As the only representative from the European Commission at the recent Breaking Waves 2018 think tank in Helsinki, Magda Kopczynska asked European maritime cluster leaders what she should do to help them solve the industry’s future concerns.

Finnish shipbuilding company Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) has signed its third letter of intent within a short period of time. The newest letter of intent concerns a car and passenger ferry set to operate between the Finnish city of Vaasa and the Swedish city of Umeå. The vessel order, with a value of approximately EUR 120 million, will have an impact on employment totalling around 800 person-years. The formal construction agreement is to be signed in early 2019, with the design and construction work set to start immediately thereafter, says Jyrki Heinimaa, CEO of RMC.

Among future challenges facing the European shipping industry, few are as daunting as the emergence of China as a commercial maritime power.
“China is basically targeting Europe and Europe’s global maritime leadership,” says Christophe Tytgat, Secretary General of SEA Europe, which represents the continent’s shipyards and maritime equipment manufacturers.

The technology group Wärtsilä strengthens its position as a global leader in the maritime markets by introducing the first Wärtsilä-branded high-speed engine. The International Workboat Show in New Orleans, USA, was the venue of the official unveiling of the Wärtsilä 14: a high-speed, compact engine designed to fit requirements for limited space and weight, lower capital expense, to meet current and future global emissions regulations, and to provide customers with improved efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability.

The largest ever high-speed catamaran, which will operate on LNG fuel, will feature a fully integrated scope of supply from the technology group Wärtsilä. The 125 metres long vessel is being built at the Armon Gijón shipyard in Spain for Spanish ferry operator Baleària.

The ship is to be built in Kaliningrad at the Yantar shipyard for RK named after V.I. Lenin (RK Lenina), the owner. The 121 metres long vessel will feature a unique bow design and it will have more than 5000 cubic metres of storage capacity.

The marine and cruise industry is moving more and more toward long-term partnerships. Wärtsilä and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. are leading the way by strengthening their long-term cooperation and extending their service agreement to the year 2028. The original agreement, signed in 2013, spanned 10 years. Under the agreement, Wärtsilä is optimising maintenance efficiency through improved Turbocharger maintenance, providing OEM spare parts, workshop services and preferred technical assistance for 46 Royal Caribbean Cruises’ ships.