Major Pacific Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Alerts

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in the region of the Samoa Islands at about 6:14 am local time today (9/29). The quake struck about 110 miles ENE of Hihifo, Tonga at a depth of about 21.7 miles.
Parts of the southern Pacific have been warned of the potential for a tsunami, including Hawaii which is under a tsunami watch.

Read more

By Planet Data Sphere: Related Content

U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards Hold Oil Spill Response Drill

U.S. Coast Guard is participating with the Canadian coast guard, oil response organizations and federal agencies from both countries in a training exercise Tuesday (9/29) to Thursday (10/1) in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.
According to this USCG statement, "[this is] an opportunity for Coast Guard personnel to interface with international partners and practice response procedures currently used throughout all of Southeast Alaska. One of the exercise objectives is to demonstrate the ability of agencies to mobilize using the Incident Command Structure from the National Incident Management System."

Read more

By Planet Data Sphere: Related Content

Colombia/U.S. Operation Nets Historic Amount of Smuggled Cash

We've had a few posts (here, here, here) about Colombian authorities recently seizing millions of dollars in U.S. currency smuggled in shipping containers from Mexico to the Colombian port of Buenaventura. Now the U.S. DHS is touting the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the investigation, as well as the total in confiscated U.S. dollars being "the largest container bulk cash smuggling seizure in ICE, U.S. and Colombian history." The total so far is $40.5 million and "counting".
While authorities in both countries have not publicly revealed whether or not they know exactly who is trying to smuggle the money from Mexico to Colombia, it is quite obvious that the cash is tied up with narcotics trafficking.

Read more

By Planet Data Sphere: Related Content

Turkish Port Expansion Pits Activists Against Local Businesses

Turkish daily newspaper Radikal reports that environmental activists in the popular resort town of Marmaris are opposed to a plan to enlarge the Marmaris Port so it can handle larger and more cruise ships. However, this is countered by local business owners who think the expansion will benefit the local economy.

Read more

By Planet Data Sphere: Related Content

Celebrity Eclipse to be delivered early

The debut of Celebrity Cruises’ 2,800 passenger capacity Celebrity Eclipse will be delivered early from her German builders next year, enabling an additional three-night ‘taster’ cruise to be added to her schedule.

 Celebrity Eclipse, the first Celebrity vessel to be homeported in the UK port of Southampton for a summer season, will arrive early from Germany’s Meyer Werft in the week commencing 19 April 2010 for her launch celebrations, enabling a new three-night ‘taster’ cruise to be added to her schedule.  The new cruise will depart Southampton on 26 April 2010 and will call at Le Havre, France.

Commenting on the early arrival of Celebrity Eclipse, Robin Shaw, vice president and managing director for the UK and Ireland, RCCL said: ‘launch celebrations in July this year for Celebrity Equinox were a conscious effort to showcase our new Solstice-class of ships to as many British and Irish travel professionals as possible in the build-up to the arrival in 2010 of sistership Celebrity Eclipse dedicated to the UK and Irish market.  We are reaping the rewards of this activity and Celebrity Eclipse is the best performing ship in the Celebrity fleet. We hope that this additional taster cruise will stimulate the market

further and introduce Celebrity Cruises to the new to cruise market.’

Celebrity Eclipses’ maiden four-night voyage to Cork, Ireland will depart Southampton  as planned on 29 April 2010. 

Sphere: Related Content

Seabourn takes the honours in Berlitz awards

Although Hapag Lloyd’s Europa has retained the title of ‘best cruise ship in the world’ in the latest Berlitz ‘Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships’, it’s the Yachts of Seabourn that must be the happiest operator with the results from the 25^th publication of what is known as the cruise industry’s bible – having its complete fleet of four vessels being awarded 5-star status.

New ship Seabourn Odyssey led the way with a total of 1,787 points out of a possible 2,000, voted the second best cruise ship in the world, with Seabourn Legend scoring 1,779, Seabourn Spirit 1,700 and Seabourn Pride 1,769.  Newbuilding Seabourn Sourjon, currently completing in Genoa should also joint this exclusive club in the next edition of the Guide.

It’s remarkable that Hapag Lloyd’s Europa still comes out as the world’s top ship, considering her age (built 1999) and the increasing competition from much newer ships.  However, the ship still looks almost new, thanks to the dedication of her crew and owners. There has been talk for a couple of years or so about a new Europa being ordered, but due to the currently global recession this is not likely in the short term.   

