Fosen Mek News

A new concept in luxury living and travel has been brought to realization with the completion of the much-vaunted ResidenSea ship, The World, which made its service debut at European ports during April. The unique vessel, home to a resort community continuously circumnavigating the globe, is the brainchild of Knut U. Kloster Jr., and is a testament to the Nordic maritime sector's propensity for innovation. Mr. Kloster was former chairman of Royal Viking Line and Norwegian Cruise Lines, and his father was a pioneer in the cruise industry, operating vessels out of Miami in the early 1960s. Several prominent cruise, shipping and hospitality industry investors have joined Kloster in funding the company ResidenSea, registered at Freeport, Bahamas.

Touted as the world's first luxury floating resort, the World of ResidenSea will feature MacGregor elevators and other equipment in packages worth approximately $2 million. The 40,000-gt vessel is currently under construction at Fosen Mek Verksteder yard for Silversea Cruises. MacGregor's passenger ship division will supply a turn-key elevator package to the vessel, while the group's Global Services Division office in Norway has been awarded the contract to supply equipment including: entrance doors, stores doors, shore connection doors, two hatch covers and two lifting platforms. The vessel's elevator specification comprises eight MacGregor elevators, four of which are designated for passengers - with the remainder to be used for service.

The world's first ocean-going luxury resort is scheduled to be afloat late in 2001 now that Bahamas-registered ResidenSea has secured financing and found a builder, company officials said. The vessel for the rich, dubbed The World of ResidenSea, was conceived four years ago by Norwegian cruise magnate Knut Kloster Jr. "After four years of an uphill struggle...we have finally made it," Henning Oeglaend, chairman of the board of ResidenSea, said at a ceremonial contract signing in Oslo with the ship's Norwegian-based builder, Fosen Mek. Verksteder AS. Flagging cruise line share prices, coupled with turmoil in the world financial market over the past few years prompted the firm to cut the size and cost of the ship to 40,000 tons at $350 million from an initial 86,000 tons at $545 million.

The spate of recent accidents at sea involving high profile cruise ships has spurred fears among owners and operators that once again the long arm of the law will be reaching out to demand new levels of safety products, systems and procedures onboard luxury cruise liners. The cruise shipping industry, which has enjoyed unprecedented growth for much of the decade, has been beset by some unsightly accidents and mishaps that have raised the watchful eyes of legislators around the globe. AAt a recent hearing on S. 1510, The United States Cruise Ship Tourism Development Act, Senator John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, said in his opening statement: "I believe that continued failure by the international cruise industry to abide by all U.S.

With the construction of new sister ships progressing as scheduled and the recently signed contract to manage the world's first ocean-going luxury residence, Silversea cruises is well poised for growth in the next millennium. The line was founded in 1992 with the concept of offering all-inclusive, ultra-luxury cruises to all parts of the world. The first ship, Silver Cloud, debuted in 1994, followed by Silver Wind in 1995. In five years, the line emerged as a leader in the ultra-luxury cruise market and is internationally recognized as the world's best small ship cruise line. The company's strong performance has made it possible to expand the fleet after only four years of operation. In May 1998, Silversea signed a contract for two new ships.

With the construction of new sister ships progressing as scheduled and the recently signed contract to manage the world's first ocean-going luxury residence, Silversea Cruises is well poised for growth in the next millennium. The line was founded in 1992 with the concept of offering all-inclusive, ultra-luxury cruises to all parts of the world. The first ship, Silver Cloud, debuted in 1994, followed by Silver Wind in 1995. In five years, the line emerged as a leader in the ultra-luxury cruise market and is internationally recognized as the world's best small ship cruise line. The company's strong performance has made it possible to expand the fleet after only four years of operation. In May 1998, Silversea signed a contract for two new ships.