Onboard Services News

ERMA First has received a letter of professional opinion from DNV categorizing ERMA FIRST BLUE CONNECT as an energy-saving device and verifying its positive impact on Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) performance. The system is an alternative maritime power solution that facilitates a vessel's connection to a port's electrical grid to power onboard services, systems and equipment.By plugging into an onshore power supply and shutting down its diesel auxiliary engines while berthed…

Swedish ferry company Stena Line said its two largest ferries, Stena Hollandica and Stena Britannica, have completed a €1 million refit that includes updated onboard facilities.The North Sea vessels, which sail twice daily between Harwich, in the U.K., and Hoek van Holland, in The Netherlands, were in dry-dock in the EDR Shipyard in the Port of Antwerp to undergo their regular annual maintenance. While there, they also received some new additions to their onboard services.Duty Free sales on routes to the U.K.

Royal Caribbean Group said on Thursday it was grappling with a drop in bookings and a rise in cancellations as COVID-19 cases surge in the United States, driven by the fast-spreading Omicron variant.U.S. cruise ships have been gradually returning to the seas since late June, but an increase in Omicron cases has sparked calls for a temporary ban on cruising, including from Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat.Since the Celebrity Cruises parent resumed operations from U.S.

The supplier of Machine Learning based vessel performance solutions GreenSteam  announced significant progress towards its stated objective of enabling its clients to achieve doubledigit fuel savings as substantial MARPOL driven fuel price rises, loom large, for the Shipping Industry.A press release from GreenSteam, which is majority owned by BP/Castrol, said that currently, working with over 30 shipping owners, operators and marine organisations across all shipping sectors, globally, GreenSteam’s services are allowing these clients and partners to implement measurable fuel and operational cost savings.These have been identified through…

Marlink has re-established its commitment to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises to provide its Sealink services on the fleet of four cruise vessels, plus two new cruise ships which are due to enter operational service in 2019. The contract renewal reflects Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' desire to meet the requirements of the growing market for adventure and expedition cruises, as the ships are now in remote areas that were previously considered inaccessible for cruise ships, such as Arctic and the Antarctic.Marlink’s global Sealink services provide stable…

The first of four new catamaran ferries being constructed by Gondan for owner Baleària has been launched by the shipyard's GRP Division. The four ferries, which are due to be delivered between the end of this year and the middle of 2018, are designed to operate on short distance trips in the Balearic Islands. According to the builder, the 28-meter-long GRP ecofast ferries have capacity for 350 passengers and are designed focusing on eco-efficiency, comfort and speed during navigation.

The UK Chamber of Shipping and the  Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) jointly hosted an Apprenticeship Seminar on the 11th October. The purpose of the event was to brief attendees from the industry about the Apprenticeship Levy and how apprenticeships can play a role in the shipping industry. The Levy which will come into effect in April 2016, has caused a great deal of concern across industry due to lack of clarity around how the levy may be implemented, how companies already training or looking to train apprentices might be affected and the potential differences in how the Levy will be implemented in England and the devolved regions. Recent guidelines from the Department for Education have begun to provide clarity on some of these issues.

Q88 LLC introduced a global support program that coordinates quick response and expert consultation for chemical spills/incidents and medical emergencies occurring onboard vessels at sea. Known as Q88 Response Center, the new program leverages the resources of Spill Center, a leading provider of emergency response communication and incident management services, including environmental, technical and legal expertise. At the Q88 Response Center, trained personnel monitor telephone calls, dedicated email and web site requests for assistance on a 24/7 basis to gather the details, determine the issues and dispatch the right resources. In cases of major spills…

Marine Atlantic Inc. (MAI) selected Imtech Marine Canada to replace its ship to shore wireless communication system. Given a short timeframe, installation took place in just three weeks. Owned by the Canadian government, Marine Atlantic Inc. operates four of the largest ferries in North America and sails between the Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia on a daily basis. In the government tender for the contract Marine Atlantic Inc. requested a ‘reliable, up-to-date and scalable ship to shore communications platform.

A review of the ferry industry’s latest challenges and opportunities attracted a record 340 delegates to Vancouver last week for the 39th annual Interferry conference. The global trade association event exposed a string of concerns – notably over punitive safety and environmental regulations – but also highlighted the financial potential of new routes, onboard shopping incentives and the use of LNG fuel. Alongside sessions on the future of the industry, Canada-based CEO Len Roueche outlined a vision for maintaining Interferry’s influential lobbying role among politicians and regulators.

The conference organizers inform that In a further response to the sinking of the South Korean ferry 'Sewol' in April, safety issues will be centre stage at Interferry’s 39th annual conference, which takes place in Vancouver from October 4-8, 2014. Prompted by the incident, the trade association is already in dialogue with the IMO about assisting in efforts to improve domestic ferry safety. Now these and other cooperative safety initiatives will feature in a wide-ranging conference agenda addressing the industry’s major regulatory, commercial and technical challenges. The IMO’s latest safety strategy will be examined by special guest speaker Jeff Lantz, US Coastguard regulations director and chairman of the IMO Council.

