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Virgin Voyages enters in sustainable marine fuel partnerships

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 September 2022 22 September 2022

Virgin Voyages, which is part of the London based Virgin Group of companies, said it is working to make its cruise ships more sustainable, through partnerships with independent sustainability experts the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials, and three leading waste-based sustainable fuel providers.

Following months of research, Virgin Voyages has taken an important step towards a low-carbon future by establishing these key partnerships and is working with multiple partners on sustainable marine fuel supply. Because there’s no one-size-fits-all low-carbon fuel solution, Virgin Voyages will work with three partners through long-term partnerships to develop the best solutions:

Twelve – A carbon transformation company with revolutionary technology using air (not oil) to produce materials and fuel sources

Adopting sustainable fuels, such as those made from waste, or direct air capture of CO2, is essential for reaching net zero by 2050. Virgin Voyages estimates that by switching to sustainable marine fuels, the line will reduce its life-cycle carbon emissions from fuel by 75% or more.

Argent Energy – The European waste-based biodiesel producer with a vision to help decarbonise transport worldwide

Good Fuels – Global market leader of accelerating the transition from harmful emissions into sustainable marine fuel by implementing waste-based technology

“In order to significantly reduce our carbon footprint further, we must transition to lower-carbon fuel sources as soon as possible. We could do this today with our existing engines if more sustainable ‘drop-in’ fuels were available in our ports of call. Unfortunately, these fuels are not yet widely available, and in most cases, are not cost competitive. We want to work with partners to pioneer for the essential change,” said Tom McAlpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages, in a statement.

“Virgin will always aim to be a leader in the industries we operate in,” added Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group. “We aspire to make the cruise industry better in many ways including through climate action. I’m proud that Virgin Voyages will be working with industry partners and others to shape the future of more sustainable cruise travel and to bring about a real sea change for all.”

Virgin Voyages is championing key partnerships across the cruise industry and advocating for supportive policies and incentives that will enable these solutions to reach a great scale. By working collectively with other leading stakeholders to drive demand and increase access to supply, Virgin Voyages is on a mission to change the industry for good. This is an important step in developing the appropriate infrastructure and creating policies that reduce carbon emissions.

Project aims to introduce carbon neutral Finland-Sweden ferry travel by 2027

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 September 2022 22 September 2022

The shipbuilder Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC), cruise ferry operator Viking Line, Åbo Akademi university and Kempower that designs and manufactures DC fast charging solutions for electric vehicles are developing a carbon-neutral sea route between Stockholm and Turku.

“Business Finland has granted €1,596,000 funding for a joint project between Rauma Marine Constructions, Viking Line, Åbo Akademi University and Kempower. The project, named Decatrip, aims to develop solutions that enable carbon-neutral shipping between Turku and Stockholm. It is estimated that this target can be reached by 2027,” Kempower said in a statement.

“The solutions developed in the project will enable fully carbon-neutral freight and passenger travel between Turku and Stockholm, but the project will also be scalable for other routes. This is important since all EU countries, Finland included, have signed on to build green maritime transport corridors,” says Mika Laurilehto, interim CEO, RMC.

The Business Finland funding is directed to RMC, Åbo Akademi University and Kempower. In addition, Åland-based Viking Line has received backing from the Government of Åland since Business Finland cannot grant funding to a company from Åland.

Initially, the project will aim to turn a sea route operated by Viking Line carbon neutral. Within the project, RMC is developing energy-efficient solutions for operating the ships, and together with Kempower, for charging electric vehicles on board the ships.

Åbo Akademi University, which acts as a research partner in the project, will be evaluating the societal benefits of the green corridor. PBI Research Institute will coordinate the project. Fuel for the zero-carbon transport is planned to be manufactured locally in Southwest Finland.

Dr. Magnus Gustafsson, Research Director in Industrial Management at Åbo Akademi University, estimates that the decarbonisation of the Viking Line route between Turku and Stockholm can be achieved within five years.

“Consumers increasingly want the products and services they buy to be sustainable, and this is reflected throughout the entire logistics chain. The project is starting from the position that the transition to zero emissions will not increase the costs significantly,” he said.

Silversea reveals line-up of experts for the inaugural sailing of Silver Endeavour

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 September 2022 21 September 2022

Silversea Cruises, the leading ultra-luxury and expedition cruise line, has named its line-up of experts for the inaugural voyage of new ship Silver Endeavour℠, the world’s most luxurious expedition ship. Departing round-trip from King George Island on November 21, 2022, Silver Endeavour will host qualified historians, marine biologists, anthropologists, naturalists, filmmakers, and more on her maiden voyage, enriching guests’ experiences with informative lectures, workshops, and excursions as they journey deep into the White Continent. In celebration of the milestone occasion, Conrad Combrink – Silversea’s SVP Expedition, Destination and Itinerary Management – will accompany travellers on the seven-day fly-cruise sailing.

