Assonave: European shipbuilding still in critical condition
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
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- Published: 20 July 2012 20 July 2012
Assonave – the National Association of Italian Shipbuilders, Shiprepairers and Ship suppliers – met under the chairmanship of Corrado Antonini in Rome yesterday. The report presented to the meeting showed that the situation is still critical: at 32 million compensated gross tonnes (cgt), world orders dropped by 18% over 2010 and in the first quarter of 2012 orders totalled less than 5 million cgt, down 24% on the same period in 2011. Were this trend to continue, 2012 would become one of the years when demand hit a record low. The financial crisis, which has led to a considerable slowdown in seaborne trades, came on top of a very high volume of newbuilding deliveries between 2009 and 2011, which in turn led to a general drop in freight rates, impacting on the profitability of shipowners and hence on ships new orders. The slowdown in orders has not only been recorded in the standard ships sector but also in the market for high tech ships, including cruise vessels, with the sole exception of the offshore sector and gas tankers, where the Korean and Norwegian shipbuilders excel.
Italian shipbuilding – mainly positioned in specialised niche markets – reflects the general trend of the industry: the orders gained last year amount to approximately 330,000 cgt, much less than the pre-crisis yearly average of 1 million cgt. As a consequence, the orderbook fell from 2.8 million cgt to 885,000 cgt at the close of 2011.
Considering that in the medium term world demand is not expected to exceed 40 million cgt and that these volumes will be matched by a production capacity which has reached 60 million cgt, the extent of the serious overcapacity which the sector will have to bear in the years to come is clear.
Within this context, in 2011 the cruise sector counted 19.5 million passengers worldwide, compared to 18.8 million in 2010, an increase of 3.7%. The outlook for the future is good. However, the fact that 10 ships were ordered in 2011, against 7 the previous year, should not lead to over-optimistic reactions: indeed in terms of lower berths the ships ordered amount to approximately 23,000 LBs compared to over 24,100 LBs in 2010.
Furthermore, if we compare the orders for the four pre-crisis years, 2004-2007, to 2008-2011, we can see a dramatic trend with the numbers of ships halved: 51 against 21.
Further cause for concern is the double order from Aida Cruises gained by Mitsubishi H.I. following financing by Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
In the naval sector, alongside positive results in the international field, concern is raised by the continuity of demand from the Italian Navy whose budget, which has been reduced considerably over the years, has been further cut by the recent measures aimed at containing public spending.
The European Commission has sought to tackle this critical downturn in a number of ways and through CESA - the European Association of Shipbuilders and Shiprepairers – it has been possible to obtain more favourable credit policies from the EIB and the renewal, for 2012-2013, of the Shipbuilding Framework which regulates the innovation aid to European shipbuilders. At the same time a new initiative, LeaderSHIP 2020, has been started with the aim to draw up a new industrial policy focusing on the development of sustainable maritime transport and on the exploitation of renewable marine energies, using the three levers of finance, research and innovation and social policies.
Speaking after the meeting the Chairman, Corrado Antonini, said: “We are faced with a further period of difficulty but we can and will use the wide range of levers at our disposal on an industrial, strategic and research level. It is up to the workforce to redouble their efforts to improve productivity and up to the state to ensure we are supported in terms of regulations and funding, especially for export and technological innovation. We must work together if we want to stay alive and to be ready to reap the rewards of a recovery in the sector, which we all hope will come sooner than we might now think.”
First plans and drawings revealed for the Titanic II
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
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- Published: 17 July 2012 17 July 2012
Professor Clive Palmer today released preliminary plans and drawings for the Titanic II project devised by international ship design and engineering company, Finnish-based Deltamarin.
The Titanic II Preliminary General Arrangement Plan and Preliminary Midship Section Drawing depicts nine decks complete with first, second and third class, officer and crew accommodation as well as the insertion of a new ‘Safety Deck’.
Professor Palmer said the plans from Deltamarin for his shipping company Blue Star Line represent a significant milestone for the Titanic II project.
"These plans underline the commitment and progression Blue Star Line has for the Titanic II project," Professor Palmer said.
He said from deck D upwards Deltamarin have managed to keep the public rooms, passenger stairs, cabins and other features in similar locations as in the original ship.
"The Preliminary General Arrangement plans depict the original separation between first, second and third class, which will be kept in the ship’s final design," Professor Palmer said.
"To ensure Titanic II is compliant with all current safety and construction regulations, a new ‘Safety Deck’ has been inserted between D and C decks and will feature proper lifeboats, safety chutes or slides as well as new common public rooms."
