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SunStone Ships signs for seventh newbuild

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 31 May 2019 31 May 2019

SunStone Ships signed an agreement Wednesday, May 29, 2019 in Hong Kong, China for the 
Infinity-class Vessel No. 7, continuing with the European designed, Chinese built concept.

The seventh vessel now ordered has a long-term charter agreement in place, this vessel will be delivered in September 2021.

Infinity-class new-builds underway include the Greg Mortimer, scheduled to be delivered August 2019, the Ocean Victory in October 2020, the Ocean Explorer in January 2021, the Ocean Odyssey in March 2022, the Ocean Discoverer in September 2022 and the Ocean Albatros in October 2022. 



Infinity-class Vessels are 104 meters long, and 18 meters wide, having a draft of 5.1 meters; they feature a capacity between 130-200 passengers and a crew capacity between 85 and 115 members. The vessels are Ice Class 1A, Polar Code 6 and are being built with Safe Return to Port, Dynamic Positioning, and Zero Speed Stabilizers. 

The Vessels are featuring the X-Bow by Ulstein Design & Solutions. They are small enough to give an exclusive atmosphere, yet large enough to yield all expected services and facilities as larger cruise ships such as a swimming pool, bar, restaurants, lounge, boutique, gym, and a spa.

Helsinki Shipyard signs LOI for two expedition cruise ships – report

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 28 May 2019 28 May 2019

Helsinki Shipyard in Finland which has just changed owners, has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with an undisclosed customer to build two expedition cruise ships, the Hufvudstadsbladet daily reports.

The vessels will have capacity of 150 to 160 passengers each, the report said.

The shipyard is now owned by Algador Holdings, a Cyprus based company owned by Vladimir Kasjanenko, who is a Russian citizen and Rishat Bagautdinov who is a citizen of Belgium.

Helsinki Shipyard was previously known as Arctech and it was fully owed by United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), a Russian state owned company. Sanctions imposed by the United States against Russia hampered its business and USC decided to sell Arctech, which has currently no vessels in its orderbook.

The shipbuilder’s history spans about 150 years and it has changed hands several times over the decades. Before USC, it was owned by STX Offshore & Shipbuilding through its STX Europe unit, which was preceded by Aker Yards, Kvaerner Masa-Yards and Wartsila Marine Industries.

It has played a prominent role in the development of the modern cruise industry as it built e.g. the first three ships of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd (RCCL) and the Royal Princess of 1984, which revolutionised the layout of cruise ships. No cruise ships were built at the yard during the ownership of USC and Aker Yards used it mainly to build large ferries.

 elsinki Shipyard leases the land on which its facilities are located from the municipal government. “One of my first tasks is to try to extend the lease with the City of Helsinki. The present contract will expire in 2035 and we want to extend it to 2045,” Managing Director Carl-Gustaf Rotkirch was quoted by Hufvudstadsbladet as saying.

Genting Cruise Lines reveals more details of Global-class newbuilds

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 25 May 2019 25 May 2019

Global-class – theme park

During an event taken place onboard the World Dream docked at Hong Kong's Kait Tak cruise terminal, the company revealed more details on its upcoming 204,000 gross ton ships being built at MV Werften in Germany.

“To seize these opportunities ahead, Genting Hong Kong has visionary plans, and we're here to unveil one of them. In 2021, Genting Hong Kong will debut its first Global-class ship. At more than 200,000 tonnes and over 340 metres long, this luxury liner is expected to accommodate some 5,000 passengers in 2,500 cabins. This evening, we get to launch one of them – a show cabin designed to give us a taste of tomorrow's Genting luxury. I look forward to seeing the cabin, but I am looking even more forward to welcoming this liner to Hong Kong in the future.," said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay.

Over the past quarter century, the company has cemented its reputation in the cruise industry for its commitment to providing the best cruise products available in the region.

Genting Cruise Lines is built upon three pillars of excellence – a “Made in Germany” cruise fleet synonymous with the highest in quality, safety, comfort and reliability, legendary Asian service and hospitality and uncompromising North European safety standards.

