Industry news
NEWS
Swan Hellenic’s second expedition cruise ship floated out
14 February | vessels
Built at Helsinki Shipyard in Finland, Swan Hellenic’s second expedition cruise ship, named SH Vega, has entered the water.
At present, the shipyard is building a series of three ships for Swan Hellenic. In September 2020, Helsinki Shipyard laid the keel for the first expedition cruise ship. Called SH Minerva, the vessel was launched last year and is currently exploring Antarctica. In June 2021, the shipyard commenced block production for the third ship in the series.
These ships are being engineered to meet the latest emission standards in order to lower their environmental impact. The vessels’ chief engines will feature an exhaust gas cleaning system, along with cleaning and storage facilities for wastewater, waste, and waste oil needed for sailing in sensitive polar zones.
For quieter operations, the ships will have a dedicated space for batteries that will utilise electric propeller motors.
The ships will include an infotainment system, expedition laboratory, library for studying marine life, club room, swimming pool with pool bars; as well as gym, spa, and sauna facilities; and access to expansive views. Boat trips to surrounding areas will also be offered using inflatables.
SH Vega is equipped with a 4.6-megawatt diesel-electric hybrid-ready propulsion system with selective catalytic reduction. At 113m, the 10,500 gross register tonnage ship also includes a PC5 ice-strengthened hull, which has achieved Safe Return to Port certification.
With 76 cabins and suites, the ship will be able to house 152 guests.
Swan Hellenic will receive SH Vega in May. Thereafter, it will undertake its 11-day maiden cruise from Leith’s port of Edinburgh on 29 May.
1 february | vessels
Princess Cruises receives sixth cruise ship from Fincantieri
Carnival Group-owned cruise line Princess Cruises has taken delivery of its newest cruise ship, Discovery Princess.
The official handover ceremony was held at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. With this delivery, the Princess Cruises fleet has grown to 15 MedallionClass vessels.
With the capacity to accommodate 3,660 guests, Discovery Princess is the sixth and final Royal-Class newbuild. It has been developed to share the style of its sister ships, Enchanted Princess, Sky Princess, Majestic Princess, Regal Princess, and Royal Princess.
Discovery Princess features "world-class" dining options, as well as 270-degree views from the Sky Suites, which feature the largest balconies at sea.
The ship is also loaded with technologies to cut down fuel consumption and treat wastewater, backing the firm’s environmental compliance efforts.
24 december | vessels
Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam resumes cruising at San Diego
Zuiderdam, from Carnival Corporation division Holland America Line, has resumed cruising from the Port of San Diego in California, US.
With this development, the vessel has become the second from Holland America to restart service in San Diego since the industry-wide disruption owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In October this year, another ship, called Koningsdam, recommenced cruising in San Diego.
The initial cruise for Zuiderdam is a 10-day voyage around Mexico and the Sea of Cortez.
Thereafter, the ship will leave Panama Canal and go for a 35-day South Pacific sojourn and Pacific cruise.
Meanwhile, Koningsdam will go for several seven-day voyages to the California coast or Mexico, along with two longer Hawaii cruises that will continue till April next year.
While calling at San Diego, both Koningsdam and Zuiderdam will receive shore power, minimising the vessels’ carbon footprint.
20 december | PORTS
Carnival launches twin-terminal cruise port in Dubai
US-based Carnival Corporation, in partnership with Dubai-based Shamal Holding, has unveiled the Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal in the UAE.
In 2018, the entities formed a strategic alliance for the establishment of a new cruise port as the main site for promoting cruise tourism in Dubai. The official opening was marked by the arrival of two passenger cruise vessels, Italy-based Costa Cruises’ Costa Firenze and Germany-based AIDA Cruises’ AIDAbella.
This terminal has been developed as a twin-terminal cruise port, with the capacity to handle two large cruise ships at the same time. The 120,000m2 facility has two purpose-built terminal buildings for offering embarkation and disembarkation experience to passengers and crew members.
It also includes four Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridges for facilitating the complete turnaround of the largest class of cruise vessels in the industry. Other amenities at the terminal are currency exchange outlets, ATMs, cafes, retail centres, duty-free, dedicated parking, taxi stands, and more.
In total, six brands from Carnival Corporation – AIDA Cruises, Cunard, P&O Cruises (UK), Costa Cruises, Princess Cruises and Seabourn – will visit this new twin-terminal cruise port by 2023.
These brands are anticipated to make 90 calls to the terminal by then.
In brief
Kongsberg to deliver equipment for Havila Kystruten’s vessel
Kongsberg Maritime (Kongsberg) has secured a contract from Norwegian cruise company Havila Kystruten to deliver an engine and thruster package for the latter’s cruise vessel, Havila Capella.
The vessel is presently operating on a new 12-day sailing route along the Norwegian coast, between Bergen and Kirkenes.
Designed by HAV Design, Havila Capella features integrated, energy-efficient Kongsberg technologies. Kongsberg will supply 16 Bergen gas engines to Havila Kystruten.
Zinus to provide new shore power tech for cruises
Shore power products supplier Zinus has secured a contract from Norwegian firm Havnekraft to develop and supply a new, flexible shore power technology for cruise ships calling at Haugesund Cruise Port.
Havnekraft is owned by energy firm Haugaland Kraft and Karmsund Port Authorities.
For many years, Zinus has been providing a developed, mobile, and flexible system, named Shore Power Cruiser, for supplying high-voltage shore power to cruise vessels and other ships.
Wartsila, Fincantieri complete Windstar vessels renovation project
Finnish tech company Wartsila, in partnership with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, has completed an overhaul project of three Windstar Cruises ships.
The project, which was led by the Fincantieri yard, commenced in 2019. The revamp of the first of the three Windstar cruise vessels, Star Breeze, was finished in 2020.
Implemented under Windstar’s $250m Star Plus initiative, the project covered the length extension of the vessels from 135m to 160.6m.
Carnival Cruise Line to deliver third Excel-class ship in 2023
Carnival Cruise Line is expanding its Excel-class fleet with a new vessel named Carnival Jubilee, set to be delivered in 2023.
The vessel, which is the cruise company’s third in the Excel-class segment, will be based in Texas, US.
Additionally, the company stated that all of its 22 US-based vessels will recommence services by March next year.
Royal Caribbean unveils comprehensive decarbonisation strategy
Royal Caribbean Group has launched a comprehensive decarbonisation plan, named Destination Net Zero, with the intention of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
To attain this objective, which is said to be the first such pledge in the cruise sector, the company will establish science-based targets .
The firm will come up with goals authorised by the Science-Based Targets initiative over a time period of 18 to 24 months.
