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Tallink sells Superstar to Corsica Ferries at €7.6 million loss

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 November 2015 10 November 2015

Tallink Superfast Limited, part of the Estonian listed ferry company AS Tallink Grupp, has entered into agreement with Medinvest SpA, part of the Corsica Ferries Group, to sell the fast ferry Superstar at price of €91.5 million, which will generate a €7.6 million loss to the seller.

The 36,400 gross ton vessel was built in Italy in 2008

“Concurrently AS Tallink Grupp and Medinvest SpA have entered into bareboat charter agreement and Tallink will continue to operate the fast ferry Superstar on its Tallinn-Helsinki route shuttle service until beginning of 2017, when the Tallink’s new LNG fast ferry will start to operate on the same route. Change of the ownership and start of the charter period of the fast ferry Superstar is planned in December 2015,” the company said in a statement.

“The sale of fast ferry Superstar will result one-off book loss from sale approximately €7.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 financial year. The cash proceeds from the sale will be used mainly to repay loans to continue the deleveraging strategy and for the down payment of the new LNG fast ferry under construction,” Tallink said.

In addition, Tallink expects to incur one-off costs from premature termination of the loan contract, related to the sale of the vessel, it said.

MSC Cruises and Cirque du Soleil enter in partnership

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 November 2015 09 November 2015

MSC Cruises, the world’s fourth largest cruise shipping company, has entered a long-term partnership with Cirque du Soleil, the Quebec-based world leader in artistic entertainment, that will set new standards in live entertainment at sea.

New Cirque du Soleil shows will be created exclusively for MSC Cruises guests aboard MSC Cruises’ next-generation Meraviglia ships in collaboration, by MSC Cruises and Cirque du Soleil, the cruise company said in a statement.

“The partnership was revealed in Barcelona, Spain, aboard MSC Fantasia, MSC Cruises’ flagship, during the “All Stars of the Sea” – the annual MSC Cruises trade gathering to celebrate and reward the Company’s top performing partners from across the globe – before an audience of more than 1,800 travel agents from over 150 countries and members of the media,” MSC Cruises said.

In the 1990s, Cirque due Soleil partnered with Celebrity cruises, the premium market unit of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd (RCCL) group.

Imtech Marine relaunched as RH Marine Group

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 November 2015 06 November 2015

RH Marine Group, formerly known as Imtech Marine was introduced at the Europort exhibition in Rotterdam. Following the recent acquisition by Parcom Capital and Pon Holdings, Imtech Marine will now be known as RH Marine Group. RH Marine Group is built on the strong roots of the founding companies, Radio Holland and van Rietschoten & Houwens.

The two major ‘pillars’ for service and newbuild activities within Imtech Marine are also involved in the new naming structure. Radio Holland will keep its name but will have a fresh new logo. Radio Holland is the renowned global NavCom, Connectivity, On Board ICT service and maintenance brandand connects its customers to an unrivalled network of offices and support locations along the global shipping routes. It delivers unique technical service expertise that helps customers run smarter, more profitable businesses. Additionally, the Radio Holland management team has announced a strategy to strengthen the company’s offer in On Board ICT. Building on its experience of successful design and implementation of integral on-board networks, Radio Holland will provide customers with customised solutions that seamlessly align with their ICT and connectivity needs.

The newbuild pillar or former ‘Imtech Marine & Offshore’ is relaunched under the name RH Marine. RH Marine is the leading system integrator and full-service provider of state of-the-art technology to support the core processes of complex ships, with innovative solutions in Electrical, Automation systems and HVAC. As a Maritime System Integrator, RH Marine is active in a number of dedicated markets including: navy, megayachts, special vessels & ferries and cruise ships (via the specialized HVAC company Schiffbau-/Dockbautechnik in Hamburg). Its innovation focus is directed towards hybrid power solutions, future proof ship automation and performance management.

René ten Brinke, CEO of RH Marine Group comments: “The rich heritage of the founding companies, Van Rietschoten & Houwens, dating back to 1860, and Radio Holland dating back to 1916, played a key role in the new naming. With both companies’ initials being RH, it made sense for us to integrate those letters into the new naming and implement a new, sharp and colourful branding for RH Marine Group, Radio Holland and RH Marine.