“The world’s most luxurious expedition vessel, Silver Endeavour has broadened Silversea’s polar offering – the most diverse in ultra-luxury expedition cruising – to unlock all-new experiences for guests,” said Conrad Combrink. “Marking my 78th journey to the continent, I am excited to accompany our guests as we fly on an exclusive, Silversea-curated, chartered DAP Antarctic Airways flight directly into Antarctica, embarking Silver Endeavour at King George Island, before spending seven days discovering this frozen world. Our industry-leading expedition team will design an exceptional line-up of experiences to showcase the very best of the continent’s icy landscapes and captivating wildlife during Silver Endeavour’s inaugural season, while Captain Niklas Peterstam and his crew will ensure an exceptional service throughout—having served aboard the ship since September 2021.”

The White Continent via Antarctica Bridge

For the inaugural voyage of Silver Endeavour, Silversea’s guests will fly directly to Antarctica in European business-class comfort through Antarctica Bridge, the cruise line’s fly-cruise offering, embarking the ship on King George Island on November 21, 2022. Some of the destinations that guests might experience include the Antarctic Sound, where travellers may be greeted by towering ice formations as they approach the northernmost point of the Antarctic Peninsula. They will have the opportunity to explore the landscape, with hiking excursions, Zodiac tours, and kayaking, hosted by the expedition team. Days will be spent exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, with sightings of vast penguin colonies and other wildlife species, including whales, various other bird species, and seals. Following in the footsteps of famous explorers, Silversea plans to call in the South Shetland Islands, before returning to King George Island where guests will board a flight back to Punta Arenas.

An industry leading team

Captain Niklas Peterstam, who has served aboard Silver Endeavour since September 2021, will welcome guests as the ship’s Master for her inaugural season – together with his Senior Officers and an experienced crew. Strengthening Silversea’s destination leadership, the cruise line’s industry-leading expedition team will enrich the voyage with topical workshops, lectures, and guided tours. Led by Expedition Leader Marieke Egan, the team will embark the ship ahead of her maiden sailing and will remain on board for the duration of her inaugural Antarctica season. As well as benefitting from the presence of Silversea executive Conrad Combrink, guests travelling aboard Silver Endeavour’s inaugural sailing will also enjoy lectures on Ernest Shackleton and the HMS Endeavour from Nicholas Crane, the former President of the Royal Geographical Society.

Royal Caribbean Group extends term loan maturity

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 September 2022 20 September 2022

Royal Caribbean Group, the world’s second largest cruise shipping group, said it had extended the maturity of a term loan agreement with Bank of America.

“On September 19, 2022, we amended our unsecured term loan agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (the “BofA Term Loan”) to, among other things, extend the maturity date of advances held by consenting lenders by twelve months to October 2024,” the company said in a statement.

“Consenting lenders received a prepayment equal to 10% of their respective outstanding advances,” the company said.

Following this amendment, the aggregate outstanding principal balance of advances under the BofA Term Loan is $501.6 million, with $30.0 million maturing in October 2023 and $471.6 million maturing in October 2024, Royal Caribbean said.

TUI says cruise recovery continues as expected

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 September 2022 20 September 2022

Recovery of the cruise operations of TUI AG, the German tour operator, continues in line with the company’s expectations, it said in a statement.

“Cruises has continued to recover into Q4, with occupancies building strongly and rates in line with 2019 levels. Winter 2022/23 occupancies are developing in line with our expectations at rates above 2019 levels,” the company said.

TUI AG’s financial year ends on 30 September.

"We continue to see strong demand for our unique cruise brands which offer a strong value proposition for customers in the current inflationary environment. Short-term bookings continue to represent a large share of overall bookings, however, the proportion of mid- term bookings is increasing as customer confidence returns,” the company said.

Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, which are parts of TUI Cruises that is jointly owned with the Royal Caribbean Group, are currently operating all their 12 ships, offering itineraries in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and around the world, with Asia itineraries resuming in Winter 2022/23.

Marella Cruises, which focuses on the UK market and is fully owned by TUI AG, with its fleet of four ships, currently operates itineraries across the Mediterranean and in Winter 2022/23 with one ship in the Canaries and three ships in the Caribbean.

Photo: Marella Voyager will join Marella Cruises' fleet in June 2023. The ship currently operates as main Schiff Herz for Mein Schiff