Ship Christened News

Norwegian Prima, the lead vessel of Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) new Prima Class cruise ship series, has been christened in Reykjavík, Iceland.Built by Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri, the newbuild is 965 feet (294 meters) long and more than 143,535 tons with capacity for 3,100 guests at double occupancy.The ship features a three-level go-kart racetrack, waterslides, expansive pool decks and infinity style pools, and a multimillion dollar outdoor sculpture gardenThe first of six in NCL's Prima Class…

Lindblad Expeditions announced the launch of its second new polar vessel, National Geographic Resolution, on her inaugural voyage to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands. Under Antarctica’s clear blue skies and parked on fast ice in the Weddell Sea’s Duse Bay, guests walked onto the ice to cheer on Captain Heidi Norling as she christened the 126-guest National Geographic Resolution.“I wish this ship calm winds, fair seas, and great adventures. May everyone who sails with her be blessed,” marked Captain Norling as she tossed the bottle.

Silver Moon, Silversea Cruises' newest ship in its "ultra-luxury" fleet, was christened Thursday in Athens, Greece. The naming ceremony was held in the port of Piraeus.At 40,700 gross tons and with a maximum capacity of 596 guests, Silver Moon is the cruise line’s second Muse-class ship.Constructed by Fincantieri at its Ancona shipyard, Silver Moon is an evolution of her sister ship Silver Muse, Silversea Cruises said."The ship benefits from re-imagined public spaces, butler service in all suite categories…

A new liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel was christened in the Port of Antwerp on March 23.The new vessel, named FlexFueler 002, was built by Dutch shipbuilder Kooiman Marine for owners gas infrastructure group Fluxys and LNG supplier Titan LNG, and it will ensure that ships can refuel with LNG anywhere in the port. It will operate from its permanent moorings at quay 526/528 and supply LNG throughout the port and the Western Scheldt.It is the third vessel to join Titan LNG’s expanding infrastructure in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region…

Quark Expeditions, Polar Region expeditions company,  is celebrating its milestone 30th year with the launch of its new Antarctic 2020.21 season.The company specializing in expeditions to the Antarctic and the Arctic said that with voyages ranging from eight to 23 days, its Antarctic 20.21 season will feature seven distinct expeditions and 29 total departures, allowing guests of every type to discover the polar experiences perfectly suited to their needs and desires.“No one understands the possibilities, or the demands, of the polar environments better than we do,” says Ed Bonner, VP Production of Quark Expeditions. “For thirty years—longer than anyone in the industry—we have been focused exclusively on delivering the magic of the Polar Regions to passengers from across the globe.

Toll Group’s new freighter, the Tasmanian Achiever II, has berthed in Burnie ahead of its official naming ceremony.Tasmanian Achiever II is the largest general cargo ship to fly the Australian flag and is set to enter service on 1 March, carrying goods between the Port of Melbourne and the Tasmanian Port of Burnie, said Toll Group, part of Japan Post Holdings, is a transportation and logistics company with operations in road, rail, sea, air and warehousing.The 210-metre vessel is the first of two new ships commissioned by Toll to carry freight between the Australian mainland and Tasmania, increasing Toll’s Bass Strait cargo capacity…

The longest and one of the most premium cruise ships ever to dock in New Orleans will sail into the Port’s Julia Street Cruise Terminal Sunday, Feb. 26, just in time for the finale of Mardi Gras festivities. The Celebrity Equinox, a 1,041-foot cruise ship christened in 2009, will make its first visit to the Port of New Orleans, remaining in Port through Feb. 28 – Mardi Gras Day. The ship’s length is equal to 3.47 football fields. “The Port is thrilled to welcome Celebrity Cruises back to New Orleans for an extended port call,” said Brandy Christian, Port President and CEO. Celebrity Equinox holds 2,850 passengers and is the longest cruise ship to berth in New Orleans to date.

