It is a move into
uncharted waters when SUNSTONE SHIPS is ordering in China, even with ULSTEIN
as advisor. Knowing from my earlier research, that ULSTEIN was on the
way partnering with Chinese shipbuilders. Despite, I was shocked, thought
"how could they!" But a second thought told me, China is a partner as
every other commercial partner. And after Trump´s moves to protectionism, China
declared that free trade is essential for our globalised world. The EU
countries, and especially Germany, are depending on a free access to markets.
And despite others, competition is a challenge we are able to handle.
by Earl of Cruise
PROJECT UNLIMITED the new class of expedition vessels for SUNSTONE - courtsey SUNSTONE and ULSTEIN
The design will not be for everyones taste, as it is new, somehow strange and reminding of Off Shore Supply vessels. But this X Bow © of ULSTEIN has proven seaworthyness in the most servere Oceans (Northatlantic and North Sea)
The past 10 years have seen
a significant "aging" of the small oceangoing luxury expedition
vessels (capacity between 50-250 guests, excluding sailing ships, river ships,
coastal ships, and ice breakers). As of 2004, there were 42 vessels in this
market segment, of which 34 are still operating today. With an average age in
excess of 25 years, the fleet will undoubtedly continue to shrink dramatically
in the future, significantly reducing opportunities and leaving a market gap between
decommissioned or scrapped vessels and new builds in development.
Rendering of PROJECT UNLIMITED - courtsey SUNSTONE and ULLSTEIN
SUNSTONE SHIPS, INC. and CHINA MERCHANTS INDUSTRYHOLDINGS CO., LTD., Hongkong, (CMIH) have signed a Framework Agreement for the construction of four expedition
vessels with an option for additional six vessels.
SUNSTONE is the
largest tonnage provider of expedition vessels to the cruise and travel
industry, with an existing fleet of ten small cruise vessels on charter to
companies within the expedition market, and this new order positions the
Company as the leading tonnage provider in this segment of the cruise industry.
CMIH is part of the
China Merchants Group formed in 1872 and one of the largest groups of companies
in China, including the China Merchants Bank,
one of the 20 largest banks in the world. CMIH has entered into an agreement
with ULSTEIN Design & Solutions,
who will supply the vessel’s design and equipment package, as well as the
supervision for the building of the vessels.
Celebrating its 100th
Anniversary this year, ULSTEIN Group is a well known international designer, builder and provider of ship system
solutions. The family-owned international positioned group is headquartered in Ulsteinvik,
Norway, and encompasses over 600 employees in six countries.
MÄKINEN cabin for a major cruise company - courtsey MÄKINEN
CMIH has also entered
into an agreement with MÄKINEN, Finland, one of the leading contractors of cabin and interior public spaces for
cruise vessels. Mäkinen will establish a cabin assembly plant and interior
workshop at the shipyard’s facilities, and will be responsible for all interior
spaces on the new builds.
Rendering of PROJECT UNLIMITED - courtsey SUNSTONE and ULLSTEIN
The vessels’ main
specifications are as follows:
Passenger cabins
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80 to 95 cabins/suites
(for 160 to 190 pax)
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Length
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104m
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Width
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018.2m
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Draft
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005.1m
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Speed
|
15-knots
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Class
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Ice Classed 1A
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Polar Code
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PC 6
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Classification
Society
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Bureau Veritas
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Flag
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Bahamas
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The vessels will be
part of the SUNSTONE Fleet and chartered to new and existing clients.
"The combination
of five companies in this project, with each haveing vast experience within
their market, makes for the building of highly advanced and quality expedition
vessels. The hotel design of our new fleet, will be done by TOMAS TILLBERG DESIGN INTERNATIONAL,
one of the most recognized names in the passenger vessel design world. The firm
has been working with us in the development of our designs, not only for our
new fleet project, but also with ongoing projects for many years on our
existing fleet," said Niels Erik Lund.
The project was
brought together by TILLBERG & REYES GROUP Co. Ltd., who acted as broker.
Mr. Carlos Reyes and Mr. Andrew Zhang, developed the commercial and financial
models as well as the communications and relationship with everyone involved.
