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DFDS to close historic passenger ferry route due to new sulphur rules

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 April 2014 29 April 2014

DFDS' historic passenger ferry route between Harwich and Esbjerg has been struggling for a long time with high costs, loss of passengers and freight being switched to road transport. The route is therefore unable to bear the substantial additional costs that a new environmental law will entail. It will close on 29 September 2014. DFDS is now gathering its efforts to secure the major freight route between Esbjerg and Immingham and the many jobs that this route also generates.

September 29 will mark the end of an era and the possibility of sailing directly from Harwich to Esbjerg, Denmark, on the historic ferry route that opened in 1875 with the inauguration of the port of Esbjerg.

The loss of tax-free sales and increasing competition from low-cost airlines mean that passenger numbers have fallen from 300,000 to around 80,000. Transport of industrial cargo between the UK and Denmark has also declined.

DFDS has worked hard to cut costs on the route to make it more competitive. Among other tactics, the route was changed into a combined freight and passenger service, the number of crew on board was reduced, slow steaming was introduced to save fuel, the number of departures was decreased and centralised sales tried to increase passenger numbers with aggressive marketing. "But unfortunately we haven't been able to reduce costs enough to enable the route to bear the very high additional costs of around £2m a year," says DFDS CEO Niels Smedegaard. "This is what the new environmental law and the requirement to use low-sulphur oil will cost based on current oil prices from 1 January 2015.

"The route is of particular historical significance to DFDS so it's a very sad day for us all. Our regrets go to our many passengers who must now see the last passenger ferry route between the UK and Scandinavia close. It's also regrettable that up to 130 jobs on board and ashore will be affected by the closure, even though we are fortunate that we can offer jobs to everyone onboard on other routes."

The Esbjerg-Immingham freight route

DFDS will do everything to ensure freight customers still receive a good service on the freight route between Esbjerg and Immingham. The two big and modern vessels offer a daily departure each way with a crossing time of 18 hours. "This route will also be hit by the substantial extra costs as a result of the new sulphur rules. We therefore need to keep a tight focus on costs to prevent the transfer of freight to road transport that will otherwise become a consequence of the new sulphur rules. We will therefore step up negotiations with employees, partners and other stakeholders to find solutions to reduce costs and increase flexibility. That will help us ensure the route's development as an important transport route between the UK and Denmark - and also as an important employment base," says Niels Smedegaard.

Alternative passenger routes

DFDS Seaways operates a number of passenger routes from the UK to France and Holland, including daily Newcastle-Amsterdam service on the North Sea and our frequent cross Channel services from Dover to Dunkirk and Calais in France, which comprise up to 44 sailings a day. It also operate two ferry routes into France across the Western Channel, which sail from Newhaven to Dieppe and Portsmouth to Le Havre on a daily basis. These routes enable them to continue to provide our passengers with a choice of convenient entry points into Continental Europe and beyond.

Sirena Seaways, the vessel which has served the route since 2003, will be moved to other duties.

Celebrity Cruises unveils new 'firsts' onboard Equinox

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 April 2014 29 April 2014

Celebrity Cruises has yesterday revealed a series of brand-first enhancements to be introduced onboard Celebrity Equinox. Emerging from a scheduled drydock in Cadiz, Spain on Thursday, May 8, the Solstice Class ship will tout new signature spaces and experiences in time for guests’ summer vacations during Celebrity’s most immersive season in Europe.

Recognized for its unique and rich dining program, Celebrity will add two one-of-a-kind concepts to the array of guest-favorite Solstice Class features onboard:

– Gastrobar – A new craft beer and comfort food venue, Gastrobar will offer food and beer enthusiasts over 40 handcrafted boutique beers to choose from in addition to Celebrity's varied collection of wines and tasty cocktails with a twist, all perfectly paired with a menu of elevated bar-fare creations. Gastrobar’s upscale casual surroundings will feature inviting entertainment and music for the complete sophisticated lounge experience. Guests can find the new venue in the space formerly known as Cellar Masters.

– Slush – Expanding guests’ ‘cool’ beverage options, Slush – a frozen drinks venue – introduces Celebrity’s curated menu of flavor-rich and fresh frozen cocktails. Slush will feature alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails with perfectly balanced ingredients ranging from fresh pressed lemon juice, raspberries, cucumbers and mint to Persian lime, Florida Valencia and Hamlin orange juice with organic agave nectar.

