hotel director.

Before cruising to Southampton, England to begin her transatlantic journey on April 21, Norwegian Bliss will showcase all she has to offer to her first guests during a two-day European inaugural preview cruise hosted by Andy Stuart and Harry Sommer. Upon her arrival to the U.S. on May 3, the festivities for her U.S inaugural tour will commence with two-night preview events in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, and will conclude with a grand christening ceremony and sailing from her first homeport at Pier 66 in Seattle, Washington on May 30, the company said in a statement.

Following a three-day inaugural voyage with a call into the port of Victoria, British Columbia, she will return on June 2 and will then embark on her first seven-day voyage to Alaska.

Norwegian Bliss, the third ship in the line’s Breakaway Plus class, the most successful class in the company’s history, is the first cruise ship specifically designed with features and amenities for the ultimate Alaska cruising experience.  On board, guests will be able to experience their favorite amenities by Norwegian Cruise Line, plus some new first-at-sea offerings.  Norwegian Bliss will thrill and excite guests with the largest competitive race track at sea, a first for any North America-based cruise ship.

The two-level electric-car race track sits at the top of deck 19, offering guests amazing views while twisting and turning at a speed of up to 30 miles per hour. After a thrilling ride, guests can then test their agility at the open-air laser tag course, or race side-by-side on the Aqua Racer waterslide at the expansive Aqua Park, with two multi-story waterslides, one of which extends over the edge of the ship and loops down to the deck below.

Aboard Norwegian Bliss, culinary enthusiasts can savor new exclusive specialty dining and bar concepts such as the debuting Texas smokehouse – Q, the cruise line’s first full-service Starbucks® store at sea, and Coco’s – a chocolate and sweet treats shop.  At The District Brew House, guests can enjoy a variety of craft cocktails and beers, including local Seattle favorites from Red Hook Brewery.