Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines News

The maritime software, services and data analysis provider NAPA has announced the signing of a new contract with the northernmost year-round ferry, Wasaline, for its newbuilding Aurora Botnia.When it launches in 2021 the Aurora Botnia will be the world’s first LNG/LBG battery ship with pods under the vehicle deck, as well as the world’s most environmentally friendly RoPax vessel.Under the agreement, NAPA will provide Wasaline with its industry benchmark software applications, NAPA Emergency Computer, which delivers unmatched integrated emergency decision support, and NAPA Loading Computer, which optimizes vessel load while minimizing stress and safety risk.NAPA Loading Computer and NAPA Emergency Computer have been approved by all major classification societies.Peter Ståhlberg…

NAPA, a maritime software, services, and data analysis provider, has announced the appointment of Tor E. Svensen, Vice President, Marine Technology at Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to its board. Svensen has previously served as CEO of DNV GL Maritime, chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), and professor at the University of Strathclyde.As CEO of DNV GL Maritime, Svensen helped to outline a consistent vision of shipping's technology-enabled future, which achieved sustained, empirical improvements in safety, sustainability, and efficiency.

Originally developed for naval use, SeaGuard can enhance situational awareness in congested waters and improve search and rescue operationsSperry Marine unveiled SeaGuard, a high-resolution radar system designed to deliver a higher standard in navigational awareness for operators of very large cruise ships. Originally developed for navy use, the long-tenured marine electronics maker has already bagged a signature reference for the system. According to Pascal Göllnitz, Associate Product Manager…

Grand Bahama Shipyard and L&R Midland (UK) Ltd have signed an exclusive agency agreement covering the U.K. markets effective June 1, 2017. Caribbean shipyard Grand Bahama Shipyard (GBS) has engaged L&R Midland (UK) as its representative in the U.K. in what is expected to be an increasingly busy period due to approaching new International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations that will require ballast water treatment systems (BWTS) and exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) retrofits.

Maximizing the number of cruise guest numbers and ensuring they have a favorable cruise experience are among the key topics to be addressed at the American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) 2017 Cruise Seminar in San Diego, Feb. 14-15. Updates on the state of the cruise industry, environmental-related issues and port security, together with a 2.5-hour “Shorex Experience” to discover San Diego as a cruise guest does during a port-of-call, are also on tap for seminar participants. “For the many professionals who work in the cruise industry at ports, there’s nothing like getting together with their industry colleagues to learn new and innovative ideas…

Eniram Ltd, a provider of energy management and fuel-saving technology and analytic services to the shipping industry, announced the release of three new products aiming to help save fuel and optimize energy usage on vessels. The company has launched the upgraded speed optimization solution Eniram Speed 3.0, Eniram Performance 3.0 data analytic software, as well as Eniram Fleet Route KPIs designed to support improved routing. Improving on past version Eniram Speed 2.0, the new Eniram Speed 3.0 takes into account factors such as the prevailing sea state, in computing and recommending best speed profile to consume least energy and thus save fuel.

Portland Port celebrated the launch of its 2015 cruise program receiving more than 4,000 passengers over the early May Bank Holiday weekend. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ Serenade of the Seas made her inaugural call on the Saturday and Holland America Lines’ Eurodam returned to the port for a second consecutive year on the Bank Holiday Monday. The port expects some 26,500 passengers to call at Portland throughout 2015. Another three cruise ships are due to call throughout May with return visits from the Serenissima, Prinsendam and Costa’s neoRomantica.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) authorized formal exemptions by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines that allow for the enlargement of the cruise line’s research program to develop and install exhaust gas scrubber systems on its cruise ships. Under the exemption, as articulated in MARPOL, Royal Caribbean will expand the program from six to 19 ships. This emission control technology will be used in waters surrounding U.S. coasts, known as Emission Control Areas (ECAs). Because emissions from oceangoing vessels can harm air quality on land, the U.S.

Port industry veteran Don Allee will assume control of the Port’s Cruise and Tourism Division in January, following the retirement of current Director J. Robert Jumonville. Jumonville, who will retire in January after 25 years at the Port, oversaw the planning and construction of all three Julia St. Cruise Terminals, including the present consolidation of the two terminals into one modern terminal completed in 2011. Jumonville was also instrumental in the design and construction of the Erato Street Cruise Terminal and Parking Garage Complex…

Retired Active Duty Coast Guard Commanding Officer Brian Hall has joined Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc., the nation’s largest independently-owned oceangoing petroleum barge company, as Southern Port Captain / Vetting Manager. Hall brings with him more than 25 years of experience in marine safety, security and environmental protection. In his new position, Hall will report to Mike Brady, VP Health, Safety, Security and Environment and be based in Tampa, Fla. A graduate of Maine Maritime Academy with a degree in Marine Engineering…

Yara International will expand its emissions control business by acquiring a majority 63% stake in Green Tech Marine (GTM), a sulphur oxide (SOX) scrubber supplier to the marine industry. “New International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations are being implemented, and combining GTM with our existing Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) portfolio will help the maritime industry cleanse their emissions and be compliant,” said Yves Bonte, Senior Vice President and head of Yara’s Industrial Segment.

Acting Maritime Administrator, Paul “Chip” Jaenichen will open the “Winds of Change in Shipping” conference being hosted by NAMEPA (North American Marine Environment Protection Association) in Houston along with the WGMA (West Gulf Maritime Association) on February 19, 2014. The next day, February 20th, NAMEPA is partnering with NOIA (National Ocean Industries Association) to present the “Winds of Change in Offshore Oil and Gas”. Adding even more luster to this period is the inaugural Lloyd’s List North American Awards Dinner on February 19th, where winners of 17 categories will be presented.