Looking ahead to the next 25 years, Genting Cruise Lines has acquired its own shipyards in Germany, called MV Werften, and will be building a fleet of technologically advanced cruise ships for its three brands. The first of a fleet of luxurious 20,000 gross ton Endeavor-class expedition vessels will be delivered to Crystal Cruises in 2020, followed in succession by the first of a fleet of 200,000 gross ton Global Class ships for Dream Cruises in 2021, 67,000 gross ton Diamond-class ships for Crystal Cruises in 2022 and innovative Contemporary-class ships for Star Cruises in 2023.

Accommodating up to 9,000 passengers, Dream Cruises’ Global-class will be the largest cruise ships in the world by passenger capacity and brings affordable, high-end cruising to a wide range of passengers with 2,500 cabins consisting of a variety of categories including villas, penthouses, suites, themed suites, balcony cabins and inside cabins. The Global-class will also feature Dream Cruises’ signature 151-suite luxury “ship-within-a-ship’ concept, The Palace.

Global-class – The Palace sun deck

During the event, guests were treated to an exclusive sneak preview of the new Global-class ship with the unveiling of a specially constructed balcony show cabin, built in Germany and shipped over for the occasion.

Featuring 20 square metres of space, the luxurious Global-class cabins will be the industry’s most spacious staterooms, larger than any other cruise line, and are designed for two but can also accommodate up to four guests, suitable for families and group travellers. A unique two bathroom design will allow for several people to get ready at once and the cabin’s sofa bed also easily unfolds to sleep an additional two guests comfortably. A thoughtful touch is a privacy curtain that can be closed to divide the room into separate seating and sleeping areas.

State-of-the-art technology will include Bluetooth locks and a new smart system allowing passengers to control different functions such as the LED mood lighting and climate control with a smartphone app, voice recognition or through a touch-screen control panel. Smart sensors will also be able to detect occupants in the cabin to automatically adjust the lights and temperature for better energy efficiency and triple vent air-conditioning outlets ensure even air distribution for maximum comfort.

“Genting Cruise Lines is excited about the future of the cruise industry in China and especially in the Greater Bay Area. Our investment in new ship construction will ensure that we will have the most modern fleet in the world for our three cruise brands, offering the most variety of itineraries and destinations, providing best-in-class service and, most important of all, maintaining our commitment to growing the cruise market in this region,” added Tan Sri Lim.

Global class – The Canyon

Global-class – Horizon Lounge

Global-class – Zoo by Zouk

Singapore and Taiwan steadily growing as source markets in Asia

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 22 May 2019 22 May 2019

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, has released the 2018 Asia Cruise Industry Ocean Source Market Report. The report offers an in-depth look at the growth, demographics and trends of the top source markets in Asia.

While China continues to dominate the passenger share of Asia, cruise passengers from Taiwan and Singapore have been steadily growing in numbers. Multiple source markets, many of which registered double-digit growths in 2018, contributed to Asia’s record-breaking 4.24 million ocean-going cruise passengers. Asia is the third largest cruise region after North America and Europe.

“With nine in ten Asian cruise travellers choosing to cruise in Asia, it is clear that cruising will keep growing in popularity as more capacity will be deployed to Asia in the next few years,” said Mr Joel Katz, Managing Director for CLIA Australasia & Asia.

“Asian cruise passengers are found across the age spectrum, suggesting different consumer segments interested in a cruise holiday and providing numerous possibilities for industry partners to develop the cruise penetration rate in this region.”

Highlights from the 2018 Asia Cruise Industry Ocean Source Market Report Include:

– Asian cruise passengers are found across the age spectrum with an estimated average age of 45.4 years, lower than the global average of 47 years. Only three markets show real divergence: India, a young 37-year average; Indonesia a 39-year average and Japan an older 57 years.
– Asian cruise passengers predominantly sail in Asia with more than 50% (2,194K) cruising in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Almost 40% (1,694K) cruise in the rest of Asia.
– Outside of Asia, the Mediterranean, Caribbean/South America, Baltics/Northern Europe, and Alaska were popular choices, in that order.
– Shorter sailings remain the dominant choice of Asians, 89% of whom are sailing 4-6 nights with an average duration of 4.9 days.