Multi-sector collaboration to advance maritime energy technology
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 18 March 2023 18 March 2023
A ground-breaking research project involving Freudenberg e-Power Systems, the MEYER WERFT shipyard and Royal Caribbean Group is underway to develop a completely new fuel cell system tailored to the maritime sector. This has been a multi-year project aiming to create a maritime fuel cell system of an unprecedented scale, which will power Royal Caribbean Group's Nova class ships and represent a significant step toward achieving a net zero newbuild. At completion of the project, the fuel cell installation is intended to cover the full hotel load of a ship and allow for zero local emissions in port.
What has posed a considerable challenge, however, is the process to reform liquefied natural gas (LNG) to usable hydrogen at scale for a shipboard environment, which has delayed the onboard implementation of the project. The partners expect the first maritime demonstrator system will be completed later this year as work continues toward the full-scale application.
The undertaking of this complex project represents an evolution of how energy is generated and distributed on board, paving the way for a more innovative and sustainable future. The project has achieved important successes to evolve the use of fuel cells, including the approval of the maritime safety concept.
"We are bringing the best minds together to develop fuel cells at scale for the cruise industry by piloting the application on a Nova class ship and expect to complete the necessary approvals in line with IMO regulations later this year," said Thomas Weigend, Managing Director of MEYER WERFT.
“The strategic cooperation between Royal Caribbean, MEYER WERFT and Freudenberg e-Power Systems is groundbreaking for emissions reduction in the cruise industry. The combination of fuel cells providing high efficiency and a long lifetime with Freudenberg’s very powerful battery systems is tailored to the high demands of the maritime sector,” said Dr. Max Kley, CEO of Freudenberg e-Power Systems.
“Innovation is in our DNA and as pioneers in this industry, we comprehend the challenges that come with future proofing any new technology. To ensure seamless functionality and operability, the integration of this complex system in our ships is critical. Collaborations such as advance our sustainability journey and, together with MEYER WERFT and Freudenberg, we remain committed to supporting the continued research and development of this cutting-edge technology,” said Harri Kulovaara, Executive Vice President, Maritime for Royal Caribbean Group.
Currently under construction in Papenburg, Germany, Silver Nova is set to become one of the most sustainable cruise ships when she enters service in summer 2023.
Big day for Hong Kong's return of cruising
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 11 March 2023 11 March 2023
The local cruise tourism is reviving progressively. In one month from early March to early April, Hong Kong is welcoming a total of five cruise liners on their maiden trip to Hong Kong from around the world. In addition, Resorts World One of Resorts World Cruises, the first cruise ship homeporting in Hong Kong since travel fully resumes, is setting off for its inaugural tour from Hong Kong this evening (10 March).
Dane Cheng, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), said, “With the efforts of the Government and the HKTB, cruises from various markets are visiting Hong Kong one by one. This not only marks Hong Kong’s return to the global cruise market, but also plays a significant role in consolidating Hong Kong’s status as a regional cruise hub and international travel destination. The HKTB will continue to drive the relaunch of international cruise itineraries and arrange for more ship calls to Hong Kong, as well as stepping up our promotions in visitor source markets.”
Hong Kong will see an international line-up of maiden cruise calls from various markets around the world, including Mein Schiff 5 of TUI Cruises from Germany, Borealis of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines from the UK, and MSC Poesia of MSC Cruises from Italy.
Among the ship calls, Resorts World One, with Southeast Asia as its major market, called at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Cruise Terminal on Wednesday (8 March) with Hong Kong as its homeport, bringing more than 1,000 visitors from Southeast Asia. The cruise liner will set off for its inaugural tour from Hong Kong, and is scheduled to make three departures per week in the coming year, to bring whole new cruise experiences to consumers.
Together with the above ship calls, the Government and the HKTB has successfully secured 16 cruise lines to Hong Kong with more than 150 ship calls. The HKTB will continue to support cruise companies in maintaining and increasing cruise calls to Hong Kong, as well as launching promotional campaigns and building partnerships in the Greater Bay Area.
Photo: Resorts World One and Mein Schiff 5 docked at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. Credit: HKTB
Nassau Cruise Port sets new one day record of over 28,000 passengers
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
- Published: 28 February 2023 28 February 2023
Nassau Cruise Port (NCP) welcomed 28,554 passengers on February 27 – a new record for the expanded cruise port, with six ships alongside simultaneously. The “new” Nassau Cruise Port, centering around a unique, Authentically Bahamian experience, will celebrate its grand opening at the end of May 2023 with a weekend of private events featuring local and international entertainment.
“We are extremely pleased to report another record-setting passenger day here at Nassau Cruise Port. The expanded berths are certainly delivering on the sizeable investment that we have made in them, creating the additional capacity required to achieve this extraordinary record today. Incredibly, this figure does not include the crew count, which adds an additional 10,302 people to our total visitor count. That’s thousands of visitors exploring downtown Nassau and learning about our island and culture through our restaurants, shore excursions, taxi rides, and tours, while making wonderful memories of their time in The Bahamas.”
The six ships in port today were Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of The Seas and Harmony of the Seas, Carnival's Mardi Gras, Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Beyond and MSC Meraviglia.
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