Sphere: Related Content

Some cruising deals too good to be true says 2010 Berlitz Cruise Guide

If some of the cruising deals promoted over the past year seemed too good to be true, they probably were, according to Doug Ward, the author of the soon to be published 2010 edition of the Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships.

This new edition, to be published on 28 September 2009, priced £16.99) marks an extraordinary 25 years of the ‘bible’ of cruising with it’s no nonsense advice. It remains the only source of independent star-rating of virtually all ocean-going cruise ships worldwide.

Within the 2010 Guide, the cruising guru suggests that although it is a buyer’s market – an affect of the credit crunch – it is crucial to study the small print. As cruise lines have taken their cue from outfits like low cost airline Ryanair, which charges supplements for almost everything, the range of add-ons in cruising can take the glow off an apparent give-away price. A highly discounted fare may apply only to certain dates and itineraries, while passengers’ preferred cabin grades and location may not be available or they may be limited to first seating at dinner.  Nevertheless, the Guide is packed with Ward’s hugely helpful tips on how to get the best deals – which we learn aren’t necessarily available on the Internet.

The fully revised and updated 25^th anniversary edition of the Guide will include not only in depth reviews of 271 cruise ships – among them Oasis of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship to date – but also highlights of the 12 new ships to debut in 2010.  Doug Ward examines cruising’s unstoppable growth over the past 25 years, what has gone in 25 years (streamers and balloons for sail-away for example), and what’s new but not necessarily an improvement.  There’s a fresh new look at Green Cruising, with plenty advice about those concerned about travelling responsibly.

Among the many features will be a focus upon the effects of the credit crunch, what’s new for 2010, what could be improved and a look ahead to next year’s trends. It’s a warts and all guide that gets down and dirty, telling readers what the brochures don’t always cover, even touching on piracy and its prevention.

This Guide also offers a comprehensive account of the industry today for the more experienced cruiser. At a glance charts compare the major cruise lines for cabin facilities, food and service – their strengths and weaknesses.  Check out the tables and charts for 10 Great Shipboard Spas, the Best Choice for Children, the Top 10 Expeditions, the 20 Largest Suites Afloat, or the 100 Most Popular Shore Excursions.

Trends Forecast & What’s New in Cruising

We learn that two-class cruising (in some cases three-class cruising) is back. While ships have grown larger, the facilities available to all have shrunk, as has the open deck space that has become a private sanctuary area.  Other trends according to Doug Ward include:

·         More multi-generational cruising aboard the large resort ships

·         An increase in single-parent cruising

·         More child-free ships for those who have matured beyond noise and games

·         Small ship cruising (for those avoiding large resort ships and crowds)

·         More themed dining venues

·         More sophisticated spas and well-being treatment options

·         More healthy eating and spa menu choices

·         An increasing variety of active adventures ashore

·         Greater demand for smoke-free ships

·         More demand for both longer cruises and short getaway cruises

·         More large resort ships charging for extras

The Winners & Losers

The hard-hitting reviews of 271 cruise ships independently exposes the best and worst scoring cruise ships, using an internationally accepted rating system devised by Doug Ward himself. Once again the top rated ship, winning the award for the world’s best cruise ship, is Hapag Lloyd’s Europa, the only vessel to receive the exclusive 5-star Plus rating, scoring the most points with 1,851 points out of a possible 2,000. Following closely behind are half a dozen 5-star Boutique-style ships: Seabourn Odyssey (1,787 points), SeaDream II and SeaDream I (with 1,788 and 1,786 points respectively), Seabourn Legend (1,779 points), Seabourn Spirit (1,770 points) and Seabourn Pride (1,769 points).

Scrapping the bottom of the barrel in the ratings are the 1-star Plus National Geographic vessels Sea Lion and Sea Bird, each with 743 points.   

Sphere: Related Content

RCI announces diverse retail line-up for Oasis of the Seas

RCI’s newest ship, the giant Oasis of the Seas, will feature 13 retail stores, including an open-air shopping space that covers more than 10,000 sq ft. With many products exclusive to the ship, stores range from children and teen-favoured shops to jewellery and duty-free shops for adults.

Not only will Oasis of the Seas provide the broadest selection of boutiques and shops ever seen at sea, but several international brands will be making their cruise industry debut, including luxury leather goods retailer Coach.  Located in the Central Park neighbourhood, the coach shop will showcase designer handbags, leather goods, sunglasses and scarves.

