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Torghatten and Myklebust Verft to build the world's largest hydrogen ferries

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 April 2024 23 April 2024

Torghatten Nord has chosen the Norwegian Myklebust Shipyard for the construction of two hydrogen ferries, which will carry up to 120 cars on Norway's longest ferry route between Bodø and Lofoten. The ferries will be the world's largest hydrogen ships, and will be bunkered with hydrogen produced in Bodø.

"At Myklebust we found an environment with high competence at a sustainable price. I am proud that we are making it happen in Norway, because this is a big boost for the Norwegian technology and shipyard environment. Together with the authorities, we are in the process of setting the standard for a completely new class of ship, with a world-class innovation and climate project," says Marius Hansen, managing director of Torghatten Nord.

Myklebust Verft is based in Gursken south of Ålesund. The contract for the construction of the 117 meter long ferries means increased staffing and high activity at the shipyard for the foreseeable future.

"We are very pleased to have reached the goal of an agreement to build the world's largest hydrogen ship, in close cooperation with the shipping company. Together with the maritime cluster in Norway, we will develop new knowledge, secure jobs and be able to take on more apprentices with this assignment. It will be exciting to deliver something that no one has done before us," says Leiv Sindre Muren, CEO of Myklebust Verft.

The Minister of Transport is satisfied that the task of building the hydrogen ferries goes to a Norwegian shipyard.

"I would like to congratulate Torghatten Nord and Myklebust Verft on an important agreement for the Norwegian maritime industry. The government is concerned with sustainability, good pay and working conditions, the use of apprentices, innovation and local ripple effects in our contracts. The agreement shows that Norwegian shipyards are competitive, and it will contribute to building more expertise in zero-emission solutions," says transport minister John-Ivar Nygård.

Passenger traffic with hydrogen over such a long and demanding distance has not been carried out anywhere else in the world. The design and technical solutions must take care of all the safety aspects for ferries that travel long distances in weather-exposed waters.

"There are no other maritime hydrogen projects internationally that come close to the scale and ambitions of this project. We have therefore prioritized spending some time on building a team of Norwegian suppliers with the aim of transporting the local population, businesses and tourists in a safe, efficient and comfortable way. It goes to design, safety systems, hydrogen production, and now construction of the vessels. It has been particularly demanding to get this in place in a market characterized by war and uncertainty in Europe," says Hansen in Torghatten Nord.

The ferries will be delivered from Myklebust Verft during 2026. The suppliers of design, technology, equipment and hydrogen in the project are Norwegian, and the project also has close cooperation with the Norwegian Maritime Directorate and the class company Lloyd's Register to develop procedures and safety standards for a completely new type of ferries .

"When we are building two large ships packed with new technology, it is desirable that the project is thoroughly worked out before the contract with the shipyard is signed. We have now laid a good foundation to succeed with the ambitions in the project," says Hansen.

Norwegian Cruise Line and Fincantieri celebrate float out of Norwegian Aqua

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 April 2024 23 April 2024

Norwegian Cruise Line along with its partners at Fincantieri, the Italian shipbuilding company, today commemorated the float out of Norwegian Aqua, the first of the expanded Prima Plus Class, from its dry dock at the shipyard in Marghera (Venice), Italy, marking a major construction milestone and the first time the vessel made contact with the water.

Today’s launching of Norwegian Aqua signifies the completion of the external work done on the ship readying it for its April 2025 debut. To celebrate this milestone, two ceremonial coins were welded into Norwegian Aqua in maritime tradition, which historically symbolized an offering to ancient gods and goddesses of the sea in exchange for good luck and safe passage for the vessel. The ceremony was followed by a blessing by a local chaplain and celebratory champagne breaking across the ship’s hull.

"We are excited to celebrate another milestone with our partners at Fincantieri, who are integral to the Prima Class journey and supporting us in evolving the amazing experience we design and deliver for our guests,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Building upon the guest-favorite features of the award-winning vessels of this class, the 10% increase in space provides us with more flexibility to deliver more offerings and more beautifully designed venues for our guests to relax and explore on board Norwegian Aqua.”

At 156,300 gross tons and a length that spans 1,056 feet, Norwegian Aqua will be 10% larger than the first two Prima Class vessels, which also feature the craftmanship of Fincantieri, providing more space and more innovative offerings including the world’s first-ever hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, the Aqua Slidecoaster; a new digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor, Glow Court; and NCL’s most expansive 360-degree outdoor promenade, Ocean Boulevard, to date. The ship will also boast luxurious accommodations in The Haven by Norwegian, including NCL’s first-ever Three-Bedroom Duplex Haven Suites.

“We are excited to mark this significant moment with Norwegian Cruise Line as we witness the float out of Norwegian Aqua, which represents a new chapter in our long-lasting partnership,” stated Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of the Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division. “We are proud to be part of this transformative journey in which innovation, a cornerstone of our industrial plan, is one of our key points, as we strive to push boundaries and elevate industry standards."

Construction continues on Norwegian Aqua until its debut in April 2025, where the ship will sail 7-day Caribbean itineraries departing from Port Canaveral, Fla. With calls to the tropical island destinations of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas. Following the ship’s Caribbean season, Norwegian Aqua will offer five and 7-day voyages to Bermuda from New York City from August 2025 through October 2025 and then cruise 5- and 7-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Miami, the “Cruise Capital of the World,” beginning October 2025 through April 2026.

“The Prima Class is a true evolution of the brand,” said Mark Kansley, senior vice president of hotel operations of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We hear from our guests following every cruise, and they appreciate the intimate nature and greater variety of elevated spaces throughout the ship for them to relax in or explore while on vacation. We are excited to soon deliver on this next chapter of our evolution – the Prima Plus Class – and bring our guests along on our journey.”

