Birka´s New Cruise Vessel will be Birka Paradise
The cruise vessel to be delivered in autumn 2004 for Birka Line had to day its keel laid at Aker Finnyards in Rauma. The vessel will be named Birka Paradise. The name reflects the vessel´s concept, the pattern of a Caribbean luxury cruiser. Next year a dip in the pool and lunch under palm trees in an exotic atmosphere is possible also in the Baltic! Over 50 of the 3500 suggestions received in the name contest arranged last summer proposed “Birka Paradise”. The new vessel is a full-blooded cruiser without car decks. It will be 177 m long and 28 m wide comprising eleven decks, five of which are dedicated to passenger accommodation: there are cabins and suites for in all 1,800 passengers.
CAE Wins Navy, Commercial Contracts
CAE's marine controls division has won contracts worth around C$5 million to supply its automation systems for installation on a number of commercial ships, two French naval ships and a U.K. Royal Navy research/support vessel. For the French navy, CAE Valmarine will build integrated safety management systems (ISMS) for French shipyard Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN), which will install the equipment on the two Mistral-class landing helicopter docks (LHD), being built to commercial standards. The first vessel (Mistral) is to be fitted in March 2005. Installation on the Tonnerre is to be completed in December 2005. CAE has already supplied the integrated automation system and emergency shutdown system for the two vessels.
The New Name of Finnish Shipbuilding
The announced merger of Kvaerner Masa-Yards and Aker Finyards — both members of the Aker Yards Groups — draws to a conclusion nearly a decade of change within the Finnish shipbuilding community, while providing the technically talented and market capable company with a clear vision for the future. Long an elite member of the world's select fraternity of "high value ship" builders, the Finnish maritime community has built and maintained a leadership in several technically demanding categories — cruise shipping, LNG carriers and ice ship technology, to name but a few — despite the country's relatively small size, environmental challenges and fierce competition from lower cost competitors in the Far East Aker Yards Group recently announced the merger of Kvaerner Masa-Yards Inc.
Aker Yards Signs Contract with Birka
Aker Yards Lifecycle Services and Birka Line have signed a contract for the refurbishment of the spa area on board the Birka Paradise. The contract is worth approximately $2.7m. The refurbishment is scheduled for completion in January 2008. The scope of work onboard the cruise ship Birka Paradise includes the extension and refurbishment of the spa area (treatment rooms, saunas, showers and other spa facilities). This is the fourth spa refurbishment contract won by Aker Yards in the last few years. The cruise ship will be drydocked at Turku Repair Yard. The Birka Paradise was delivered in 2004 from Aker Yards, Rauma.
Aker Yards signs Contract with Birka Line
Aker Yards Lifecycle Services and Birka Line have signed a contract for the refurbishment of the spa area on board the Birka Paradise. The contract is worth approximately EUR 2 million. The refurbishment is scheduled for completion in January 2008. The scope of work onboard the cruise ship Birka Paradise includes the extension and refurbishment of the spa area (treatment rooms, saunas, showers and other spa facilities). This is the fourth spa refurbishment contract won by Aker Yards in the last few years. The cruise ship will be drydocked at Turku Repair Yard. The Birka Paradise was delivered in 2004 from Aker Yards, Rauma. For more information, visit www.akeryards.com
Cruise, Ferry and Naval Projects to Get Evac Systems
Scandinavian passenger ship operators have specified Evac vacuum toilet and waste treatment for their latest newbuildings from Aker Kvaerner group yards in Finland. The 33,000gt/1,800-passenger vessel ordered by Birka Line from Aker Finnyards - dubbed the ‘Floating Caribbean’ - is designed to set new standards of year-round cruising in the Baltic after delivery in autumn 2004. An extensive range of accommodation and amenities spread over eight decks of the 11-deck ship will include a whole deck dedicated to passenger recreation and a large Spa area decorated with palms. Operating in the Baltic dictates a high priority on environmental friendliness in the design and equipment specification…
Aker Finnyards Sign Contract to Build New Cruise Vessel
Aker Finnyards and Birka Line have signed a contract for the building of a 1,800 passenger cruise vessel. The worth ca $ 155.2 million vessel to be delivered in 2004. The 581-ft. DNV`s Clean Design rule defining several environmental solutions as to the ship structures, and the Comfort Class rule securing a noiseless and vibration free environment for the passengers. In addition, the vessel of course complies with the same environmental quality standards as the already sailing Birka Princess, i.e. equipped with catalyzers and closed sewage treatment systems, with atoxic bottom painting etc. A novelty is also the energy saving automation in the cabins, which for the time being has been seen in some hotels.
Construction Begins for Birka Line’s New Cruise Vessel
14 Shipyards were competing last November for Birka Line’s newbuilding contract. Aker Finnyards won, and after the design period the production of the cruiser started today. The vessel, approximately $181M, is considered to be an environmentally friendly vessel- it fulfills two very new classification criteria; DNV’s Clean Design rule defining several environmental solutions as to the ship structures, and the Comfort Class rule securing a noiseless and vibration free environment. In addition, the vessel complies with the same environmental quality standards as the Birka Princess, which is equipped with an exhaust gas treatment system, closed sewage treatment systems, atoxic bottom painting etc.
