Star Hotel News

China's first domestically-built large cruise ship, the Adora Magic City, has departed from Shanghai for sea trials.The 135,500 gross tonne vessel was built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding. It is being classified by Lloyd’s Register and China Classification Society.The vessel has 2,125 guest rooms and can accommodate up to 5,246 passengers. The public entertainment area is over 40,000 square meters (nearly six standard football fields) over 16 floors.

Trelleborg’s marine and infrastructure operation has relocated its headquarters and Dubai marine fender sales operation to Jafza One, a new, premium commercial complex in the heart of Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai in the UAE.The move to a larger office space follows the formation in quarter one 2019 of Trelleborg’s marine and infrastructure operation, formerly Trelleborg Marine Systems. In addition to its marine solutions, the operation has widened its remit to include Trelleborg’s infrastructure operation as well as its Qingdao-based sales office and manufacturing facility…

A retired U.S. Navy captain pleaded guilty to criminal conflict of interest charges and a former U.S. Navy master chief was sentenced to 17 months in prison today on corruption charges. The defendants are among the latest U.S. Navy officials to plead guilty and be sentenced in the expansive corruption and fraud investigation involving foreign defense contractor Leonard Glenn Francis and his Singapore-based ship husbanding company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia (GDMA).Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Adam L.

The Chairman of Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ACSC) Rauf Veliyev and Konstantin Anisimov, the General Director of Moscow River Shipping Company (MRSC) signed in Baku a memorandum of cooperation in cruise shipping in the Caspian region with the use of the new cruise passenger vessel "Peter the Great". The agreement was signed during the visit of the Russian delegation headed by Konstantin Anisimov to Baku. The agreement provides for joint activities on study and development of optimal routes for cruise passenger vessels, such as ports of the Black Sea - inland waterways of the Russian Federation - Astrakhan - ports of the Caspian Sea; Moscow-Baku; Astrakhan - Makhachkala - Baku; Baku-Anzali- Nowshahr -Turkmenbashi-Aktau-Astrakhan and others.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has become the Official Global Partner of the World Corporate Golf Challenge (WCGC), the largest and longest running corporate amateur golf event. The new venture is set to expand international participation, branding and media attention, making the event the "must-play" golf tournament of the year for business executives around the globe. An established event, held consecutively for 20 years, WCGC now plans to launch new tournaments in emerging and established markets across every continent to increase the number of business executives taking part worldwide. The ambition is to host events in over 60 countries and recruit more than 40,000 high level executives, representing approximately 25,000 companies year on year.

Dubai Maritime City (DMC), the world class maritime cluster in the heart of Dubai, today announced its partnership jointly with Sharaf Investments and Al Ali Property Investment (API) to develop “The Dolphin Residence” within the City, into a high-end iconic Freehold mixed use development complete with offices, private residences, a four star hotel, shopping mall, mosque, parking lot and leisure facilities. The partnership deal was signed by Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman, Dubai Maritime City and Mr. Sharafuddin Sharaf, Vice Chairman of Sharaf Investments & Mr. Mohammed Abdulrahim Al Ali, Chairman of the Board Al Ali Property Investment (API). The project will begin immediately and the building,  with an approximate allowable built up area of 1,384,496 sq.

Dubai Maritime City (DMC) announced its partnership jointly with Sharaf Investments and Al Ali Property Investment (API) to develop “The Dolphin Residence” within the City, into a high-end Freehold mixed use development complete with offices, private residences, a four star hotel, shopping mall, mosque, parking lot and leisure facilities. The partnership deal was signed by Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman, Dubai Maritime City; Sharafuddin Sharaf, Vice Chairman of Sharaf Investments and Mohammed Abdulrahim Al Ali, Chairman of the Board Al Ali Property Investment (API).

The 189-room five-star floating hotel Sunborn Gibraltar is due to welcome its first guests in February 2014, after Gibraltar shipyard Gibdock drew on its extensive cruise ship expertise to undertake hull blasting and coating work. Despite its role as a tourist and business travel destination Gibraltar does not have a five-star hotel. The 142m long, seven deck Sunborn Gibraltar resembles a sophisticated high-end cruise ship or mega yacht. However, while the vessel can move under its own power, it has been designed for sustained mooring alongside, and features its own heavy-duty mooring arms.

For harried executives, a marine cruise can offer an escape form a life of tight schedules and constant pressure. The need for a relaxing but luxurious environment was well known to the designers of M/V Royale Floatel. The Vijai Marine Shipyards, designed and carried out the conversion, from a dumb pontoon, of the Royale Floatel to a 14-room all-suite, high-end luxury floating hotel. Delivered to the owners in 2013, it is first in its segment in the country under IRS class. With a capacity for 60 passengers…

Imtech Marine developed an IPTV solution specifically suitable for merchant and special vessels. The IPTV system enhances the crew comfort on board and helps the ship owner retain its valuable crew. It is based on Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and offers interactive multimedia services such as television, video, audio, text and graphics delivered over IP-based networks. The system reduces costs by eliminating the cable TV infrastructure and works via a plug-and-play IP network. The Imtech Marine IPTV solution offers TV and a package of regularly refreshed high class content like blockbuster movies, top TV series, music, news and sports.