Maritime innovation never stops, and 2015 was certainly no exception, as a number of “world firsts” hit the high seas. In its December 2015 edition Maritime Reporter & Engineering News (http://digitalmagazines.marinelink.com/nwm/MaritimeReporter/201512/) presented its “Great Ships of 2015;” MarineLink.com takes the process one step further, and here confer the “Top Five Ships” of 2015. With a gross tonnage of 168,666, somewhat smaller than the world's largest Oasis class vessels, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Shipping company TOTE and shipbuilder NASSCO on Saturday launched Perla del Caribe, the second of two Marlin Class ships – the first containerships in the world to be powered by natural gas. The christening and launch ceremony took place at General Dynamics NASSCO’s shipyard in San Diego. The 764-foot-long Perla del Caribe and sister ship, christened Isla Bella, are Jones Act vessels built for the Puerto Rican trade for TOTE Shipholdings and will be operated by TOTE subsidiary Sea Star Line out of Jacksonville, Fla.

It was a day no one who worked on the Washington Navy Yard will ever forget. Shortly after 8 a.m., on Sept. 16, 2013, Navy contractor Aaron Alexis entered the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) headquarters building and killed 12 people while wounding four more - including two police officers. A year later, though much of the NAVSEA workforce is still displaced and many struggle to make sense of the tragic events, Washington Navy Yard employees met to remember the lives of coworkers, friends and loved ones during a short, 8 a.m. ceremony on the base.

'Europa 2' has been christened in the Port of Hamburg during the German port's 824th anniversary celebrations. The new cruise ship sailed to the launch site near the riverside district of Blankenese, where Godmother Dana Schweiger officially gave the new ship her name: “I christen you the Europa 2 and wish you and your crew good voyages and safe returns, and may there always be enough water beneath your keel,” she said. Dr Wolfgang Flägel, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises…

VT Halter Marine’s Halter Moss Point facility was the scene of the christening of  T-AGS 66’, USNS Maury’. Construction began in September 2010, the keel laying ceremony was held in February 2011, and delivery is expected in January 2014. The vessel has an additional 24 feet in length to the previous T-AGS 60 design which will accommodate a moon pool for deployment and retrieval of autonomous underwater vehicles. Designed to perform acoustic, biological, physical and geophysical surveys, T-AGS 66 will provide the U.S. military with essential information on the ocean environment.

This launch is part of a $120 million fleet investment program by Vantage Deluxe World Travel. Vantage Deluxe World Travel christened the MS River Splendor in Antwerp, Belgium as the latest addition to its growing European river cruising fleet. 'Miss Belgium', Noemie Happart led the official naming ceremony as the ship's godmother. The new ship will make its inaugural passenger voyage on March 17th from Amsterdam. Measuring 442 feet/135 meters, the maximum length allowed by European Union regulations…

OOCL celebrates the christening of 8,888 TEU container ship 'OOCL Miami' at the Changxing Island shipyard in Shanghai. OOCL Miami is the third of the eight 8,888 TEU vessels that OOCL commissioned Hudong-Zhonghua to build and the technological improvements have enhanced the vessel’s ability to be more fuel efficient. When sailing at optimal performance, this ship can not only lower fuel consumption but also reduce emissions. The new vessel is 335 meters long, 42.8 meters wide with deadweight of approximately 101,566 mt..

Evergreen's Eighth New 8,452-TEU Ship Christened. Ever Leader, the eighth L-type containership of Evergreen Line, was christened by Bronson Hsieh, the Evergreen Group's Second Vice Group Chairman, at the Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard today. The ceremonial rope cutting for the new 8,452-TEU vessel was performed by Mrs. Sook-Je Lee in a ceremony attended by dignitaries from Taiwan and abroad. Ever Leader is owned by Evergreen Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd. and scheduled to be delivered on January 15, 2013. The L-class containership is 334 meters in length, 45.8 meters wide, with 942 reefer plugs and a draft of 14.2 meters. The vessel is fitted with alternative marine power…

The 'CMA CGM MARCO POLO' (16 000 TEU) christened at the Zeebrugge Container Terminal in Belgium during maiden European voyage. The ceremony was performed by 'Godmother', Mrs. Naila Saadé, President of the CMA CGM Corporate Foundation and wife of Mr. Jacques R. Saadé, CMA CGM Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The new 16 000 TEU vessel, owned by CMA CGM, sails under the UK flag. Built by DSME (Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering) in South Korea, the ship is 396 meters long, 54 meters wide, with a draft of 16 meters.