Celebrity Equinox will also expand its retail offerings with "The Studio - Fine Art Photography” – a high-end portrait studio ideal for capturing guests’ friends, family or couples vacation photos; the addition of the ever-popular Michael Kors boutique, first introduced onboard Celebrity Silhouette; enhanced upscale brand products available in stores including Chanel, Clinique, Dior, Lancôme, Estée Lauder, Desigual and UNOde50; and the ship's new Internet lounge, Celebrity iLounge, in the space formerly known as Online@Celebrity.

Starting June 15, 2014, Celebrity Equinox offers four different 7-night Mediterranean sailings, which can be combined into immersive vacation experiences as long as 28 nights, with Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy the only repeat port-of-call in the lineup.

HFW advises Genting Hong Kong on €707 million newbuild cruise ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 April 2014 28 April 2014

A team of HFW lawyers has advised Chinese Dream Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong Limited (Genting), on its newbuild cruise ship order with German shipbuilder Meyer Werft GmbH, in a deal worth €707.2 million (approx. HK$7,574 million).

The deal, which was led by Hong Kong Partner Patrick Yeung, involved HFW lawyers from both the Hong Kong and London offices. From the London office, Partner Elinor Dautlich and Senior Associate Alex Sayegh acted for Genting in negotiating the shipbuilding contract, with Partner John Forrester and Associate Gudmund Bernitz advising on the ECA-backed financing of the newbuild.

The Genting Group operates under the principal brand name of Star Cruises. Star Cruises, together with its associate company, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited is the third largest cruise operator in the world, with a total combined fleet of 20 ships travelling to over 130 destinations, offering approximately 42,000 lower berths. Genting is listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and is traded on the GlobalQuote of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited.

HFW Partner Patrick Yeung said of the deal: "The construction of this cruise ship is entirely in line with Genting's long-term strategy to develop its cruise business in the Asia-Pacific market. The new ship will principally serve the mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan markets, which are growing in terms of cruising."

MSC Cruises to upgrade Aurea experience drinks package

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 April 2014 24 April 2014

MSC Cruises, the Geneva based cruise shipping company, said it is upgrading the drinks package included in its Aurea onboard experience. "From 1 May 2014, all Aurea guests will receive the all-inclusive Allegrissimo drinks package as standard – giving them unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from the bar list, including spirits and cocktails, as well as free ice-cream. Currently, Aurea guests receive the Cheers! package, which includes drinks during lunch and dinner," the company said in a statement.

All guests already booked to travel with an Aurea Experience will be automatically upgraded to the Allegrissimo package. The Aurea Experience offers an expansive range of benefits and is aimed at guests seeking relaxation and pampering.

As well as 24-hour room service and the option of breakfast in cabin, some of the other benefits include a complimentary spa package (featuring access to the Thermal Area for the entire cruise, Balinese massage, Solarium and welcome cocktail); luxurious cabin with wellbeing products, bathrobe and slippers; access to an exclusive sun deck, flexible dining in a dedicated restaurant area; and priority boarding.

MSC Cruises introduced its 'experienced-based’ pricing structure earlier this year. Guests now choose cabin type and one of four categories of experience – Bella, Fantastica, Aurea and Yacht Club – ensuring they get the very best holiday to suit their needs and budget.

Regal Princess completes successful sea trials

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 April 2014 24 April 2014

Regal Princess has accomplished another major milestone in preparation for her May 20 debut, with the completion of her sea trials. The new cruise ship set out to sea from her construction dock at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, and was put through her paces with a series of maneuvers to test her propulsion, steering and navigational equipment. After a successful five days of trials, the ship is now back in the shipyard for further exterior and interior finishing. Regal Princess will be ready for her maiden voyage from Venice, a seven-day Mediterranean cruise to Athens including stops in Corfu, Mykonos and an overnight call in Istanbul.

Throughout the summer, the new ship will sail on Princess' signature Grand Mediterranean cruises, with two itinerary choices.

Regal Princess, a sister ship to Royal Princess, will offer guests a variety of enticing features, including a soaring atrium, the social hub of the ship; a dramatic over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel; plush private poolside cabanas; the Princess Live! television studio; a dedicated pastry shop; a special Chef's Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms.