January

Crowley Maritime Corporation has just published an in-depth promotional piece telling the fascinating true story of the salvage of the Costa Concordia cruise ship in Italy. 
The report covers just about everything there is to know about the historic job, from detailing those involved and the 5 project phases of the salvage, to the impact on the Island of Giglio and the efforts to restore the environment back to its original state. 
See here....

Miami
The collapse in global oil prices has led to a myriad winners and losers within the U.S. and global equity markets.OOver the past 12 months, shares of the three leading cruise liners have risen far less than the 4 leadingU.S. airlines, and there has been far less talk of the industry's benefit from lower oil prices than we believe isdue. And in this write-up, we wish to highlight one cruise liner in particular that we believe will benefit from themeaningful decline in fuel prices that has occurred in the 2nd half of 2014:
Carnival (NYSE:CCL).Carnival, the world's largest cruise liner in what is in effect an oligopolistic market, is set to see meaningfulbenefits from lower fuel prices in 2015, more...

The European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) have released the results of a late 2014 survey to assess how shipping companies were planning to address the new sulphur emissions regime that began on 1 January. Of 39 shipping companies that responded to the first survey, which was concluded last November, 97% said they would be switching to low-sulphur fuel as a quick fix to the introduction of the 0.1% sulphur requirement. The majority of responses to the survey (61.5%) came from Swedish, Dutch and French companies.

Nearly 44% of respondents, whose replies were treated confidentially, said they would increase freight rates, mainly because of the higher cost of fuel. The corresponding increase in rates proposed varied between 1-15%.

In the longer term, an equal number (15%) said they would be installing scrubber technology or switching to LNG fuel. In both cases, companies ranked financial and technical problems as the most serious issues they faced.

"However, we'll have to wait for subsequent editions of this quarterly survey to assess the impact on volume loss, customer behaviour and modal shift," ECSA secretary-general Patrick Verhoeven told IHS Maritime. This company survey, conducted on behalf of the European Sustainable Shipping Forum, will be repeated in the next few months.

Helsinki
For Jan Hanses 2015 is all about getting used to operating within an emissions control area, The ceo of ferry firm, VIKING LINE, has six of his seven vessels sailing in the new Baltic ECA which came into being on January 1. These ships are now running on marine gas oil, the cost of which will hit the line for an additional EUR10-15m this year alone, according to Hanses. Viking Line’s 2013-built Viking Grace is the exception to the rest of the fleet. It is the first vessel on the Baltic Sea – and the first large passenger vessel in the world – to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Hanses reckons green solutions for shipping are still few and far between.
“Scrubbers require considerable investments,” he says, adding that they are still not a relevant solution in their current form.

Høvik,
Minister of Trade and Industry Monica Mæland and State Secretary for Climate and Environment Lars Andreas Lunde signed a declaration of cooperation with key players in the Norwegian coastal shipping industry today. This declaration aims to ensure that Norway has the world's most environmentally friendly fleet of coastal vessels.  
In the future, LNG and battery power are projected to comprise a considerable share of the fuel used by the global fleet. Norway already has a leading position in this field and has a good environmental and business starting point to more broadly implement these new technologies. DNV GL has now taken the initiative to launch a Green Coastal Shipping programme, a joint effort by industry and authorities to ensure that in the future Norway will have one of the world's most environmentally friendly and efficient coastal shipping industries.

"We can achieve this if we want to. There are many examples of incentives driving forward a green shift. The technology is there, but we have to scale up its use considerably in order to maintain our international position", says DNV GL's Deputy Group CEO Remi Eriksen.

Both the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Climate and Environment are supporting these efforts.

Shipping industry well equipped
"The shipping industry is very well equipped to lead the way in the green shift. This can contribute to exports of good, future-oriented and environmentally friendly solutions. I'm sure DNV GL's expertise and experience in shipping will help to maintain Norway's position as a world leader in the maritime industry," says Monica Mæland, the Minister of Trade and Industry.

"This year, the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris is to negotiate a new climate agreement that will entail new obligations and the implementation of new climate measures. For this reason, more ships must use environmentally friendly fuels, such as gas and battery power, and we must see more ships with new energy-efficient designs. The green shift in the maritime industry will both resolve environmental challenges and create value," says Tine Sundtoft, the Minister of Climate and Environment. The declaration was signed on her behalf by State Secretary Lars Andreas Lunde.

"We envisage a fleet of offshore vessels, tankers, cargo, container, bulk and passenger ships, ferries, fishing and aquaculture vessels, tugs and other coastal vessels, run entirely or partly using batteries, LNG or other green fuels," says DNV GL's Narve Mjøs, who is the programme director for the Green Coastal Shipping programme.

Joint effort
The Green Coastal Shipping programme has been developed to help implement the government's new maritime strategy and will be a joint effort by several industries, ministries and state departments. The programme will provide an important contribution to the achievement of both national and global climate goals and will also help to reduce air pollution. At the same time, it will be a driver for innovation and green workplaces. In time, it is also expected to provide major export opportunities for the maritime, energy and supplier industries.

"We want to make Norway a world leader in, and a showcase for, green coastal shipping and to attract international attention," says Narve Mjøs.

In cooperation with the parties, a programme plan will be established, describing the programme's activities in detail. The declaration has been signed by a total of 18 companies and organisations, together with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Seafood policy and Ministry of Climate and Environment. Narve Mjøs underlines that more parties are highly welcome.