"New escape stairs, service elevators, air conditioning room and similar functions have also been added and the inclusions of main fire zones have been designed so that they have minimum disturbance on public rooms."
"G deck has also been re-designed to now feature crew accommodation, laundry, stores and machinery."
The final design is subject to approval of the board of Blue Star Lines.
He reaffirmed the first voyage remains set for late 2016, with the intention for Titanic II to sail from China to England before her maiden passenger voyage retracing its original journey.
"Blue Star Line’s website continues to receive an overwhelming response from people expressing an interest in receiving regular updates from us or requesting information on how to secure bookings for Titanic II’s maiden voyage," Professor Palmer said.
On April 30, 2012, Professor Palmer announced to the world his intention to build and launch Titanic II in conjunction with leading Chinese shipbuilders, CSC Jinling Shipyard.
The announcement came 100 years after the original vessel last sailed.
The work carried out by Deltamarin, one of the world’s leading ship design and marine engineering companies, will enable China’s CSC Jinling Shipyard to begin construction of the passenger liner.
Pullmantur revives Tallinn's turnaround sector
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
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- Published: 16 July 2012 16 July 2012
Estonia’s capital got a boost from Saturday 14 July when the Spanish cruise operator started to fly passengers on five of its own Air Pullmantur planes in and out of Lennart Meri Airport with Pullmantur expecting approximately 18,000 to pass through Port of Tallinn between now and September when the company’s Baltic season ends on the 15th.
Previously, Pullmantur had used Helsinki but it can be assumed the Finnish capital lost out to its neighbor and rival due to costs – Port of Helsinki has been by some way been the most expensive cruise ship call for years with fees for pilots to navigate its difficult approach plus environmental and waste management expenses adding up significantly while the city-owned port is seen as a juicy source of much needed revenue too.
Last year another Spanish operator, the now defunct Happy Cruises, used Tallinn’s compactness and comparative cheapness to turn around over 7,000 cruise tourists. The airport is a mere 5 kilometers from the city center cruise quay and thus passengers can transfer and be aboard their ship or plane in under an hour easily.
"The procedure will take place every two weeks," stated Lauri Linnmãe, Tallinn airport spokesman adding that "The service in terms of added value was in an entirely different category to just bringing a ship or an airplane to the country because it represented a big challenge for Estonian tourism and transport companies due to the demands required in terms of logistics coordination, client service and cross-cultural management."
"It means that the passengers who arrive from and depart back to Madrid before starting or completing of their cruise will need a long value chain providing work for tens of firms and a livelihood for many employees simultaneously," he concluded.
Pullmantur uses Empress during its short summer north European season that starts and finishes in Copenhagen as well as Tallinn calling at Warnemünde, Stockholm, Helsinki and St Petersburg in between when travelling from the Danish capital and in reverse from Tallinn. Two nights will be spent in St Petersburg taking advantage of the 72-hour visa-free rule for cruise ship visitors while the voyage between Stockholm and the German city of Warnemünde is so long it requires a night at sea.
Built in St Nazaire, France in 1990 as RCI’s Nordic Empress, the 48,500 gross ton, 208-meter long ship now takes up to a maximum 1,853 passengers (with a crew of 675) and has been in Pullmantur’s colors since sold in 2008 and now flies the Maltese flag with Valetta as home port. According to the company’s website, fares start from €699 or €999 if the flights are included. Pullmantur became a subsidiary of RCCL in 2006 and before becoming Empress, the ship operated under the name of Empress of the Seas for two years.
Regent unveils new itineraries and special savings with "Voyages to Explore" brochure
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
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- Published: 12 July 2012 12 July 2012
Regent Seven Seas Cruises introduces new itineraries and value-added savings with the launch of the new Voyages to Explore catalogue, providing a detailed look at the ultra-luxury line's all-inclusive itineraries for September 2012 through December 2013.
"Based on guest feedback, we added extended overnight stays in some of the most fascinating cities in the world, from Rio de Janeiro to Dubai. These exciting new itineraries combined with value-added savings help make the Regent Seven Seas experience unmatched," said Mark Conroy, the line's president. "The new Voyages to Explore brochure gives travel agents an ideal selling tool to showcase Regent Seven Seas' distinctive all-inclusive offerings."
Introducing new voyages and itineraries
Voyages to Explore debuts two new sailings for 2013 including the 21-night Red Sea Odyssey departing November 12 from Istanbul to Dubai aboard the all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Voyager. Extended overnight stays in Jerusalem (Haifa), Luxor (Safaga) and Dubai and up to 62 free shore excursions are included in the cruise fare.
