SAM Electronics Tapped to Supply Cruise Ships

Hamburg-based SAM Electronics has been commissioned to supply seven new cruise ships building in Italian and German yards with proprietary NACOS 65-5 integrated navigation command systems featuring radar-controlled track pilots, Ecdis and other sensors. Among vessels to be equipped with a bridge system will be Cunard’s 89,500-gt Queen Victoria, presently under construction at Fincantieri’s Venice yard for delivery next year; accommodating 1968 passengers, the luxury vessel will be the second largest cruiseship to be built for Cunard. Other Fincantieri-yard newbuildings due to be fitted with Series 65-5 configurations are Costa Crociere’s 112,000-gt Costa Serena, Princess Cruises’ 116,000-gt Emerald Princess and P&O Cruises’ 116,000-gt Ventura. Meanwhile, in Germany, similar 65-5 systems are to be fitted to all three 68,500-gt liners ordered by Aida Cruises from Meyer Werft for delivery between 2007 and 2009. NACOS systems currently account for around 80% of world cruiseliner integrated navigation requirements. Major users also include Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Mediterranean Shipping Cruises, NCL, Holland America, Radisson Seven Seas, and Star Cruises. Total worldwide sales of systems, including also those for commercial shipping applications as well as luxury mega-yachts and research vessels, now exceed 1050 configurations.