Among the recognisable jewellery and clothing designers establishing a presence at sea for the first time are Breitling watches, Italian jewellery designer Pianegonda, Lucky Brand, Eileen Fisher, DC Apparel and Forest & Fauna, makers of 100% organic t-shirts and garments. The world’s largest cruise ship will also carry a number of brands never before seen in the RCI fleet, including jewellery from Roberto Coin, Charrio and Yvel.

Sphere: Related Content

Culinary poetry aboard MSC Poesia

Europe’s leading cruise line, MSC Cruises is partnering with Italy’s renowned Buon Ricordo Association to offer passengers seven fabulous gastronomic specialities on a Mediterranean cruise aboard MSC Poesia, 17-24 October.  Each evening passengers will have the opportunity to enjoy a different meal, each coming from one of the seven Buon Ricordo’s restaurants situated in Paris, France, Kanagawa, Japan, as well as in various regions of Italy. Sphere: Related Content

Trinidad & Tobago orders fleet of fast ferries from Austal

Australian fast ferry builder Austal has secured a four vessel order from Trinidad & Tobago’s National Infrastructure Development Co Ltd (NIDCO).  All four 41m craft are each designed to carry 405 passengers at a service speed of 37 knots and will operate a new water taxi service between San Fernando and Port of Spain in southwest Trinidad, reducing travel time between north and south Trinidad by almost two thirds.

Delivery of the Caribbean quartet is set for late 2010.

The new water taxi service is part of the Government of Trinidad & Tobago’s ‘Vision 2020’ strategy which aims for an efficient, integrated, multi-modal public transport system. When fully operation the water taxi service is expected to carry between 8,000 and 12,000 passengers in a normal working day and will be integrated with other public transport systems.

All four ferries will be built by Austal’s shipyards in Tasmanian and Western Australia. Passenger seating will be slit over two levels, with the main passenger deck featuring four passenger entry points, a central kiosk and dedicated baggage compartment and bike racks. The vessels will be powered by four MTU 16V2000 M72 diesel engines driving KaMeWa waterjets and will be fitted with Austal Ride Control to ensure passenger comfort.

A well as performing an important water taxi service, the ferries will also provide emergency backup for the existing inter-island service between Trinidad and Tobago. To meet this secondary function, Austal has configured all four vessels with the capability to retrofit and forward-mounted T-foil ride control system at short notice, allowing the vessels to operate in open, unprotected seas.

Sphere: Related Content

Scandlines and TT join forces

Declines in cargo volume and passenger numbers have forced two German ferry operators, Rostock’s Scandlines and Lubeck’s TT-Line, to join forces a offer a joint service from the German port of Rostock to Trelleborg, Sweden, during the day.

Under the new agreement in the morning one TT-Line ferry will leave Rostock for Trelleborg, while the afternoon ferry to Trelleborg will be provided by Scandlines. However, the companies will continue to operate separate services over night.

Sphere: Related Content

Interferry conference to chart course through challenging times

Solutions to the ferry industry’s latest round of political, financial and technical demands will be explored by more than 200 high-ranking delegates at next month’s Interferry conference in Istanbul, Turkey, 14-17 October. The trade association’s 34^th annual event, the first in Turkey, aims to plot a pro-active course through challenges ranging from world recession to sweeping regulatory changes.

A key session on surviving financial meltdown will feature a ferry operator’s perspective from Interferry board member Pim de Lange, North Sea Area Director, Stena Line, whose next phase of expansion in an ultra-competitive market includes delivery of the world’s two biggest ro-pax vessels.

‘The ferry business in Northern Europe has been very tough for the past decade or more,’ said Mr. de Lange. ‘We fought and lost the battle against the abolition of duty-free sales and faced the major challenge of competing with the Channel Tunnel. Low cost airlines took a big bite out of our passenger traffic and the spike in fuel prices caused havoc to our balance sheets.

‘After surviving all of that we deserved a reprieve but instead we got a global financial crisis. Despite that we remain optimistic for the future. The operators that survive this crisis should be positioned for a strong recovery when it comes.’

More of the industry’s major concerns will be addressed in a session on new safety and environmental requirements.

Johan Roos, director of sustainability at Sweden’s Stena Rederi, warns that there is no room for complacency over air emissions regulations, despite dramatic improvements in energy efficiency driven by economies of scale in ship size. A regular member of Interferry’s IMO consultative status delegation, he points out: ‘CO₂ emissions from shipping are estimated at 3.3% of global emissions compared to 1.9% from international aviation and 21.3% from road transport.