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Board of Commissioners has approved plans by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to build a new cruise terminal building at the Port Authority-owned marine terminal facility in Bayonne – a major public investment that will spur continued growth in the New Jersey cruise business. As part of its expansion plans, Royal Caribbean also agreed to base its new Quantum of the Seas vessel – the largest cruise ship serving the New York-New Jersey region – at Bayonne beginning in 2014.

Total Cruise Industry Spending Topped $399 Million in Louisiana, Employment Up 37 Percent. A 32 percent increase in cruise passengers at the Port of New Orleans in 2012 resulted in huge gains in employment and cruise spending in Louisiana, according to a report released this week by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Port of New Orleans cruise terminals handled a record 977,703 passengers in 2012, up 32 percent compared to 2011’s former record of 736,908. CLIA’s report…

How did you come to your current position? Clifford    I currently serve as the president of BAE Systems Ship Repair and have been in this position since 2008. In this role, I lead our six full service shipyards and our 5,000 highly skilled employees. Prior to assuming my current role, I was the vice president and general manager of BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair. Before joining BAE Systems, I spent more than 20 years in the private sector serving in senior management positions at several shipyards.

North American World Maritime Day Observance and US Coast Guard Missions Conference to feature Piracy, Stewardship, Safety and Security. Two day event draws maritime industry, regulators and regional representatives. Piracy will be the focus of this year’s North American World Maritime Day Observance being held in Tampa, FL on October 27th followed by a US Coast Guard Missions conference on October 28th which will feature panel discussions on the stewardship, safety and security missions of the Coast Guard. Both events will be held at the Marriott Waterside in Tampa and are free and open to the public. North American regional representatives from industry, government and NGO’s will dialog on these critically important regional issues.

Piracy will be the focus of this year’s North American World Maritime Day Observance being held in Tampa, FL on October 27th followed by a US Coast Guard Missions conference on October 28th which will feature panel discussions on the stewardship, safety and security missions of the Coast Guard. Both events will be held at the Marriott Waterside in Tampa and are free and open to the public. North American regional representatives from industry, government and NGO’s will dialog on these critically important regional issues. The events directly follow the USCG Flag Officer’s conference and Innovation Expo. For the past several years, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has promoted awareness about the maritime community through World Maritime Day.

Headworks Bio Inc. announced the signing of a contract with STX Europe in Turku, Finland, for the completion and commissioning of a wastewater treatment system for the Allure of the Seas cruise ship. The Allure of the Seas will be delivered to its owner, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, at the end of this year. Using innovative moving bed bioreactor (MBBR) and Return Activated Sludge technologies, the system is another step forward in the trend towards advanced onboard wastewater treatment and water reuse. Allure of the Seas is the sister ship to the Oasis of the Seas, also built by STX Europe for Royal Caribbean International. It will have capacity for 5,400 guests onboard in 2,700 staterooms with a crew contingent of 2,160 members.

Alcatraz Cruises, the National Park Service concessioner of ferry service to Alcatraz Island, has been awarded the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award in the category of Best Low Carbon Transport and Technology. Award winners were announced November 11 at the World Travel Market conference in London. Alcatraz Cruises was a finalist alongside the British website Seat61.com and the Swiss Railway company Swiss Travel System. Only one other US company was honored – Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. For more information on the other winners visit the Responsible Tourism Awards website (www.responsibletoursimawards.com). “Alcatraz Cruises has worked diligently to align all our operations with the best sustainable business models.

After the cruise liner GTV Summit had been docked in 17 for about two weeks for the installation of a new diesel generator, on April 27. the Brilliance of the Seas will follow. Owned by the Norwegian-American company Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, a new genset will be installed in addition to other miscellaneous work to be carried out. The new diesel genset with a power of about 12 MW will be used in addition to the existing gas turbines. For the installation of the 210 tons unit, a new steel foundation will be installed and 70 metres of exhaust line will be laid. During the docking period, the bearings of both main propulsion units (pods) will be replaced and various other maintenance works, improvements and conversions will be completed. The underwater coating will be renewed as well.

Radiance of the Seas, the first of the Radiance-class of ships, was delivered to Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) on March 9. The 962 ft. (293.2 m), 90,090-ton vessel departed on March 11 from Amsterdam, en route to the Port of Miami, arrivng on March 21. The 2,100-guest Radiance of the Seas is designed to sail world itineraries to Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Pacific Northwest and the Caribbean. In addition to its slim, yacht like design with many glazed fronts, the ship is driven by an azipod propulsion system, and powered by smokeless, vibration-free GE gas turbine engines. Built according to DNV Classification standards, Radiance was designed in close cooperation with its owners and optimized via computer calculations and model tests.

On Tuesday, November 20, a major announcement shocked the cruise and financial industries when Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and Peter Ratcliffe, CEO of P&O Princess held a press conference in London to report that their two respective lines would join forces to form the world's largest cruise line, in a deal worth more than $6 billion. MR/EN had the opportunity to dial in to the conference, which occurred the morning of the merger at London's Lincoln Centre, to provide a first-hand account of this monumental transaction. In an era filled with terrorism, turmoil, economic frustration, massive layoffs and steep cutbacks…

The passenger vessel market is a classic mature marine market. Segments of it are doing well, while other parts have literally died. For example, the overnight segment of the market saw one substantial vessel delivered in 2003 with none on the horizon for 2004. The Empress of the North, a 360-ft. sternwheeler was put into service in September working the West Coast-Alaska route. Now that ice is a problem in Alaska, the vessel is working the Columbia River system in the Northwest U.S. The vessel was the largest vessel ever built by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, Freeland, Wash. and is owned by American West Steamboat Company, Portland, Ore. Developing overnight service is the most difficult part of the passenger vessel industry to get established.