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Viking Line suffers sharp weakening of second quarter and first half interims

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 August 2014 27 August 2014

Viking Line, the listed Finnish cruise ferry company, has reported a sharp deterioration of both second quarter and first half interims results, but says the full year operating result should match that of last year’s.

Group net profit in the second quarter narrowed to just €1.0 million from €17.4 million in the same period in 2013. Revenues contracted sharply, to €72.8 million from €104.7 million.

In the first half of the current year, the group suffered a loss of €14.7 million compared to a profit of €1.6 million. Again, revenues contracted significantly, to €146.9 million from €159.1 million.

“The decrease in consolidated sales is primarily explained by the prevailing pressure on prices in today’s tough competitive situation, which had a negative impact on net sales revenue per passenger,” the company said in a statement.

In January 2013, Viking Line took delivery of the cruise ferry Viking Grace and sold the 1989 built Isabella, there were no changes in the fleet in the first half of this year.

The number of passengers on Viking Line’s vessels during the report period decreased by 52,708 to 2,962,436 (3,015,144). During the report period, Viking Line reduced its market share on the Turku (Finland)–Mariehamn/Långnäs (Åland Islands, Finland)–Stockholm route by 2.3 percentage points to 56.6%.

On the Helsinki–Mariehamn–Stockholm route, market share increased by 0.4 percentage points to 45.7%. In cruise services between Stockholm and Mariehamn, market share decreased by 1.5 percentage points to 51.6%.

On the Helsinki–Tallinn route, market share increased by approximately 0.3 percentage points to 23.5%. On the short route over the Sea of Åland, market share increased by 2.3 percentage points to 42.5%. The Group thus had a total market share in its service area of approximately 33.6% (34.6).

Viking Line’s cargo volume was 64,428 cargo units (59,364) and it achieved a cargo market share of 21.8% (20.8).

Competition in Viking Line’s service area implies further pressure on both prices and volume. The economic downturn in Finland is another uncertainty factor. At present, the Board of Directors is nevertheless of the opinion that operating income will improve in 2014 compared to operating income in 2013, excluding the capital gain from the sale of the Isabella (€11.9 million).

Lloyd Werft appoints Petersjohann to head engineering and offshore

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 August 2014 26 August 2014

Lloyd Werft, the German ship repair and conversion specialist, says it expands management board by appointing Dirk Petersjohann to head Engineering & Offshore and also unveils closer co-operation with German Dry Docks and MWB

Following their re-organisation more than a year and a half ago into the Bremerhaven Shipbuilding Alliance, Kaiserhafen trio Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven AG, German Dry Docks GmbH & Co KG and MWB Motorenwerke Bremerhaven AG, are about to take a further step into the future. Outlining the latest changes, Rüdiger Pallentin says: "We are moving even closer together. The top priorities now are to create synergies and more efficiency and to further expand our capabilities".

The Lloyd Werft Spokesman of the Executive Board believes these are "logical steps to secure the future" and part of this has been the acquisition of younger people at management level. Engineering graduate Dirk Petersjohann (44) began his work as a member of the Lloyd Werft Board on August 1st . Another young and experienced engineering expert - Guido Försterling (39) - has meanwhile joined German Dry Docks.

Lloyd Werft, German Dry Docks and MWB have already proven themselves in practice as autonomous brands within the alliance. This strategy has worked. Work forces have also reacted positively to the changes. "The important thing now" says Pallentin’s Lloyd Werft Board colleague Carsten J. Haake, "is to exploit our mutual capabilities even further in order to find a common platform and strengthen the core competencies of the individual companies" such that the shipbuilding trio can work even closer together on the Lower Weser.

Dirk Petersjohann’s main job is to join Rüdiger Pallentin (59) and Carsten J. Haake (47) on the board of Lloyd Werft in strengthening sales. He will also take over the Design sector and further stimulate Offshore business. Petersjohann previously headed sales at Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft and is a well-connected specialist in offshore newbuilding. His promotion now to the Lloyd Werft Board is a further rung on the career ladder but not unknown territory for him.

Petersjohann’s experience, above all else, along with his comprehensive knowledge of the offshore and engineering sectors and his all-round engagement were what decided the shipbuilding alliance to invite him to come to Bremerhaven. His job here, among other things, will be to co-ordinate the engine works, machinery and engineering activities of all three companies. The idea is to intelligently and consistently expand the network of co-operation which is already being built up among the three companies in such a way as to benefit companies and customers alike.

Rolls-Royce completes Power Systems acquisition

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 August 2014 26 August 2014

Rolls-Royce, the British engineering group, said today it had competed the acquisition of Rolls-Royce Power Systems (RRPS).

This follows the announcement on March 7, 2014 that the Board of Management of Daimler AG had decided to exercise the put option relating to its 50% equity interest in RRPS and the announcement on 16 April 2014 that Rolls-Royce and Daimler had agreed on a fair market valuation for the shareholding of EUR 2.43 billion.

John Rishton, CEO of Rolls-Royce said “We are pleased to welcome Rolls-Royce Power Systems fully into Rolls-Royce. The business adds scale and capability to our reciprocating engines portfolio. It has outstanding technology, operates in long term growth markets and has proved a valuable addition to our Marine & Industrial Power Systems division.”

RRPS, which previously operated as Tognum AG, is a world leader in reciprocating engines, propulsion and distributed energy systems. It is headquartered in Friedrichshafen in Southern Germany and employs around 11,000 people.