‘The benefits to society are enormous as shipping carries more than 80% of world trade. Since shipping is doing such an efficient job, it should be off the radar of the environmental regulators. Wrong. The maritime industry in general – and ship operators in particular – are under intense scrutiny by both national and international regulators. Despite obvious improvements in efficiency, we have not kept pace with the improvements that many land-based industries have experienced the past decades.’

Oskar Levander, head of conceptual design at Finland’s Wärtsilä Ship Design, suggests that ferries and ro-ro vessels compare unfavourably with other modes of shipping according to the IMO Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI). He will argue that even a relatively easy 30% improvement in CO₂ emissions will not be enough, so the industry needs to develop wind, solar, waste and other renewable energy designs.

The session ends with a case study from Johan Snellman, vice president, STX Europe Cruise & Ferries, and P&O Ferries fleet director John Garner, who is overseeing the new building programme for two giant Dover-Calais ferries ordered from the Finnish shipbuilder.  They will discuss the application of revised MARPOL Annex VI requirements for NO_x, SO_x and CO₂ emissions as well as safety challenges such as SOLAS 2009, probabilistic stability calculations and Safe Return to Port regulations.

Critical new legal issues facing ferry operators will be outlined by maritime lawyer Oliver Weiss, a partner at international law firm Ince & Co, during a session on managing risk. His survey will cover UK  legislation on corporate manslaughter, obligations under the ISM Code, limitation of liability under the Athens Convention and implementation of EU Directive 2005/35 on pollution.

The session also features Fritz Stabinger, secretary general of the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI), with an examination of the ‘oftentimes stormy, challenging, difficult and everything but peaceful’ relationship between shipowners and underwriters, and Ben Harris, deputy claims manager at the Shipowners P&I Club, with a review of loss prevention initiatives instigated in co-operation with members operating more than 3,000 ferries worldwide.

Various other sessions will further underline the ferry industry’s ongoing attempts to survive and prosper in challenging times.

In a forum on practical IT applications for making money, seven leading providers will explain new and emerging technologies relating to booking, ticketing and sales systems; distribution strategies; automating port processes; pricing, inventory control, marketing and contactless payment.

Urban innovations will be illustrated by case studies of a water taxi service in Istanbul, the Thames Clippers river ferry service in London, and the introduction of high speed ferries in Hong Kong powered by Solar Sailor’s hybrid diesel and electric drive system.

In addition, a review of emerging markets in the Middle East and the Black Sea will include developments in Oman, where the National Ferries Co has recently unveiled the world’s fastest diesel-powered passenger ferries – Austal built vessels capable of more than 50 knots. The session will also cover the growth of religious, labour and tourism markets on services between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Sudan and Yemen; and the vast potential for trade on the Black Sea. 

Sphere: Related Content

Can $400m grant for new Quebec ferries

The Government of the Provence of Quebec, Canada, has given a grant of Can $400m to local ferry operator Societe des traversiers du Quebec (STQ) for the construction of three new vessels.

The new vessels will be used to modernise the operators existing fleet of 11 ferries serving various routes on the St. Lawrence river in eastern Canada.

STQ carries over 5m passengers and 2m vehicles annually.

Sphere: Related Content

Engines installed in next generation Austal trimaran

Australian fast ferry builder Austal’s next generation 102m high speed trimaran has had its unique three-engine layout successfully installed ahead of the vessel’s launch in October.

The passenger/vehicle ferry, which is being built at Austal’s Western Australian facility and is currently available for purchase, is scheduled for completion by February 2010,

Unique to the vessel is a patented three-engine layout that combines with the trimaran’s hydrodynamic hull form to deliver fuel efficiency across a range of operating conditions. Each of the three MTU 20V 8000 M71L diesel engines produces 9,100kW at less than 1,200 rev/min, and offers the world’s highest power-to-weight ratio in their power range.

Austal’s latest trimaran ferry builds on the company’s landmark trimaran Benchijiqua Express, delivered to Spanish operator Fred Olsen SA in 2005.

Sphere: Related Content

Delay in new Wightlink catamarans entering service

UK cross-Solent ferry operator Wightlink’s new passenger catamarans for its Portsmouth Harbour-Ryde service are now expected to enter service on 29 September following delays in carrying out a passenger evacuation exercise to gain them their passenger certification from the UK’s MCA, 

Wight Ryder I and Wight Ryder II were built in the Philippines to replace the two ageing FastCats on the run.  It is believed that FastCat Shanklin and FastCat Ryde have been sold to a new UK operator who is to start a high speed passenger service across the Bristol Channel.

