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Baleària to build Spain’s first LNG-powered passenger ferry

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 January 2016 29 January 2016

Alan Lam reporting

Baleària, the Spanish ferry company, has just reached the final agreement with LaNaval, the Spanish shipbuilder, to build the first LNG-powered passenger ferry in the Mediterranean. The €175 million contract was signed on 28 February, with the option for a second vessel.

The eco-efficient “smartship,” scheduled to enter service in 2019, will also use solar energy in its day-to-day operations. The 1,600-pasenger, ,3,300-lanemetre dual fuel unit, according to the company, will be among the largest operating in Europe, and one of the largest in the world. “With the new ferry we will reinforce the idea of the pleasure of travelling and its compatibility with the environmental protection," said Adolfo Utor, Chairman of Baleària.

"We want to establish a before and after in maritime transport, incorporating the latest technology to make the trip a unique experience. The ship will also meet the needs of logistics operators, both in terms of service and capacity, which will be key to the viability of the project."

"The signing of the contract, after months of working together,” said Jose Ignacio Irasuegui, Managing Director of LaNaval, “confirms our strategy of working closely with our customers from the earliest conceptual stages, it’s a milestone that consolidates LaNaval’s position in the passenger ship market and, in general, in the design and construction of ships with high technological contents. We are convinced that this agreement will be the start of a long-term relationship between LaNaval and Baleària, one of Europe's largest shipping companies in the field of freight and passenger transport.

Besides including all manners of efficiency and sustainability features, such as solar panels, an optimised hull form design and energy-efficient propellers, the vessel will also be fitted with the latest communication technology, incorporating many design features of a modern cruise ship. It will be equipped with three dual fuel engines to cut Baleària’s CO2 and NOx emissions by 40%, as well as avoiding the discharge of sulphur and particulate matters when running on gas.

Baleària is among the forerunners in this field; it has been in partnership withRolls Royce in developing LNG engines for ferries. LaNaval is a leading eco-ship builder; it is already building an eco-ferry, powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) for TESO, the Dutch ferry company

Seatrade Cruise Global 2016 announces new format, moderator for State of the Global Cruise Industry Panel

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 January 2016 27 January 2016

Seatrade Cruise Global, the leading annual global business-to-business event for the cruise industry, in partnership with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), announces the 2016 State of the Global Cruise Industry participants. This year’s panel will take on a new four-one-three rolling panel format moderated by CBS News Travel Editor and PBS’s “The Travel Detective” Peter Greenberg.

“It is an extraordinary time in the cruise world, one of innovation across the global fleet,” shares Robyn Duda, Portfolio Director for Seatrade Cruise Global. “This year’s State of the Global Cruise Industry brings together the four leaders of the world’s largest cruise lines, who are innovating for the future, and concludes with three leaders executing innovative approaches that are transforming the industry.”

Peter Greenberg will moderate the State of the Global Cruise Industry Conference from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday 15 March, 2016. Setting the course of the cruise industry’s premier annual event, the four-one-three panel will commence with four key executives from the world’s leading cruise lines. The “Innovating FOUR the Future” panel is the following:

– Frank Del Rio, President & CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd
– Arnold Donald, President & CEO, Carnival Corporation
– Richard Fain, Chairman & CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd
– Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises

During the midpoint of the session, a research analyst will provide an outside perspective. The State of the Global Cruise Industry will conclude with an additional three cruise line leaders. The “Innovative Approaches” panel is the following:

– Charles A. Robertson, Chairman & CEO, American Cruise Lines
– Edie Rodriguez, President & CEO, Crystal Cruises
– Tara Russell, President, Fathom and Global Impact Lead, Carnival Corporation

“The new State of the Global Cruise Industry format promises to deliver a thought-provoking conversation,” said Cindy D’Aoust, acting CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). “These iconic industry innovators are sure to deliver an informative and engaging dialogue and will be a highlight of Seatrade Cruise Global.”

Costa Group appoints General Manager for Northern Europe

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 January 2016 25 January 2016

Ralph Remkes has joined Costa Group in the position of General Manager Northern Europe, reporting to Massimo Brancaleoni Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales.

In this position Ralph leads the recently created Northern Europe Region with a coordination center at the Costa offices located in Amsterdam. With the goal to provide even more support and unmatchable services to its business partners achieving a sustainable competitive advantage in the local marketplace, the Northern Europe Region has been created by Costa and AIDA joining forces for a new Sales & Marketing organization for Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark.

The Northern Europe region combines the experience of 13 sales staff, putting at the service of trade partners their expertise and professionalism, providing a personalized approach to each agents’ needs to be able to support effectively their cruise sales with products specifically dedicated to the different types of consumers, both for Costa and AIDA brands.

The two Heads of Sales – Kay Sion, Head of Sales Benelux, and Giancarlo Tedesco, Head of Sales Scandinavia – are reporting to Ralph as well as the Business Intelligence Manager, Francesco Minerva.

Prior to join Costa Group, Ralph gained an extensive experience in marketing and sales in the tourism sector.

Ralph Remkes, 40 years old, is from Utrecht – The Netherlands, he is married and has two sons.

MSC Cruises appoints Antonio Paradiso UK Managing Director after Hawke

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 January 2016 25 January 2016

MSC Cruises, the world’s fourth largest cruise shipping company, has announced the appointment of Antonio Paradiso as Managing Director for the MSC Cruises’ business in the UK and Ireland, effective 1 March 2016. Antonio will be replacing Giles Hawke, who will be leaving the Company in April. Hawke held the post for about three years.

Ponant and Ducasse Conseil in cooperation agreement

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 January 2016 21 January 2016

Ponant, the French luxury expedition cruidse line, says it has decided to work with Ducasse Conseil, the Alain Ducasse Entreprise expert consulting arm to develop its catering side.

Established in 2000, Ducasse Conseil offers support on strategy, operations and finance to assist with the redesign or creation of offers across all segments of the catering market. Ducasse Conseil can therefore assist hotels, restaurants, catering companies, concert halls, etc. in their projects to instil quality and efficiency for the long-term.

The two entities are embarking on a project anchored in continuity with a long-term view. It includes auditing, culinary concept creation and training for all the company’s chefs, the goal being to provide consistently high levels of service and cuisine across the company’s ten restaurants.

“This collaboration will raise PONANT’s culinary standards to a new level to better meet the highest expectations of our very discerning French and international passengers,” says the company’s CEO Jean-Emmanuel Sauvée.

For Carole Pourchet, Managing Director of Alain Ducasse Entreprise, in charge of Ducasse Conseil: “We are very proud to be involved with PONANT in this venture to promote French excellence. We will be putting the talents of all our chefs on the project, together with our expertise in onboard catering and our passion for contemporary French cuisine.”