Princess Cruises unveils exclusive new Sanctuary Collection aboard Sun Princess and Star Princess

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 April 2024 23 April 2024

Elevating the art of relaxation and serenity, Princess Cruises is introducing exclusive, next-level Sanctuary Collection aboard Sun Princess and Star Princess, as these newest ships prepare to debut with this select, all-inclusive oasis in early 2024.

As the name suggests, guests reserving in the Sanctuary Collection enjoy exclusive access to the ship’s top deck retreat area, along with a host of additional and high-end amenities designed to enhance their voyage. These indulgences include exclusive private dining and relaxation areas, a luxurious stateroom experience, as well as the Princess Premier bundle to round out the all-inclusive allure of the Sanctuary experience.

Aboard Sun Princess, the luxurious, spa-inspired, top-deck Sanctuary Club, is now reserved exclusively for Sanctuary Collection guests who access the private entry via their Princess Medallion. In the adults-only (16 and up) area, guests enjoy plush lounge furniture, private cabanas, pool and jacuzzi, attentive service, soothing music, refreshing beverages, and light fare. The Club also features exclusive programming, including sunrise yoga classes and sail-away receptions.

Other Sanctuary Collection amenities include priority specialty restaurant reservations, and premium stateroom amenities.

The new Sanctuary Collection aboard Sun Princess includes three levels of stateroom types – Signature Collection Suites (80), Mini Suites (123), and Premium Deluxe Balconies (12).

“Our new Sanctuary Collection offers guests those ultra-private, tucked away spaces that rival any high-end resort and surpasses the offerings of comparable cruise lines featuring similar ship-within-a-ship amenities,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. “With spacious and well-appointed accommodations, along with an array of premium extras and its exclusivity, our new Sanctuary Collection delivers the ultimate in access and indulgence to deliver an unparalleled experience.”

Sanctuary Collection staterooms on Sun Princess and Star Princess go on sale today. Guests who have booked as of April 23, 2024 already have reserved Sanctuary Collection staterooms on either ship will receive the additional amenities outlined at no additional cost, excluding the premier bundle.

The 177,500-ton, 4,300-guest Sun Princess offers an array of exciting new culinary and entertainment offerings, as well as luxurious staterooms and suites across a broad spectrum of categories. With the most balconies and sun decks on any Princess ship, guests can take in the sunshine and crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean and Caribbean from the comfort of their stateroom.

Viking announces launch of initial public offering

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 April 2024 23 April 2024

Viking Holdings Ltd (“Viking”) yesterday announced the launch of its initial public offering of 44,000,000 ordinary shares pursuant to a registration statement on Form F-1 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Viking is offering 11,000,000 ordinary shares and the selling shareholders are offering 33,000,000 ordinary shares. In connection with the offering, the selling shareholders have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 6,600,000 ordinary shares to cover over-allotments. The initial public offering price is currently expected to be between $21.00 and $25.00 per ordinary share. Viking has applied to list its ordinary shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “VIK.” The proposed offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering.

BofA Securities and J.P. Morgan (listed in alphabetical order) are acting as lead underwriters and representatives for the proposed offering. UBS Investment Bank and Wells Fargo Securities are also acting as lead book-running managers. HSBC and Morgan Stanley are acting as bookrunners for the proposed offering, and Rothschild & Co, Stifel, Drexel Hamilton, LLC, Loop Capital Markets LLC and R. Seelaus & Co., LLC are acting as co-managers for the proposed offering.

The proposed offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus, when available, may be obtained from: BofA Securities, NC1-022-02-25, 201 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255-0001, Attention: Prospectus Department, telephone: 1-800-294-1322, or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, telephone: 1-866-803-9204, or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

Princess Cruises and Fincantieri announce to postpone delivery of Star Princess

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 April 2024 21 April 2024

Princess Cruises and shipbuilder Fincantieri announced on April 19 the mutual decision to postpone the delivery of the next Sphere Class ship, Star Princess.

Following a comprehensive review of the remaining construction milestones, both parties have elected to adjust the ship's delivery date from July 29, 2025 to September 26, 2025, which will result in the cancellation of the nine inaugural sailings.

"Despite our collective dedication and relentless pursuit to deliver the ship in late July, it has become evident that additional time is required to ensure the Star Princess is delivered to the highest standards expected by our guests," said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises.

The new inaugural sailings of Star Princess will sail roundtrip from Barcelona and include an 11-day Mediterranean voyage on October 4, 2025, and a 7-day Mediterranean voyage on October 15, 2025, that precede a 14-day transatlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale on October 22, 2025 for the ship's first Caribbean season. These three new cruises will open for sale on April 30, 2024.

Guests who are booked on any of the impacted voyages will be given three options: book any Princess cruise worldwide, including aboard the new Star, sister ship Sun Princess, or any other Princess ship.

Guests who elect to rebook will receive future cruise- and onboard-credits depending on the cruise they select. Guests will also have the option to cancel and receive a full refund of the cruise fare.

Princess will protect travel agent commissions on all bookings that have been paid in full.

Star Princess is the second in the new Sphere Class of ships for Princess. Sister ship Sun Princess, built by Fincantieri in Monfalcone, debuted in February and is hailed as the next level Love Boat featuring the iconic and elegant structural lines Princess is known for, while delivering an evolution of the brand with new eye-catching architectural spectacles like The Dome, the cruise industry's first geodesic feature on the top deck, and The Sphere, the suspended glass Sphere Piazza at the center of the cruise ship.