Sphere: Related Content

Hellenic Seaways buys monohull fast ferry

Greece’s Hellenic Seaways has bought the 1998-built monohulls fast ferry Viking and will use the vessel on its Aegean services. Originally built for Sea Containers as the SuperSeaCat Two, the vessel has recently been operated by the UK’s Isle of Man Steam Packet Co on the Irish Sea service linking Douglas and Liverpool and is currently completing a charter in Portugal before joining her new Greek owners. Sphere: Related Content

Some 200 People Missing in Ferry Accident

A passenger ferry capsized and sank Tuesday night (9/8) in the Atlantic Ocean off the Sierra Leone coast in western Africa. 37 people have been rescued, but more than 30 are dead, and perhaps as many as 200 passengers are still missing.

Read more

By Planet Data

Sphere: Related Content

Coast Guard Training Exercise Near Pentagon Causes Scare

With today marking the 8th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and President Obama and Defense Secretary Gates attending a ceremony at the Pentagon, south of D.C. on the Virginia side of the Potomac river, it probably wasn't a good idea for the Coast Guard to schedule a training exercise nearby. But the Coast Guard did, and it caused a security scare this morning.

Read more

By Planet Data

Sphere: Related Content

U.S. Maritime Administration Warns Ship Operators of Piracy

With the Indian Ocean monsoon season coming to an end, another international warning about maritime piracy off the Horn of Africa has been issued. This one comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) and provides guidance for transiting the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean.

Read more

By Planet Data

Sphere: Related Content

Study Shows Aussie Ports At risk

A report by Australia's Office of Transport Security (OTS) shows that individuals who pose a terrorist or organized crime threat are working in Australia's ports. The OTS says this is due to a hole in the the background screening that does not detect " a range of offenses and behaviors that are known to have linkages with terrorist activity and the unlawful interferences with maritime transport and offshore facilities." The article from theage.com.au goes on to discuss other findings from the government report and suggested plans-of-action to tighten security at the ports. 

Read more

By Planet Data

Sphere: Related Content

Cargo Ship Sinks in Philippines

The Korean-owned, Panamanian-flagged cargo ship MV Hera sank Monday near Hilaban Island in Samar, Philippines. The Filipino Coast Guard rescued the 19 crewmembers.
This is the second major vessel to sink in the Philippines in the last 2 days. The passenger ferry, Superferry 9, sank Sunday with more than 900 people aboard. Nine people have been confirmed dead and at least 30 others remain missing.

Read more

By Planet Data

Sphere: Related Content

Is Celtic Link’s new Portsmouth-Cherbourg ferry service just Scotch Mist?

Low cost Irish ferry operator Celtic Link Ferries says that it is about to start a new cross-channel service linking the south coast UK port of Portsmouth with Cherbourg in northern France. Good news for travellers and both ports, but only if its actually happens! This is not the first time that the Irish operator has announced the start-up of this new service. Back in October 2006 it bought a former Baltic train ferry and carried out a quick ‘conversion’ in Greece to ready the 1987-built vessel former her new service. However, following the arrival of the ferry in Portsmouth and inspection by the UK’s MCA the vessel was not allowed to sail with passengers until ‘a large number of deficiencies’ had been put right. They weren’t and the new service failed to start. In fact one surveyor said that the vessel ‘was a death trap – one of the worst ships I’ve ever seen.’ It will be interesting to see what is the history of Celtic Link’s newly acquired vessel for the service – something that they quietly forgot to elaborate on in their announcement about the start-up of the new service!  Sphere: Related Content

Bremerhaven drydocking for Seven Seas Navigator

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has brought forward the scheduled drydocking of Seven Seas Navigator from mid-January 2010 to mid-November 2009, resulting in the cancellation of five cruises. The vessel will now drydock at Bremerhaven’s Lloydwerft instead of the Detyens Shipyard in Charleston, South Carolina. Two new cruises have been added to the ship’s schedule for February 2010. Sphere: Related Content

Orion Expedition Cruises releases 2010 brochure

Australian expedition cruise line Orion has just released its 2010 brochure. In addition to destination features including the Kimberly and Arnhem Land, Papua New Guinea, the Spice Islands, New Zealand and Antarctica, the 2010 brochure contains useful information for potential expedition travellers, demonstrating the differences between typical mainstream cruising and the stimulating physical and intellectual experiences to be had on an Orion expedition voyage. 