Our fleet of brands including Radio Holland, RH Marine, Van Berge Henegouwen, Venteville, Techsol Marine, Elkon, Schiffbau-/Dockbautechnik and Tess will all keep individual names and branding styles and focus on their key specialisms, technology expertise and target markets to deliver customised, flexible solutions which closely align with customers’ requirements. In a sense, this is a new start and we’re looking forward to the future.”

Symbolic to the heritage of the company, RH Marine Group showcases the ‘Flyer’ at its booth at Europort. The Flyer is the famous sailing yacht with which Conny van Rietschoten won the Whitbread race around the world in 1978, now known as the Volvo Ocean Race. Delegates attending Europort can visit the Flyer on request.

Costa Diadema to offer three-dimensional scale-sized statuette of passengers

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 November 2015 06 November 2015

Through the wonder of 3-D printing technology, Costa Crociere, the Italian contemporary market unit of Carnival Corp & plc, has come up with a truly unique souvenir for guests aboard its flagship Costa Diadema -- a three-dimensional scale-sized statuette.

The Italian company is offering this exclusive product in partnership with Labs3D, an innovative 3-D design studio based in Spain.

The process is simple: Shipboard experts will complete a full body scan using a handheld scanner in minutes. After capturing every detail of a person -- from hairstyle to arm position -- the file generated by the software program is sent via secure link to the Labs3D studio in Barcelona. There, the file is processed in a 3-D printer, creating a miniature three-dimensional likeness of the guest.

The statuette is then shipped to the guest's home.

The 3-D reproductions are available in five sizes (converted from metric): 5-1/8 inches tall, 6 inches, 6-11/16 inches, 7-1/2 inches and 8-1/4 inches. Prices start at €89 (US$97) plus shipping expenses. "This special souvenir opportunity is only available on Costa Diadema's seven-day cruises in the western Mediterranean," the company said in statement.

MSC Cruises completes four ship Renaissance programme

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 November 2015 05 November 2015

MSC Cruises, the world’s fourth largest cruise shipping company, says it has completed Renaissance Programme has delivered four renewed ships that will spearhead its push into new markets and further strengthen its position in those where it is the leader.

MSC Cruises Chief Executive Officer Gianni Onorato told a press conference aboard MSC Lirica – the final ship to complete the Renaissance transformation – that the project reinforced the elements that so distinguish the MSC Cruises experience: tailored amenities and services for families; exquisite, varied dining offerings; outstanding entertainment; a broad choice of relaxation and wellness options and more, all provided with a touch of Mediterranean flair and flavour.

Detailing some of the onboard innovations and enhancements, Mr Onorato said much of the Renaissance was carried out with families in mind, which is why every ship now has five separate clubs for young guests up to 17 years old, including two designed and equipped by leading childhood brands Chicco® and LEGO®.

Dining has been made even more flexible with an extended range of menus and restaurants, while guests can truly cruise at their own pace with buffet options available for a full 20 hours a day.

The entertainment offering has also been further enhanced with a packed, 20-hour programme of day-and-night activities, live music and dance, and themed events across a range of upgraded entertainment venues - including the spectaculartheatre - on each ship.

The ships’ beauty and wellness services have had a makeover of their own with more massage suites added to the Aurea Spa, restyled whirlpool baths and a spa doctor on hand for a discreet, highly personalised service.

Talking specifically about MSC Lirica, Mr Onorato said the ship had been fully customised ahead of its May 2016 deployment in Shanghai, China with an array of tailor-made touches just for Chinese consumers. These include the world’s first Cruise Ambassador service, an industry-leading ratio of Mandarin-speaking staff (up to 80%) and a totally new dining offer, comprising refined Asian and international cuisines.

Closing the press conference, Mr Onorato said: “Renaissance is the first pillar of MSC Cruises’ second growth phase, while the four next-generation new builds we’ll launch between 2017 and 2019 are the second. Renaissance has delivered four holistically improved ships that will serve strategic segments of the global cruise market with the standard-setting experiences, amenities and service that are synonymous with MSC Cruises today.”