Romania

Built at VARD’s Tulcea shipyard in Romania, with outfitting completed at the VARD shipyard in Søviknes, Norway, Le Commandant Charcot is the first hybrid electric polar exploration ship powered by Liquefied Natural Gas. Photo © PONANT Nicolas Dubreuil

Marlink Delivers Connectivity to PONANT Polar Expedition Ship

Marlink is supporting PONANT’s first polar exploration ship Le Commandant Charcot, with data and voice connectivity, aiming to create a seamless communication experience for guests.Le Commandant Charcot became the first vessel of her kind to reach the geographic North Pole on September 6, 2021, during sea trials in preparation for her maiden voyage later this year. Marlink provides a hybrid network solution, combining Sealink dual C- and Ku-band VSAT connectivity, GEO and LEO L-band connectivity and a high-data volume LEO store & forward capability.

(Image: VARD)

VARD to Build World's Largest Superyacht

Norwegian shipbuilding and design group VARD announced it has secured a contract to build the world's largest superyacht.At 33,500 GRT, with a length of 222 meters and a beam of 27 meters, the $600 million superyacht Somnio was unveiled Monday as the first ever residential "yacht liner", featuring 39 luxurious apartments for a select, secret group of ultra-wealthy travelers.Captain Erik Bredhe, co-founder of Somnio, is overseeing the project. He said, "Somnio, meaning 'to dream' in Latin…

“Vittoria Yachts represents a new and important milestone for our company,” said Paolo Duò, President of the Vittoria Shipyard. Photo: Vittoria Yachts

Vittoria Shipyard Launches Yacht Division

The first design project is the 50-m Explorer yacht, designed by Hydro TecThe Duò family, with their hundred years of experience in military, paramilitary and civil shipbuilding, has ventured into the luxury boat sector. The Vittoria Shipyard has launched Vittoria Yachts, the new division, dedicated to designing and building yachts, able to draw on the production capacity and know-how developed over almost a century of business experience, adding over 870 units to the new market segment of luxury yachting.Leading Vittoria Yachts on their journey are Paolo Duò…

AMELS Readies 78-Meter Custom Yacht

The hull of 78-meter AMELS Full Custom yacht arrived from Damen Shipyards Galati on the Danube river in Romania.When completed in 2021, the yacht will be the largest AMELS to date.Currently 13 yachts are at the busy Vlissingen hub of the Damen Shipyards Group’s yachting division, including both the Vlissingen City yard and the Vlissingen East yard.The AMELS Full Custom yacht joins four AMELS Limited Editions yachts, two DAMEN SeaXplorers and five refits.In total we currently have 26 yacht projects underway at both our new build and hull building facilities.

Photo: ALMACO

Alamco Wins 'SeaDream' Contract

ALMACO will deliver complete cabin and catering areas on SeaDream Yacht Club’s 155m ultra-luxury expedition vessel that will be built by Damen.SeaDream's new ultra-luxury mega yacht, SeaDream Innovation, is the first new ship added to the fleet since 2001 and introduces the concept of “Global Yachting”, operating around the world including remote destinations in polar areas with its ice class credentials, as well as in tropical ports. ALMACO has been supporting Damen Shipyards…

©PONANT-Philip Plisson

Vard Delivers Ponant Cruise Vessel

Vard delivered Le Bougainville, its third expedition cruise vessel for Ponant. The 131m long, 184-passenger vessel, is the third in the series designed and built by VARD, following on from the delivery of Le Laperouse in June 2018 and Le Champlain in October. Vard Søviknes is now working on a fourth sister ship, Le Dumont-d’Urville, scheduled for delivery to French-owned PONANT in June this year.Created to be intimate in nature, with just 92 state rooms and suites, all of which boast balconies or private terraces…

Photo: Bolidt

Bolidt Eyes Polar Cruise Sector

Bolidt Synthetic Products & Systems' position for decking and flooring in mainstream cruise ship and superyacht markets has been quickly converted into a series of business wins in the fast-emerging polar expedition cruise ship sector.The most recent contract for the Dutch manufacturer’s hardwearing, environmentally friendly and visually attractive products covers the Hurtigruten newbuildings, Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansens, two hybrid propulsion expedition cruise ships under construction at Kleven shipyard in Norway.

Gulf Craft Makes a Splash with New Luxurious Yachts

UAE-based yacht and boat builder, Gulf Craft has made three global launches of latest super yacht - the Majesty 122, the Nomad 65 and 75 from the new collection of yachts designed for the passionate seafarer. Three new luxury yachts worth a total of Dh53 million were unveiled by Gulf Craft on the first day of the Dubai International Boat Show on Tuesday. Measuring 37.5m in length, with a fuel capacity of 25,250 litres, Majesty 122 costs a staggering $11m (Dh40.40m). It can accommodate up to 10 guests and has five spacious ensuites with an extended balcony and fly-bridge.

Photo: Alewijnse

Alewijnse Establishes Operations in Qatar

Alewijnse Marine Systems, a systems integrator in the commercial, naval and superyacht sectors, announced the formation of Alewijnse Middle East LLC, the latest stage in its strategy to establish operations in high growth developing markets. Based in Qatar, Alewijnse Middle East (AME) is a partnership between Alewijnse Marine Galati, headquartered in Galati, Romania, and Sora Marine Services, a highly regarded Qatari company with extensive experience in providing maritime services.

Giuseppe Bono, Fincantieri CEO: “We won basically all the new prototype cruise ships projects in 2012. We have the determination to maintain this excellent result”

Fincantieri Italian Flair Continues to Dominate Cruise Sector

In the cruise ship sector, the Fincantieri name is no stranger, having since the early 1900s built some of the most appreciated liners, including the legendary transatlantic Rex, built in Genoa, winner of the Blue Riband in 1933. Nowadays, cruise remains its core and Fincantieri is famous for its gigantic cruise ships; in 2013 the company delivering three. But it has diversified in recent years to ensure its future. Recent studies calculate that the European shipbuilding industry can count approximately on the 7% of new global orders…

Places of Refuge

The concept of force majeure has been broadly accepted since mariners initially encountered the perils of the sea. Persons and governments ashore have been obligated, at least by natural law, to accept and succor those in distress at sea. Concomitant with force majeure is the notion of providing a ship in distress with a place or port of refuge. A place of refuge is where a ship could go to avoid or ameliorate the peril and then depart at the earliest opportunity. While the original need for force majeure and a place of refuge was to reduce the risk to the lives of those on board the ship…