News

ABB wins $180 million in orders from cruise ship builders in 2013

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 09 December 2013 09 December 2013

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, won orders worth $180 million in 2013 to deliver complete electrical power plants and propulsion systems for six new cruise liners that include its latest-generation Azipod XO units. The orders make 2013 the best-ever year for ABB in cruise liners with the Azipod system.

The six ships include two for Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), two for Royal Caribbean International and one each for Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Lines, all leading brands in the cruise market. The orders were booked over the course of the year, with about $30 million in the first quarter, about $90 million in the second, about $30 million in the third, and the remaining $30 million in the fourth.

Azipod is an electric propulsion unit, which is housed in a submerged pod outside the ship hull. The pod contains a variable-speed electric motor which drives a fixed-pitch propeller, and can be rotated around its vertical axis to provide propulsion thrust freely in any direction. The Azipod propulsion system eliminates the need for rudders, stern transversal thrusters or long shaft lines inside the ship’s hull. Since its introduction 20 years ago, the Azipod system has found favor among builders of cruise liners and ice-going ships.

“This is a remarkable run of orders for our cruise-ship power and propulsion systems, confirming ABB’s leading position in this high-end market,” said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB’s Process Automation division. “Since the launch of the Azipod XO, nearly all of the ships ordered will be equipped with this new generation unit.”

The two ships for NCL are Breakaway Plus class vessels and include complete electrical systems, each with two Azipod XO propulsion units and three bow thrusters. Each has163,000 gross tonnage (gt) with capacity for 4,200 passengers and are due for delivery from German shipyard Meyer Werft GmbH in October 2015 and spring 2017 respectively. ABB will supply Azipod XO units with combined propulsion power of almost 40 MW, plus generators, transformers, frequency converters and related power system equipment. The installation includes ABB’s new “Intelligent Maneuvering Interface” (IMI), which is equipped with the ‘red dot’ design award-winning ABB Azimuth lever and the Azipod Dynamic Optimizing system which can enable fuel savings of up to two percent.

The ships for the Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Lines are under construction at Fincantieri yards in Italy. For the former, ABB will supply the complete electrical power plant and propulsion system, with 28 MW of power, for a 99,500 gt, 2,660-passenger capacity liner, due for delivery at the start of 2016. The latter liner, 133,500 gt, 4,000-passenger capacity, named Carnival Vista, will feature ABB power plant and propulsion systems, augmented by generators, main switchboards, a remote control system and distribution transformers.

One of the liners for Royal Caribbean International is the Oasis 3, due for delivery from STX France in the second quarter of 2016, equipped with three 20 MW Azipod XO units from ABB. The 225,282 gt, 5,400 passenger-capacity ship will also be equipped with ABB propulsion transformers, propulsion drives and remote control systems. The other, being built by Meyer Werft GmbH, will feature two 20,5 MW Azpod XO propulsion systems as well as generators, main switchboard, a remote control system, bow thruster motors and set of transformers. The ship will be delivered in April 2016.

Carnival Corporation names Vice Admiral William Burke as its first-ever Chief Maritime Officer

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 04 December 2013 04 December 2013

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise company, announced today that Vice Admiral William Burke has been appointed to the newly created position of Chief Maritime Officer, effective December 9, 2013.

Burke will report directly to Chief Operations Officer Alan Buckelew and will have oversight of the company’s maritime operations around the world. He will be responsible for maritime quality assurance and policy, shipbuilding, ship refits, and research and development.

“Bill had a distinguished career with the U.S. Navy, and we are excited about him joining our leadership team, especially in a key position new to Carnival,” said Buckelew. “In addition, Bill has deep experience in overseeing large maritime operations, both at sea and in shipyards, and his knowledge and expertise will be a major asset. But just as importantly, he is highly respected as a dynamic leader with a strong record of building high-performing teams.”

Burke had a career in the Navy spanning 35 years with extensive experience in safety, engineering, strategic planning and operational readiness. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978 with a degree in systems engineering, he served various active duty positions around the world for the Navy.

Carnival Corporation & plc CEO Arnold Donald added, “We are excited that Vice Admiral Burke is joining the Carnival family. His leadership and deep experience will serve us well in managing our fleet of over 100 ships carrying more than 10 million guests a year."

In recent positions, Burke served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Systems directing the team that planned, programmed, budgeted and executed a large annual budget for Navy personnel, training, readiness, maintenance, platforms, and ordinance for all ships, submarines, aircraft and aircraft carriers, and as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics for Navy readiness and maintenance of all ships, submarines, aircraft and aircraft carriers, along with shore readiness and maintenance, logistics, and environmental and energy programs.

Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise company in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK).

Together, these brands operate 101 ships totaling 208,000 lower berths with eight new ships scheduled to be delivered between spring 2014 and fall 2016. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices.

Thomson Cruises launches app to showcase ships as 18% of customers book with tablet or smart phone

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 04 December 2013 04 December 2013

Thomson Cruises, the TUI Travel plc unit that operates five cruise ships on the British market, says it has launched an app to allow customers to view footage of life on their ships as 18% of bookings come in via smart phones or tablets.

"With 18% of customers booking a holiday using a tablet or smart phone, and many more browsing using the devices, Thomson Cruises has found the perfect way to bring its ships alive by embedding some innovative technology amongst its traditional brochure pages in a bid to modernise the research experience for customers," the company said in a statement.

For customers using Android, iPads, iPhones and other smart phones, Thomson Cruises' ships will come alive and showcase life on board. "Thanks to augmented reality, some of the photographs seen on the pages of the latest Thomson Cruises' brochure will be brought to life with six films," Thomson said.

"These films showcase some of the first class entertainment and gourmet dining options on board. Also highlighted is the Platinum offering on board Thomson Dream and Thomson Celebration, and an introduction to the programme from Fraser Ellacott, Customer Operations Director for Thomson, with a rare insight into his personal favourites from the new itineraries."

To access the hidden footage, all customers need to do is download the free Aurasma App. It’s available from the App Store and Google Play. Then they just need to search for, select and follow Thomson Cruises. By holding the smart phone or tablet over selected images, recognisable by an icon in the brochure, the ships will come alive - giving customers a real feel for the holiday they are looking to book.

"The new technology that is being applied to our brochures this year really supports our strategy of modernising the holiday experience for our customers. Showcasing the true experience of life on a cruise ship will also go a long way in helping customers considering a cruise make their decision. The video footage will also give first time cruisers a real flavour of what to expect and I am confident they will like what they see," said Fraser Ellacott, Customer Operations Director for Thomson.

"For Winter 2014/15 short and mid haul programme launch, we have yet again listened to feedback from our customers and designed itineraries that will suit new to cruise customers, families, couples and groups alike. We are really excited about the itineraries, port calls and shore excursions on offer."