The seventh L-type containership for Evergreen Line, launched and named at Korea's Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard. The new ship  was christened by S.S. Lin, the Evergreen Group's First Vice Group Chairman, and the ceremonial rope cutting for the new 8,452-TEU vessel was performed by Mrs. Lai Chao-Yin, wife of Mr. Shiu Kuang-Si, the president of Mega International Commercial Bank, in a ceremony attended by dignitaries from Taiwan and abroad. Ever Lawful is owned by Evergreen Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

With the crack of a champagne bottle and the traditional words, "I christen you.," Military Sealift Command ship USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14) was christened May 5 during an evening ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego. The 689-foot Chavez, the newest of the Lewis and Clark-class of dry cargo/ammunition ships operated by Military Sealift Command, continues the Lewis and Clark-class tradition of honoring legendary pioneers and explorers. The ship honors Cesar Chavez…

USNS Medgar Evers, the newest ship in the U.S. Navy's Lewis and Clark-class of dry cargo/ammunition ships operated by Military Sealift Command, was christened Nov. 12 during a morning ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego. With the traditional words, "I christen you USNS Medgar Evers," Myrlie Evers-Williams, the widow of the ship's namesake, broke the traditional bottle of champagne against the bow of the ship. Evers was launched Oct. 29 and is scheduled for delivery to MSC in spring 2012.

Monte Aconcagua, the last of a series of ten of Hamburg Süd's 5,552 TEU "Monte" class, was christened May 29, 2009 in . The container ship's sponsor was Luise Klus, daughter of Dr Ingeborg von Schubert, Chairlwoman of the Advisory Board of the Gundlach Group, . Following the naming ceremony, the "Monte Aconcagua" was phased into Hamburg Süd's - South Africa/South America East Coast Service (New Good Hope Express). In addition, Hamburg Süd will be adding three additional "" class vessels to its fleet until the end of the year.

The Monte Tamaro, the first of a second series of ten vessels of Hamburg Süd's successful 5,552 TEU Monte- class vessels, was christened at the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. (DSME) yard in Okpo, Korea. Sponsor of the newbuilding is Giulia Oetker, wife of Philip Oetker (son of Dr. h. c. August Oetker). Following delivery on 30 November, the Monte Tamaro will be taken under charter by the French shipping company CMA CGM before being phased into Hamburg Süd's liner service between Asia/South Africa and South America East Coast as of mid 2008.

Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Sperry Marine business unit has supplied the navigation and communication electronics for a new highly specialized ship that has been designed specifically to convey giant components for Airbus’ next-generation A-380 aircraft. The new ship, christened Ville de Bordeaux, was built in China’s Jinling shipyard and is being delivered to French shipowner Louis-Dreyfus Armateurs this month. The vessel will fly the French flag and will shuttle among the various Airbus plants in Europe delivering aircraft parts. For safe navigation, the ship has been fitted with a complete Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine integrated bridge system…

Adm. ship New Orleans on Saturday at Northrop Grumman Corporation’s New Orleans shipyard. Mrs. Shelton, wife of U.S. Army Gen. presence of approximately 1,000 guests. Principal speaker, U.S. Navy Adm. the tactics of terror. and honors one of the world's largest ports. Navy Cmdr. officer. homeported in San Diego. Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco. Blanco read a congratulatory letter from U.S. Sen. magnificent product. Grumman for the Navy/U.S. Marine Corps team.. and Gulfport, Miss., and Tallulah, La. Groups. can carry up to 699 troops with a surge capability of up to 800.