The brochure contains comprehensive information on Orion’s range of 5 star accommodation and facilities, and examples of onboard luxuries such as boutique, massage, spa, elevator and lounges – and Serge Dansereau’s award-winning cuisine. 
In 2010 Orion has Australia covered – for the first time the company’s luxury expedition vessel Orion will be visiting every Australian State, plus Macquaire Island and Antarctica. Two coastal highlights voyages that include Victoria and South Australia in November will round out visits to every State and the Northern Territory.

Expeditions also include Melanesia, remote islands of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, New Zealand fjord lands and sub-Antarctic islands.

2010 voyages feature:

• Six new rarely visited island destinations in Papua New Guinea

• Three new ports in the exotic Spice and Tanimbar Islands
• Orion’s inaugural visit to Irian Jaya, famous worldwide for its vibrant Asmat Art woodcarvings
• New Australian coastal voyages from Cairns to Hobart including World Heritage listed marine parks, nature reserves, national parks and wilderness areas
• Inaugural voyage to Melbourne, the Limestone Coast, Kangaroo Island, Eyre Peninsular and Fleurieu Peninsular
• Christmas in New Zealand’s spectacular fjord land

The Antarctic continent remains a strong Orion drawcard for adventurers lured by the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the historic Antarctic explorer bases of Mawson, Scott and Shackleton.

Those seeking warmer climes can cruise the Great Barrier Reef – perfect for shorter breaks in one of the most beautiful parts of the world – and easily accessible through major gateways. 

Club back to the Attic Bar. A total of 38 passenger and 25 crew cabins will be upgraded. Sphere: Related Content

Mivan in £2m refit contract for Pacific Jewel

Northern Ireland-based cruise ship outfitting specialist Mivan has recently been awarded a £2m contract by P&O Australia to carry out work onboard the 70,301grt, 1990-built Ocean Village Two, which is to become P&O Australia’s Pacific Jewel following a refit in Singapore. Following this refit, being overseen by London-based SMC Design, the ship will start operations from Australia in December. 

Mivan will be the main contractor working on the refit of Pacific Jewel’s main public areas. Two of the biggest areas in the refit are the new the Waterfront Restaurant and the new Oasis Bar. Other areas include the Sunweaver Café, Casbah, Connections and Casino Bars, Turtle Cove and Shark Shack Children’s Area, Teen Centre, La Luna Speciality Restaurant, East Wing Internet Room & Library and the conversion of the existing Kids Pre-fabricated manufacturing has been taking place at Mivan’s Antrim factory during August and September in preparation for shipping to South East Asia in early October. Work onboard the new Pacific Jewel starts onboard in Singapore on 14 November and is scheduled for completion on 9 December.  
   
According to Stephen Mills, Mivan’s Business Development Director, ‘this will be one of Mivan’s largest cruise ship refits in recent years, topping a fantastic 2009 for us. We will look to build on this during 2010 and continue to deliver a first class outfitting service for P&O and other clients.’ Sphere: Related Content

Transocean files for bankruptcy protection

German cruise line Transocean Tours has filed for bankruptcy protection, but says that it will still continue to operate its two cruise ships, Astor and Marco Polo, and its five river cruise vessels.

Transocean blames its problems on the cancellation of the world cruise of Astoria in November 2008, due to engine problems, along with further losses incurred on Marco Polo’s operation in the UK market, through its UK partner.

Transocean Tours is currently being restructured and Munich-based Premicon has indicated that it is interested in acquiring Marco Polo and the five river cruise vessels.  Sphere: Related Content

Celebrity introduces the industry’s pre-cruise flexible dining reservation system

Celebrity Cruises has introduced ‘Celebrity Select Dining’, what is claimed to be the industry’s first pre-cruise flexible dining reservation system that allows passengers to choose when they dine in the main dining room onboard, on a day-to-day basis.

Commenting on the new dining initiative, Jacques Van Staden, Vice President of Culinary Operations at Celebrity said: ‘Celebrity Select Dining gives our guests the flexibility to spend their days anyway they like. Whether they wish to enjoy more time in a specific port of call one day and dine later that evening, or whether they wish to keep a traditional set dining time, guests receive the same amazing service and enjoy the same menu. It’s all about choice.’

Passengers simply go on line at www.celebritycruises.com to choose their desired dining time – anytime between 18.00 and 21.30 – for each day of their cruise, up to four days prior to boarding. Reservations can also be made onboard.