About DNV GL
Driven by our purpose of safeguarding life, property and the environment, DNV GL enables organizations to advance the safety and sustainability of their business. Operating in more than 100 countries, our 16,000 professionals are dedicated to helping our customers in the maritime, oil & gas, energy and other industries to make the world safer, smarter and greener.

Increasing environmental awareness amongst customers is a growing challenge faced by cruise lines whose ship efficiency and sustainability strategies are directly in the spotlight. But leading lines in the sector continue to pioneer a range of new initiatives.
The most obvious driver in ship operators’ pursuit of greater efficiency is the cost of fuel and, indirectly, the nature of the charter contract and therefore who pays the bunker bill. But other factors are at work too.

Generally, it appears that those who manage more expensive maritime assets – container ships, gas carriers, chemical tankers and vehicle carriers – are more receptive to change than others. This is another puzzle, however, as all have much to gain. more...

New York
With a one-of-a-kind, opulent 3,875-square-foot suite, extravagantly designed lounges and showplaces, and lavish gourmet restaurants, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is setting a new standard for luxury vacations with the launch of Seven Seas Explorer.
At 56,000 gross-registered tons and carrying just 750-guests, the all-suite, all-balcony ship will boast the highest space ratio in the cruise industry, and is designed to be the most luxurious ship ever built, with every inch of the vessel evoking elegance and grace.   With its debut in summer of 2016, Seven Seas Explorer will offer guests another exciting option to explore the world with Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ signature brand of all-inclusive luxury.

“We set a high benchmark for Seven Seas Explorer, not only to build a ship that far surpasses the current standard in luxury cruising, but to design a ship that will be recognized industry-wide as the most luxurious ship ever,” said Jason Montague, president and chief operating officer for Regent Seven Seas Cruises.  “This ship will offer our guests a new level of grandeur throughout, from its lavish suites to its elegant public spaces and gourmet restaurants.  We cannot wait to share this ship with the world when she joins our fleet in the summer of 2016.”

The maiden voyage for Seven Seas Explorer will be a 14-night sailing from Monte Carlo to Venice on July 20, 2016.  The ship will remain in Europe for its inaugural season, sailing 11 voyages that crisscross the Mediterranean and visit sought-after destinations such as Barcelona, Ibiza, St. Tropez, Venice, Istanbul, Alexandria (Egypt) and Jerusalem. more..

Venice, Italy 
The Italian Coast Guard ruling banning cruise ships over 96,000 tons from sailing through Venice’s signature channel has apparently been lifted, according to Italian media reports.
The degree banned big ships from sailing through the Guidecca channel.
The lifting of the ban may not affect traffic this year, as itineraries and deployment are already planned, but could play a factor starting in 2016.

Groupe Eurotunnel acquired the assets of the defunct company, SeaFrance, in June 2012 following anopen and public process.Groupe Eurotunnel subcontracted the operation of the ferries Rodin, Berlioz and Nord-Pas-de-Calais to anindependent company, the SCOP SeaFrance.Operations began on 20 August 2012 and in 2014, MyFerryLink, the maritime business owned by theGroup achieved its objectives with close to 400,000 trucks and 350,000 cars transported.The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) recognized the validity of the case put forward by the Group and,independently, by the SCOP but decided that these were not sufficient to overturn again the decisiontaken by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), published on 18 September. This decision isillogical. It reduces competition across the short straits and it is contrary to the interests of free trade. TheCAT is forcing Groupe Eurotunnel to withdraw from this activity.Groupe Eurotunnel is proud to have created a competitive and respected cross-Channel ferry brand in justtwo and a half years and with no support whatsoever. Groupe Eurotunnel congratulates the SCOP, itsmanagement and staff for their professionalism and the quality of their service.In view of the requirement to cease operations within six months, which has been confirmed, and torealise the value of the work achieved Groupe Eurotunnel will now seek a buyer for MyFerryLink.Jacques Gounon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe Eurotunnel stated: “MyFerryLinkis an operating and commercial success. We are proud to have succeeded where so many others havefailed. Given the position of the British authorities, the future of MyFerryLink will now be determinedoutside the Group”.

Guilford, CT
American Cruise Lines (ACL) announced today its plans for the construction of a new fleet of modern riverboats. The concept for the new riverboats will differ from that of the line’s existing paddlewheelers and coastal ships by offering a more contemporary approach to their design.
Modern exteriors and spacious, elegant interiors are planned. The new riverboats will feature open deck plans to allow for maximum exposure of natural light and unobstructed viewing for guests. Glass-enclosed lounges with panoramic views, spacious, well-appointed staterooms with large, furnished balconies, and a variety of outdoor public spaces are planned. 
The new-design riverboats are in addition to the Victorian-style riverboats American Cruise Lines is currently building, which include the American Eagle, a new paddlewheeler for the Mississippi River nearing completion at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD.

New York
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLHhttp://www.thestreet.com/quote/NCLH.html) shares are down 2.1% to $45.66 in trading on Friday after the company named a new CEO after the current chief executive "decided to leave the company."
The company appointed Frank Del Rio as its new CEO, who replaces Kevin Sheehan as the top executive for the Miami, FL-based cruise line. Del Rio was previously the chief executive at Prestige Cruises International, which Norwegian Cruise Line purchased in November, and is the co-founder of one of Prestige's subsidiaries., Oceania Cruises.  Apollo Global Management (AGM) owns nearly 50% of NCLH shares.