Dry dock works for the first large Chinese cruise ship start in Shanghai

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 10 November 2020 10 November 2020

The beginning of hull erection works, as well as the coin ceremony of the first cruise ship that Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co. Ltd (SWS), subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), is building for CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited, joint venture between Carnival Corporation and CSSC, took place today at the Shanghai shipyard. The joint venture will also be in charge of operating the unit.

The ceremony took place at the presence, among others, of the Consul General of Italy in Shanghai Michele Cecchi and the Deputy Mayor of Shanghai Wu Qing. The event was also attended by Lei Fanpei Chairman of CSSC, Fabrizio Ferri CEO of Fincantieri China, and Tian Yulong and Gao Dongsheng, respectively Chief Engineer and General Manager of the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

The new unit, which will be delivered in 2023, will accommodate about 4,250 passengers, in addition to 1,400 crew members. She will be the first cruise ship built in China for the Chinese market.

The joint venture set up by Fincantieri and CSSC Cruise Technology Development Co. Ltd (CCTD) grants a technology license of the ship model platform and provides a series of technical services to SWS, including project management activities, supply chain management and sales of fundamental systems and components. The on board design will be tailored for the specific tastes of the Chinese clients.

During the China International Import Export (CIIE) 2020, the most important Chinese import exhibition ending today in Shanghai, Marine Interiors, subsidiary of Fincantieri and major international player in the design and construction of public and catering areas, as well as glass walls, also signed a contract with SWS for the supply of approx. 2,800 cabins to be installed on the first unit of the program. This demonstrates the validity of Fincantieri’s early vision to oversee and enhance its supply chain. Indeed, the involvement of Marine Interiors will have a positive impact on the Italian territory, where the company is established, through the supply of materials and components which, in compliance with the CIIE principles, will then be installed in China, under the supervision of Fincantieri China.

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, stated: “The production is moving forward as planned. This is an excellent sign for the cruise industry in China and it confirms the strong commitment of Fincantieri, CSSC and the Carnival group in this very difficult moment we are living in. The different teams have worked remotely for months with great ability and flexibility, and today's milestone not only confirms our Group's management leadership, but it also demonstrates the determination of the entire sector in tackling the crisis."

Viking completes installation of first PCR laboratory at sea

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 03 November 2020 03 November 2020

Viking announced today that it has completed installation of the first full-scale PCR laboratory at sea. This new onboard facility – an industry first – allows for unprecedented testing capacity in the cruise industry, enabling Viking to conduct PCR testing of all crew members and guests with a non-invasive saliva test. The laboratory has enough capacity for daily testing of every crew member and guest, which provides flexibility to respond to Covid-19 prevalence levels around the world.

This first laboratory has been installed on Viking Star, the company’s 930-guest ocean vessel; it will undergo a series of extensive tests to ensure the procedures and protocols that have been designed are fully effective.

“We have been working on this for a number of months, and today is important as it moves us one step closer to operating cruises again, without compromising the safety of our guests and crew. The recently announced CDC guidelines are clearly aligned with our public health research, and we welcome the agency’s push toward testing, as we believe this is the only way to safely operate. In our view, continuous PCR testing, along with our extensive onboard hygiene protocols, will lead to making Viking ships a safe place to get away to and explore the world,” said Matt Grimes, Vice President of Maritime Operations for Viking.

Viking will be demonstrating the PCR laboratory, as well as new design and operating procedures, when the Viking Star comes to Oslo, Norway in mid-November.