During the past two years Drydocks World (DDW) has suffered from the restraints of a financial problem following the purchase of one shipyard in Singapore and one on the Indonesian island of Batam (both former Pan United shipyards) and two more on Batam (both former Leroy shipyards). This debt has now been restructured and the management of those yards has been taken over by China’s Paxocean, thus leaving DDW is a much better state and looking forward to a better future. The main yard of DDW is Drydocks World – Dubai (DDW-D)…

Iconic cruise liner to be restored to the former splendor of her glory days after refurbishment into elegant five-star 500-room hotel. QE2 Dubai announced that MS Queen Elizabeth 2 - known popularly as QE2 - will be moved to Drydocks World Dubai for undertaking classification checks prior to her renovation as a luxury floating hotel. Before itsretirement to Dubai on November 11, 2008, the QE2 took regular cruises around the world as well as operating a scheduled liner service across the Atlantic Ocean between Southampton in the UK and New York.

Indonesia Port Corporation I, II, III and IV will bring the ASEAN Ports and Shipping Exhibition and Conference event to Jakarta by hosting the 10th annual event at the luxurious five-star Hotel Indonesia Kempinski, Jakarta on Wednesday and Thursday May 30 and 31, 2012. There will be a two days Conference featuring 35 world-class senior executive speakers who will analyze latest global transport and logistics challenges and opportunities, attended by a gathering of 500 senior executive delegates, comprising some of the world's leading shipping lines, shippers, cargo owners, importers, exporters, freight forwarders, logistics companies, ports, terminal operating companies, port equipment and services suppliers.

Dubai’s vision as a global maritime hub took another major step forward with the launch of the mixed-use Business District at Dubai Maritime City (DMC) under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai World. HE Mohammed Al Shaibani, the Director General of HH The Ruler’s Court, Government of Dubai, Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman Drydocks and Maritime World, senior company executives, government officials, representatives of developers participating in the project…

According to a report on www.chinadaily.com.cn, a new cruise ship will soon set sail to the Yangtze River's Three Gorges Dam. The "Yangtze River No. 2," a 139-m, six-storey cruise ship, will embark on its maiden voyage from the southwestern Chongqing Municipality to the Three Gorges Dam in Hubei's Yichang City on August 29, www.chinadaily.com.cn reported, citing an official of Changjiang (Yangtze) Cruise Overseas Travel Co., the operator of the ship. Yangtze River No. 2, the third luxury cruise ship to set sail this year, is dubbed the largest river cruise ship. It can accommodate up to 452 people and has a swimming pool, a theater as well as luxury suites equivalent to a five-star hotel.

Faster and far greener than any Megayacht in her class, a Carbon Neutral Emax Megayacht that maximizes ecology, energy, efficiency and  economy to achieve a 50 to 100% reduction in fuel consumption and GHG emissions. Employing the Daimler EPA “on road” turbo compound engines, the solar hybrid Ark Angel LSV delivers the cleanest marine propulsion system in the world. At 28knots fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are reduced by 50%. Richard Sauter head of design commented “I consider the Ark Angel the Champion of Green Power…

MarineNews spoke with industry experts to get an overview of the passenger vessel market as it stands today, including a legislative update and business leaders’ insights on pricing, ridership and vessel construction and renovation. Actions in Congress this year provided a mixed bag for passenger vessel operators. Because of the new tax law, private operators will be able to take advantage of an immediate 100% depreciation deduction for capital investments made in 2011. Also,…

As the casino riverboat industry celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, there's little resemblance between the first reproduction 1890s paddlewheelers that a decade ago plied the upper Mississippi River in Iowa and today's luxurious floating casino resort complexes with their plethora of amenities. Pinnacle Entertainment's $200 million Belterra Casino Resort in Belterra, Ind., which opened last Oct. 27, epitomizes this trend. The Belterra coincidentally and unintentionally also pays tribute to the industry's hallmark 10th anniversary - which is traditionally celebrated with a gift of aluminum or tin - through use of an innovative technique.

Austal has secured a contract for two 226 ft. ‘boutique’ cruise ships for operation in French Polynesia. Ordered by Bora Bora Cruises of Tahiti, the ‘boutique cruise ships will be monohull design. Tu Moana and Tia Moana, meaning strong on the ocean and sure and stable on the ocean, will accommodate 78 passengers each in 37 cabins and will provice luxury cruises between the islands of Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa and Bora Bora at a cruising speed of 14 knots. Due for delivery in early 2003, the cruise ships will feature a four star hotel standard in passenger areas and will be fitted to a high combination of double and twin share cabins, lounge and restaurant areas, a pool/spa and an array of water sports equipment.

International Yachtmaster Training and Deliveries is the world's largest nautical college dedicated to the training of Megayacht crew. The megayacht industry has been expanding at a phenomenal rate over the last 5 to 10 years. A megayacht, both sail or power, defined as any yacht over 100 ft., is the large toy of the financial elite and corporations worldwide. The demand for these vessels has so escalated that newbuilds are now booked as far in advance as four to five years for new project commencement. With the development of these newbuilds, so to has come a development of new standards for construction, safety, and manning. With the smallest of the world's top largest 200 yachts being 178 ft.…