Ulrich Dohle, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems said: “With our well-known MTU high-speed engines, MTU Onsite Energy distributed energy systems, Bergen medium-speed engines and L’Orange fuel-injection systems, we are proud that we are now a full member of the Rolls-Royce family and look forward to contributing to its success.”

Daimler will remain an important partner in the development and supply of medium and heavy-duty diesel engines in the power range below 500kW. MTU markets the off-highway versions of these truck-derivate engines to customers in the construction, industrial and agricultural markets.

Carnival Cruise Lines honors top travel agencies with 'Excellence Awards'

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 August 2014 21 August 2014

Carnival Cruise Lines has honored 15 top travel agencies in the U.S. and Canada with the newly created “Excellence Awards.” Agencies were selected by Carnival’s sales team for their innovative marketing techniques, brand advocacy and sales success strategies.

“We created the Excellence Awards as a way to celebrate the many success stories we hear of travel agencies that are building incredible business practices through new and innovative methods,” said Joni Rein, vice president of worldwide sales for Carnival Cruise Lines. “Rather than solely reward sales results, we wanted to highlight agencies who are showing growth through unique success strategies, as well.”

A Carnival sales leadership panel, led by Rein, evaluated all submissions from the sales field to select 15 “Excellence Awards” recipients based on the nominees’ strengths in each category. Winners will attend an “Excellence Awards” celebration in Miami on October 2, 2014. Attending travel agency representatives will receive complimentary airfare to Miami for the event, hotel accommodations, a meet and greet with top Carnival executives, and a gala awards reception.

Agencies receiving a 2014 “Excellence Award” include:

Buffy’s Travel (Duarte, Calif.)

Crown’s Adventures at Sea (Metairie, La.)

CruiseOne - Allen (Anderson, S.C.)

Cruises & Tours Unlimited (Jacksonville, Fla.)

Expedia CruiseShip Centers Scarborough East (Scarborough, Ontario)

Expression Voyages (Magog, Quebec)

GalvestonCruises.com (Galveston, Texas)

Guardian Travel (Chesapeake, Va.)

International Voyager (Little Falls, N.J.)

Interval Travel, Inc. (Miami)

KHM Travel Group (Brunswick, Ohio)

Marvel Travel, Inc. (Miami)

Premier Vacations and Events (Memphis, Tenn.)

Rovia, LLC (Plano, Texas)

Vacation Tour and Travel (Conway, Ark.)

Additional information regarding the awards is available on the line’s travel agent Internet portal, GoCCL.com.

Oceania Cruises announces new Culinary Discovery Tours for Caribbean sailings

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 August 2014 21 August 2014

Today, Oceania Cruises announced another expansion to its popular Culinary Discovery Tours by unveiling new experiences for St. Lucia and Antigua that are set to debut during the upcoming Caribbean season aboard Riviera. Already widely recognized as the cruise line for foodies, Culinary Discovery Tours provide Oceania Cruises guests with epicurean interests a unique opportunity to explore local food markets, vineyards, farms and restaurants with a knowledgeable chef from the Bon Appétit Culinary Center.

“Culinary traditions are often at the heart of many cultures and with our Culinary Discover Tours, we’re able to provide our guests with unique opportunities to share in those traditions firsthand,” explained Kathryn Kelly, Director of Culinary Enrichment for Oceania Cruises. “With our new tours in St. Lucia and Antigua, guests spend time in the kitchen with local culinary experts learning about the spices, fruits, vegetables and cooking customs that have influenced Caribbean cuisine for centuries. Our goal is for guests to leave the tour with new culinary skills, satisfied taste buds and a deeper appreciation for the vibrant culinary traditions found in the Caribbean”

The new Culinary Discovery Tours will be offered during the “Holidays In The Tropics” sailing that departs Miami on Dec. 23 and on two “Island Paradise” voyages embarking in early 2015. Highlights from the new Culinary Discovery Tours include:

St. Lucia - Spices Cooking Studio

After assembling at the Bon Appétit Culinary Center, guests begin the tour with a scenic drive through Rodney Bay Village to a magnificent private estate situated on the grounds of a former sugar cane plantation on the Atlantic side of the island. Guests explore an expansive herb garden at the estate before heading to inside the home for some hands-on cooking instruction. Using fresh, local ingredients, guests will prepare a menu of authentic Saint Lucian cuisine while learning about the subtleties of flavor and historical influences from the chef. Once the cooking process is complete, guests will enjoy their creations while taking in the natural vistas surrounding the property. On the return drive to the pier, guests will stop at the bustling open-air Castries Market, where farmers have brought locally grown fruits, vegetables and spices to market for nearly 100 years.

Antigua – Market Visit & Cooking Demo

Guests will enjoy a short ride to the center of downtown St. John’s and walk the local market with their Bon Appétit Culinary Center chef, who will show them a wide variety of typical local fruits such as breadfruit, mangoes, sour sap and dasheen. Afterwards, guests will make the short, but scenic, journey through the city of St. John’s to the charming Villas at Sunset Lane boutique hotel and cooking school owned by renowned Chef Jacquie, who will invite the guests into her kitchen to help prepare lunch. Chef Jacquie shops daily from local organic farmers and will share her secrets for shopping and eating seasonally. Following a hands-on cooking demonstration, guests will enjoy local, seasonal favorites for lunch while overlooking the beachfront property. After lunch, guests can go for a stroll on the private beach or relax at the property and perhaps peruse a book from Jacquie’s extensive library.