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Viking Line raised €50,000 for the University of Helsinki

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 December 2017 08 December 2017

To celebrate the centenary of Finland’s independence, Viking Line has raised funds to support Baltic Sea research. In 2017, the company has raised €50,000 through various activities for the Tvärminne Zoological Station, which is the largest centre for Baltic Sea research and education in Finland, the listed ferry company said in a statement.

The long-term work to improve the condition of the Baltic Sea has begun to yield results, but a great deal of basic research is still needed.

The University of Helsinki conducts important research on the Baltic Sea. This donation supports maritime research at the Tvärminne Zoological Station, which is run by the university. The station conducts research on topics such as biodiversity and the ecosystem as well as the effects of human activity on the Baltic Sea.

In 2016, Viking Line donated €100,000 to the station. Combined with its €50,000 contribution this year, Viking Line’s donations have enabled the university to hire another researcher for three year.

NCLH switches from Nasdaq to NYSE

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 December 2017 08 December 2017

Trading in the shares in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH), the world’s third largest cruise shipping group, will move from Nasdaq Global Select Market to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the company said in a statement.

The Company expects to begin trading on the NYSE on December 19, 2017, under its current ticker symbol “NCLH”. It will continue to trade on Nasdaq until the transfer is complete.

“We are pleased to partner with the New York Stock Exchange as the new home for our stock listing and look forward to joining the collection of preeminent companies listed on the exchange,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

“This move marks the latest initiative in our continuous drive to increase our Company’s profile in the marketplace and enhance shareholder value by drawing on the NYSE’s unique competencies and capabilities which make it the ideal listing platform for our Company. We are grateful for the support Nasdaq has provided us over the last five years since our successful IPO and our inclusion in the prestigious Nasdaq-100,” continued Del Rio.

Carnival Cruise Line to bring Carnival Sunshine to Charleston May 2019

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 December 2017 08 December 2017

Carnival Cruise Line will position a newer, larger ship to Charleston when the 3,002-passenger Carnival Sunshine kicks off a year-round schedule of four- and five-day cruises in May 2019.

The 101,353 gross ton ship was built in 1996 and extensively redesigned in 2013.

Carnival Sunshine provides an exciting new vacation choice from Charleston and features one of the widest arrays of food, beverage and entertainment options within the Carnival fleet, including spectacular open-air attractions like the WaterWorks aqua park and SportSquare recreation area, a stunning three-deck-high adults-only retreat featuring a waterfall and adjoining pool, several specialty restaurants and more than 550 staterooms with private balconies.

“With its convenient location and strong tourism appeal, Charleston is one of our most popular homeports and we’re delighted to build upon this success with the deployment of Carnival Sunshine,” Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Carnival Sunshine not only provides guests sailing from Charleston with a newer, larger ship with so much to see and do but also underscores our commitment to our year-round operations from this port,” she added.

Carnival Sunshine will kick off its four- and five-day cruise program from Charleston May 18, 2019, and is expected to carry approximately 220,000 passengers annually from that port.

Four-day cruises will visit the Bahamian capital of Nassau while five-day voyages will feature Nassau and the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay. Each of these destinations offers world-class beaches and excellent water sports opportunities, including kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkeling.

Two Crystal Esprit crew member receive IMO award for rescuing 12 lives at sea

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 December 2017 08 December 2017

Genting Cruises Lines, part of the Genting Hong Kong group, said Vice Captain Damir Rikanovic and Marina Team Leader Kurt Dreyer of Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Esprit have been recognized with Certificates of Commendation by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at the 2017 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea held on 27 November in London, England.

Nominated by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), Rikanovic and Dreyer were acknowledged for their bravery and selflessness in helping to save 12 French nationals – three children and nine adults – from a distressed catamaran off the coast of the Seychelles during stormy weather on 16 February 2017.

“Genting Cruise Lines is extremely proud of Mr Rikanovic and Mr Dreyer for their roles in the rescue operation in the Seychelles. It is due to their courage and determination that 12 people have been able to return to their families and loved ones from what could have been a potentially terrible disaster,” said Fleet Captain Gustaf Grönberg, SVP Marine Operation & Newbuilding, Genting Hong Kong.

“It is our goal to continue to nurture and develop our staff both on board our vessels and on the ground to ensure that our company is represented by the best representatives possible.”

The annual IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea was established by the International Maritime Organization to provide international recognition for those who, at the risk of losing their own life, perform acts of exceptional bravery, displaying outstanding courage in attempting to save life at sea or in attempting to prevent or mitigate damage to the marine environment.

As a specialised agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.

CruiseBritain expands steering committee, appoints new chair

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 December 2017 07 December 2017

CruiseBritain, the membership association which brings together the ports and service sector of the UK cruise industry, will welcome a new Chair, expanded Steering Group and new cruise line representative on 1 January 2018. James Stangroom, Bristol Port Company, will take the helm as Angie Redhead, Liverpool Cruise Terminal, steps down after nearly three years in the role, the organisation said in a statement.

In addition, the Steering Group, which oversees and advises on CruiseBritain’s activities has been expanded to six ports and three service providers; this expansion reflects the organisation’s growing membership. James Langley, Director of Marine and Technical Operations at Saga Cruises, has accepted the invitation to become CruiseBritain’s cruise line representative.

New chair James Stangroom said, “CruiseBritain is thriving as a membership association which works to raise the profile of Britain as a cruise destination and to improve the cruise line and guest experience. I look forward to the challenge of building on the work that Angie has done during her nearly three-year spell as Chair as we take CruiseBritain forward over the next few years.”

Outgoing Chair, Angie Redhead commented "I feel privileged to have been Chair of Cruise Britain at a time when the UK cruise offer is stronger than ever, and our potential is at its greatest. Our UK ports & service providers are extremely pro-active and supportive and are led by a fantastically strong and committed Steering Group which ensures we all work collaboratively together to enhance our UK cruise offer. As the global cruise market continues to grow, we are confident that Britain's appeal as a cruise destination will mirror that trend.

James' appointment has the unanimous support of CruiseBritain's Steering Group and I'm delighted to be handing the baton over to him although I am pleased to remain on the Steering Group; his experience in the cruise industry, plus the wider maritime business, will be of great value to CruiseBritain and James will undoubtedly continue to represent, invigorate and build on our great momentum during his time in post, enabling our organisation to continue to flourish. Huge congratulations, James!"

James has a degree in Maritime Business from Plymouth University and is a fellow with The Chartered Institute of Shipbrokers. He joined The Bristol Port Company in 2001 and has a wide commercial brief; James is responsible for a mixture of business development and commercial management covering a number of different trade areas including the breakbulk and container trades, warehousing and, of course, cruise.

James added, “As I step up to the role of Chair I look forward to working with the Steering Group and all of our members and colleagues internationally to continue to fly the flag for cruising to British ports and destinations.”