The first passengers to experience Celebrity’s new dining experience will be those travelling onboard Celebrity Equinox’s 26 September sailing. Sphere: Related Content

Trimline in soft furnishing contract aboard P&O Cruises’ Azura

Southampton, UK-based marine outfitting specialist Trimline has secured the major contract to supply soft furnishings to P&O Cruises’ newest ship, Azura, currently fitting out at the Monfalcone yard of Italy’s Fincantieri.  Sphere: Related Content

Wightlink’s new passenger catamarans set to enter service

UK cross-Solent ferry operator Wightlink is expecting to place into service its two new 250 passenger capacity catamaran’s Wight Ryder I and Wight Ryder II during the week beginning 21 September.

Both 20 knots vessels were built in the Philippines and have been specially designed for the Portsmouth Harbour-Ryde Pier Head service, replacing the existing two FastCats currently on the run. Sphere: Related Content

TEAM in new ferry terminal expansion in Mexico and Morocco

The world’s leading designer and manufacturer of sophisticated passenger boarding bridges (PBBs) for cruise and ferry terminals, Barcelona-based TEAM, has secured new contracts for ferry terminals in Mexico and Morocco.

Under a contract from Mexico’s Port Authority of Quintana Roo SA de C.V. TEAM is to supply in early 2010 two of its Pegasus-range of PBBs to the modernised ferry terminal at San Miguel on the Mexican island of Cozumel. The contract also includes the option for another set of PBBs to be installed in late 2010.  

The ferry service linking the island of Cozumel with the Mexican mainland at Playa del Carmen, on the Yucatan Peninsular, a 45 min trip, carried 1.4m passengers in 2007, with the service growing. In 2008 the Port Authority of Quintana Roo started an upgrading process of the ferry terminal, which is located at the centre of downtown San Miguel de Cozumel, next to the Punta Langosta Cruise Ship Pier. When work is completed in early 2010, the Cozumel ferry terminal will be the first of its kind in Mexico and the Caribbean to be equipped with modern passenger access systems.

Tangier Med Port is Morocco’s new passenger and cargo port located on the Straits of Gibraltar, 40km east of Tangier and just 15km from Spain at the shortest distance between the continents of Africa and Europe. TEAM has been contracted by the Moroccan government agency Tangier Mediterranean Special Agency (TMSA) to design and manufacture four PBBs of the SEDNA design to facilitate safe and secure boarding and disembarkation for the 2m ferry passengers expected to transit the passenger terminal each year. The four PBBs will be delivered in the first quarter of 2010. Sphere: Related Content

Celtic Link to start new Portsmouth (UK)-Cherbourg (France) ferry service

Irish budget ferry operator Celtic Link Ferries (Ireland) Ltd has announced that it is to start a new daily, year-round passenger/freight service linking the south coast UK port of Portsmouth with Cherbourg in northern France from October this year.

The Irish operator says that it has acquired a new, as yet unnamed, vessel for the service, capable of carrying 1,000 passengers, 500 cars or 130 trucks. The new ferry will be British flagged and British crewed and will operate between Portsmouth and Cherbourg during the week and will replace Celtic Link’s current vessel Diplomat on the week-end sailing between Cherbourg and Rosslare, southern Ireland, sailing from France on Fridays and returning from Ireland on Saturdays. With a service speed of 24 knots, the crossing time between France and Ireland will be just 16 hours.

The passenger/freight ferry Diplomat will maintain the Tuesdays and Thursdays sailings from Rosslare to Cherbourg and the Wednesdays and Sundays sailings from Cherbourg to Rosslare. Diplomat will be used on the Portsmouth-Cherbourg during the week-end while the new ferry operates the France-Ireland service, giving passengers and freight customers the guarantee of a daily departure from either Cherbourg or Portsmouth.

Celtic Link tried to start a Portsmouth-Cherbourg service in October 2006 using the former DFDS train ferry Klaipeda, which was converted in Greece for the new service as the Celtic Mist. However, the vessel fell foul of the UK’s Maritime & Coastguard agency (MCA) when she arrived in Portsmouth and was not allowed to sail with passengers.