Also new, South American Symphony departs Buenos Aires on December 20 for 15-nights aboard the all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Mariner. Visiting Montevideo and Punta Del Este in Uruguay; and Rio Grande, Porto Belo, and Santos in Brazil, before ending in Rio de Janeiro, the voyage offers as many as 43 complimentary shore excursions.
For more South American exploration, the 700-guest Seven Seas Mariner adds extra overnight stays in Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires on the 12-night Cosmopolitan Classics voyage departing December 8, 2013 and the 30-night Transoceanic Reverie departing November 20, 2013.
New land programs in Athens, Barcelona, Monte Carlo and Lima allow guests to enhance their pre-and post-cruise vacation with a variety of excursions, from exploring the Temple of Apollo in Greece to climbing Machu Picchu in Peru.
2012-13 Voyages to Explore catalogue
The newest Voyages to Explore edition has been enhanced with stunning photography including new images of the recently refurbished Seven Seas Navigator and featured menu items from Sette Mari at La Veranda.
"The images definitely help tell the Regent Seven Seas Cruises luxury story," said Kari Tarnowski, the line's senior vice president of marketing. "In addition, our travel partners will find valuable information such as concise voyage details, value-added cruise amenities and new pre- and post-cruise experiences."
Also included in the brochure is "The Best Value in Luxury Cruising" double-sided insert that Tarnowski cited as a particularly valuable tool for travel agents. It compares Regent Seven Seas' all-inclusive pricing for a September Mediterranean sailing, as an example, with two premium cruise lines, clearly demonstrating Regent Seven Sea's all-inclusive value proposition.
Incomparable value: New combination savings
Two-for-one fares with additional bonus savings and two-for-one reduced deposits are offered on all 2012 sailings when booked by September 30, 2012. Additional savings on fares are now available on select sailings in 2012 and 2013 on all three award-winning ships starting at $2,999 in the Caribbean.
Additional values include a special 20 percent savings by combining Seven Sea Voyager's 14-night Iberian Interlude sailing from Southampton on September 16, 2012, with the Gems of Provence seven-night voyage departing Barcelona to Monte Carlo on September 30 for a 21-night exploration of Europe. Or, the same Gems of Provence sailing can be combined with the subsequent 10-night The Classic Mediterranean from Monte Carlo to Venice on October 7 for an in-depth 17-night voyage of the region.
An additional five percent savings is offered on select 2012/2013 back-to-back voyages in the Asia/South Pacific region.
Crystal Cruises previews 2015 World Cruise
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
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- Published: 10 July 2012 10 July 2012
* Miami to Callao/Lima (16 days)
* Callao/Lima to Auckland (19 days)
* Auckland to Perth (21 days)
* Perth to Cape Town (21 days)
* Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro (15 days)
* Rio de Janeiro to Miami (16 days)
“For our 20th World Cruise, travelers can expect an especially spectacular addition to their personal bank of once-in-a-lifetime memories, with popular cultural capitals and off-the-beaten-path jewels that appeal to both our loyal regulars and those new to us,” says Crystal President Gregg Michel. “Add the hands-on world education, the bonding among guests, easy country-hopping, and luxurious home base of Crystal Serenity to the round-trip Miami circumnavigation and 25th anniversary celebrations, and this is sure to be one of the finest global explorations any adventurer could ever experience.”
Additional itinerary highlights include maiden calls in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Albany, Australia; Ambodifotra and Taolagnaro, Madagascar; and Richards Bay, S. Africa (in addition to three other South African calls), and stops in Easter Island, Bora Bora, the Cook Islands, Wellington, Sydney, Melbourne, Reunion Island, Buenos Aires, Cartagena, Turks & Caicos, and more. Full World Cruisers receive a host of complimentary perks such as private enrichment classes, fitness programs, entertainment, social invitations, and mementos. The full itinerary will be posted on crystalcruises.com by July 16.
Crystal’s focus on stylish, comfortable design, most recently reinforced via $40 million extreme ship makeovers of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, combined with warm and friendly attentiveness, proffered by top-trained service staff from around the world, has earned the line a reputation for elevating hospitality to an art form. With a host of complimentary amenities, from custom-crafted cocktails and included gratuities, to specialty restaurant dining, featuring the cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio, and Creative Learning Institute partnerships with names such as USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, a Crystal cruise always offers tremendous value in luxury resort vacationing. The line’s passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history.
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