MTN Expands Ferry Business by Securing Contract with Largest South American Ferry Operator; Buquebus Chooses MTN for its Value, Innovation, and Commitment to Service Excellence. MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) announces a new contract with Buquebus, the largest ferry operator in South America. MTN will provide Buquebus with VSAT (very small aperture terminal) satellite communications services, as well as Internet and Wi-Fi connectivity, throughout its expanding fleet. The demand around the world is growing for passengers and crew to be able to stay connected and entertained while commuting. MTN has been the leading communications provider in the cruise, yacht, and government vessel markets.

In its latest initiative to advance the quality, speed, and affordability of broadband data connectivity at sea, KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq:KVHI) introduces a new onboard terminal for its mini-VSAT Broadband(SM) service, the TracPhone(R) V7-IP. Representing a new generation of enterprise-grade onboard satellite communications equipment, the TracPhone V7-IP features a robust, 3-axis, gyro-stabilized antenna and a completely integrated belowdecks unit that includes an ArcLight(R)…

Arendal, Norway - Maritime Communications Partner (MCP) has strengthened its foothold in the U.S. cruise market through a major telecommunications contract with Norwegian Cruise Line. The contract includes the entire fleet and two large new builds. MCP’s contract with Norwegian Cruise Line covers cellular telephony and pre-paid services to passengers and crew in the existing fleet and the two yet-to-be launched cruise ships. All the ships will be equipped with a state-of-the-art network, enabling future migration to 3G and LTE technologies. “The mobile communication needs of our guests are changing rapidly,” said Ross Henderson, Norwegian’s Vice President of Onboard Services.

Marcon International, Inc. of Coupeville, Washington reported the purchase by a private East Coast operator of the U.S. flag utility boat Sarina (ex-Tern) from Olympic Tug and Barge, Inc. of Seattle, Wash. The vessel was originally built as a U.S. Coast Guard WLI class inland buoy tender in 1969 at CG shipyard in Curtis Bay, Baltimore, Md. and rebuilt in 1994 and 1996 to her present configuration. She is currently fitted out as a small general utility and supply vessel and has performed oil spill cleanup duties upon the waters of the lower Columbia River and its tributaries.

The 600-passenger dinner cruise vessel; M/V Horizon was delivered to Pegasus Yacht Cruises of New York by Blount Industries on March 5. Measuring 161 ft. (49 m), Horizon boasts a welded steel, single chine hull with three enclosed dining decks, with all superstructure above the second deck is 100 percent aluminum construction. New Jersey-based Robinson Interiors designed Horizon with old world ambience in mind — its dining room features varnished cherry wood paneling and trim. The vessel is powered by two owner-supplied Detroit Diesel 16V-92 engines, soft mounted for silent operation with Lo-Rez vibration mounts and couplings. Electric engine controls by Mathers provide throttle and gear control, while a Murphy alarm panel monitors the propulsion engines.

Imperial Majesty Cruise Line purchased the S.S. OceanBreeze from Premier Cruise Lines, said President Arthur M. Pollack. The total value of the deal, including the purchase price and planned upgrades to the vessel, is in excess of $16 million. "The purchase of the OceanBreeze reaffirms our commitment to the short-term cruise concept and the South Florida market," said Pollack. The OceanBreeze began to sail under its new ownership on May 20. As soon as practical, Imperial Majesty plans to redesign the hotel, including all cabins and public areas, and will be upgrading all onboard services and activities to further enhance the guest experience. Upgrades will take place this fall, during the vessel's regularly scheduled annual maintenance.

Every year, MarineNews chooses a handful of vessels delivered in the past 12 months and bestows upon them the distinction of “Great Boats.” The boats are chosen for innovations in design, construction and utilization. Following are the 17 vessels or groups of vessels chosen as the Great Boats of 2000. Crowley Marine Services delivered Alert, Attentive, and Aware, a series of three 140-ft., 10,000-hp Prevention and Response Tugs (PRTs), to Alyeska Pipeline Service Company in Valdez, Alaska. Specifically designed and developed for Alyeska, the boats will be used by Crowley in the Trans Alaska Pipeline System trade. Alert was deployed in February; Attentive was delivered in June, and Aware was delivered in July.

Renaissance Cruises announced today that its board of directors has appointed Manfred Ursprunger as Chief Executive. Ursprunger joins Renaissance Cruises from Celebrity Cruises, where he was one of the two key senior executives. On April 20, 2001, Renaissance Cruises announced that Malvern Maritime, led by Norwegian shipowner Peter Gram, has become the majority shareholder of R Holdings, the parent company of Renaissance Cruises, through a major investment in the company. The Company also announced the decision of Richard L. Kirby, former president and Co-CEO, to resign in order to pursue personal interests. Under Ursprunger's leadership, Celebrity Cruises has earned top travel industry honors for lodging and service quality.

M/V Horizon, a 600-passenger dinner cruise vessel, was delivered to Pegasus Yacht Cruises of New York by Blount Industries. Measuring 161 ft., Horizon boasts a welded steel, single chine hull with three enclosed dining decks. All superstructure above the second deck is 100 percent aluminum construction. New Jersey-based Robinson Interiors designed Horizon with old world ambience in mind - its dining room features varnished cherry wood paneling and trim. The vessel is powered by two owner-supplied Detroit Diesel 16V-92 engines, soft mounted for silent operation with Lo-Rez vibration mounts and couplings. Electric engine controls by Mathers provide throttle and gear control, while a Murphy alarm panel monitors the propulsion engines.