The new service is claimed to be the cheapest of all operators on the Western Channel and Irish continental routes and will see Celtic Link going head to head with Brittany Ferries and LD Lines. Brittany Ferries already has well established services from Portsmouth to Caen and St. Malo in France, as well as a seasonal fast ferry service to Cherbourg, while low cost operator LD Lines currently operates a two ship service between Portsmouth and Le Havre, and is about to switch its Le Havre-Rosslare service to Cherbourg. Sphere: Related Content

Austal wins technical management and maintenance contract for Egyptian fast ferries

Australian fast ferry builder Austal has been awarded the technical management and maintenance contract for the two Egyptian fast ferries Cairo and Riyadh it delivered last year. Both ferries were originally built for the Government of Saudi Arabia, but were later gifted to the Egyptian government to improve the standard of ferry services across the Red Sea.

Both ferries, capable of carrying 1,200 passengers, 120 cars and 15 trucks at a speed of 37 knots, operate between the Egyptian port of Safaga and Dibba in Saudi Arabia, a 100 nautical mile route. The service has already proved popular with pilgrims travelling to Mecca, Egyptian workers travelling to and from Saudi Arabia, as well as business and leisure travellers. So far more than 69,700 people have utilised the service, along with 3,514 cars and 730 trucks.

Integral to the successful launch of the new service, Austal’s comprehensive technical management and maintenance package is being undertaken over a three year period and includes options for an additional two years.

The package will see the Australian fast ferry builder perform planned and preventative maintenance support, unscheduled maintenance, management and performance of annual surveys and maintenance periods, as well as shore-based engineering support. As a result, Austal has established a dedicated, fully staffed service office in Safaga, where it will utilise the region’s existing drydocking facilities as and when required.  Sphere: Related Content

The oceans this summer are the warmest on record

The National Climatic Data Centre, the government agency that keeps weather records in the US, stated that the average global ocean temperature in July was 17-Celsius degrees, which is the hottest since record keeping began way back in 1880. The previous record was set in 1998.

Meteorologists blame a combination of a natural El Nino weather pattern on top of the worsening situation of man-made global warming. The warmer water could add to the melting of sea ice and possibly even strengthen some hurricanes.

The Gulf of Mexico, where warm water provides the natural fuel for hurricanes, has temperatures dancing around 90. Most of the water in the Northern Hemisphere has been considerably warmer than normal. The Mediterranean is about 3 degrees warmer than for example. Higher temperatures rule in the Pacific and Indian Oceans too.

The impact of the this new warmer ocean reality is most noticeable near the Arctic, where water temperatures are as much as a shocking 10 degrees above average. The shattering of heat records in water is more ominous as a sign of global warming than breaking temperature marks on land. This is due to the fact that water takes longer to heat up and does not cool down so easily. University of Victoria climate scientist Andrew Weaver said, "This is another yet really important indicator of the change that's occurring,”

By Hypo Global a Progress sister publication

Sphere: Related Content

Horizon Lines Participates in Trials of Anti-Piracy Technology

Horizon Lines, Inc., an American domestic ocean shipping and integrated logistics company, recently participated in test trials of two separate anti-piracy system.
The International Maritime Security Network, LLC (IMSN) conducted the first trial in Orange, Texas. This safety drill and anti-piracy testing took place aboard the Horizon Crusader and employed the Triton Shield Anti-Piracy System (APS).

The second trial took place aboard the Horizon Challenger in Bayonne, New Jersey where SAFE Solutions' Nemesis 5000 anti-piracy technology was tested. The Nemesis 5000 is described as a non-lethal, high pressure water system which integrates with a vessel's existing fire suppression system to prevent unauthorized boarding of the ship.

Read more

By Planet Data

Sphere: Related Content

Category 4 Hurricane Heads for Baja California

According to the National Hurricane Center, off the west coast of Mexico Hurricane Jimena became a category 4 storm this morning with maximum sustained winds of 135 mph. Jimena is moving northwest and is expected to turn north-northwest, and could hit the southern tip of Baja California sometime Tuesday morning.

The National Hurricane Center recommends "interests in western mainland Mexico and the southern Baja California peninsula should monitor the progress of Jimena."

Read more

By Planet Data

Sphere: Related Content

Seattle Ferry Slams into Dock

A car ferry on the Seattle-Bainbridge Island route apparently made a hard landing as it docked in Seattle on Sunday (8/30). One person suffered minor injuries, and the accident was bad enough that the vessel has been removed from servicefor an undetermined amount of time.
From KOMONews.com:

"Witnesses told KOMO News that the Seattle-bound ferry Wenatchee came out of the fog with its horn blasting as it approached the pier at a higher speed than normal and made a hard landing."

Read more

By Planet Data

Sphere: Related Content