News

Viking Line in Finland signs letter of intent with Chinese yard for 63,000 gross ton cruise ferry

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 23 November 2016 23 November 2016

Viking Line plc, the Finnish cruise ferry operator, said it hass signed a letter of intent with Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry Co. Ltd in China concerning an order for a 63,000 gross ton cruise ferry to be delivered in the spring of 2020.

“The aim is to sign a final agreement during the spring of 2017. The total investment is about €190 million euros. The letter of intent also includes an option for an additional vessel. The vessel is intended to be a collaborative project, and the plan is to engage a number of Finnish and other European suppliers, including Deltamarin, Wärtsilä and ABB Marine as well as a number of others,” the company said in a statement.

The new vessel is planned to serve the 10 hour crossing between Turku (Finland)-Åland Islands (Finland)-Stockholm (Sweden) and it will be 218 metres in length and have a gross registered tonnage of 63,000. Passenger capacity will be 2,800 and the length of its cargo lanes will be 1,500 metres. Viking Line will hire Scandinavian architects for the interior design, the company said.

This is the first cruise ferry type vessel with emphasis on high quality passenger accommodation that will be built in China for a customer in the west.

MV Werften says more Endeavor Class yachts to follow after 2021, no mention of Exclusive class

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 15 November 2016 15 November 2016

MV Werften, the German shipbuilding unit in the Genting Hong Kong group, said that additional Endeavor Class expedition yachts would be built to Crystal Cruises, the Los Angeles based luxury market cruise operator also owned by Genting Hong Kong, after the three ships now on order would be delivered.

“Three Endeavor Class 20,000 gross tons exploration yachts for Crystal Yacht Cruises to be delivered in 2019, 2020 and 2021,” MV Werften said in a statement, adding: “ Production at MV Werften will be stepped up after 2021 to produce two Global Class and two Endeavor Class ships a year.”

The Global Class vessels are of 201,000 gross tons and they are to be operated by Star cruises, the Asia-Pacific focused contemporary market brand of Genting Hong Kong.

However, MV Werften does not mention anything about the up to three 117,000 gross ton Exclusive Class ships Crystal Cruises has said it would build at the yard, with the first ship intended for delivery in 2022.

Cruise Lines International Association appoints Arnold Donald as new Global Chair

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 14 November 2016 14 November 2016

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Board of Directors has appointed Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc, as Global Chair, effective January 1, 2017. Donald succeeds Adam M. Goldstein, President and COO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., who has served as CLIA Global Chairman since January 2015.

“The cruise industry continues to grow and evolve at a record pace, making CLIA’s role more important than ever to act as a singular voice and advocate on behalf of the entire global cruise community,” said Donald, who as CEO of Carnival Corporation oversees 10 global cruise brands. “I’m honored to take on this role, and look forward to building on the great work CLIA is doing.”

“We are proud to welcome Arnold as our new Chair. Under his leadership, we will continue to support the interests and vision for the cruise industry,” said Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO, CLIA. “It has been a privilege to work alongside Adam and we thank him for his work and dedication as CLIA Chair.”

During his time as Global Chair, Goldstein was instrumental in operationalizing CLIA’s mission as the unified voice and leading authority for the global cruise community. He actively worked to promote the industry’s interests with key stakeholders around the world and to increase economic benefits and mitigate risks, including advancing CLIA maritime leadership in both wastewater and emissions technologies and practices. Effective, January 1, 2017, Goldstein assumes the role of Chairman of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association.

“It was a privilege to serve as CLIA Global Chair. The cruise industry is fortunate to have many capable people leading the industry, and CLIA brings them together to advance all our interests, from cruise lines and Executive Partners to travel agents and agencies,” said Goldstein. “Under Arnold’s leadership, CLIA will continue to offer a unified voice to help all of our members seize every possible opportunity to succeed.”