MÄKINEN is an internationally recognized turn- key contractor for the Marine
and Hotel industries. Their services include building new and refurbishing
existing cabins, wet units and public spaces.
Rendering of PROJECT UNLIMITED - courtsey SUNSTONE and ULLSTEIN
MÄKINEN was founded
in 1992 and it has completed over 5000 successful projects for the most
significant cruise lines and shipyards.
Long-time partner
Tomas Tillberg Design International will provide interior hotel design
services, while Finland-based turnkey contractor Mäkinen will be responsible
for building all cabins and public spaces. MÄKINEN will be responsible for all
of the interiors for SUNSTONE’s newbuilding project. In order for Mäkinen to
secure the high quality service and time frame, they will move a project team
to China and set up factory facilities at the shipyard.
Norway-based ULSTEIN
Design & Solutions will supply the vessel’s design and equipment package,
and supervise the building process.
Who is SUNSTONE SHIPS?
SUNSTONE SHIPS are managers
of passenger ships across the globe, and is specialised in commercial and
representative management of expedition cruise ships in remote locations.
Rendering of PROJECT UNLIMITED - courtsey SUNSTONE and ULLSTEIN
The company was formed after splitting from INTERNATIONAL SHIPPINGPARTNERS (ISP) in 2012. SUNSTONE
SHIPS took over the
commercial management of passenger ships; today, it is representative and
commercial manager for ten passenger ships.
Owners’ representation of ISP‐managed vessel in connection with buying, selling and chartering
|
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The newbuilding projects - PROJECT UNLIMITED
|
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Other newbuilding activities
|
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Communication with existing and future potential
investors in passenger vessels
|
|
Inspection of secondhand tonnage in connection with
potential acquisitions
Representation of investors in connection with
acquisition or sale of secondhand passenger-ship
tonnage commercially managed by SUNSTONE
|
Nine of these vessels are in the expedition cruise
market, these are passenger ships with capacities between 60 and 250
passengers, operating in remote areas of the world.
SUNSTONE represents the investors in these vessels,
and is responsible for all the buying, selling and chartering of the fleet. The
company handles the commercial management of any passenger vessel, but
specialises in the expedition cruise market, being a niche in which few
management companies operate. With a fleet of ten vessels in this market, SUNSTONE
is the largest tonnage provider to the travel industry within the expedition
market. The nine vessels sail in remote areas such as the Antarctic, Arctic
Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Spitzbergen and Franz Josef Land, and in warm-water
areas such as South America, South Pacific, Micronesia and Polynesia.
SUNSTONE is named after the original way‐finding
device of the Vikings - the sun stone.
The sun stone of the Vikings, back in their days somehow a matter of "magic" - Source: Wikipedia
SUNSTONE has a close working relationship with Cruise
Management International (CMI), one of the leading passenger-ship managers in
the world, which has the technical management of most of the SUNSTONE fleet.
The company also works with CMI Leisure (previously ISP Leisure), a hotel
management company in Miami, Florida, responsible for hotel operations on
several vessels in the SUNSTONE fleet. CMI and CMI Leisure each have more than
25 years' history and expertise in the passenger-ship management industry.
In addition to acquiring secondhand vessels on behalf
of investors, SUNSTONE has been developing a new-building programme for the
past several years. This is a 150 to 200 passenger expedition cruise vessel
with an ice class of 1A, meeting all the new SOLAS regulations - including safe
return to port - and incorporating a number of new features. Between 35 and 40
expedition vessels exist in this segment worldwide, and the average age is in
excess of 25 years, so new builds are seriously needed for this niche. As these
newbuilds are state of the art technology and fullfill not only the
enviromental requirements.
Several of the SUNSTONE vessels went through major
upgrades in 2016, including OCEAN DIAMOND, on which one of the cabin decks was
completely renovated, and SEA SPIRIT, on which the restaurant and main lounge
were upgraded. In 2017, all cabins on SEA SPIRIT will undergo complete
renovation, while SEA ADVENTURER will be re-engined with new main and auxiliary
engines, propellers, automation systems, and so on.
Recent commercial transactions for SUNSTONE have
included the extension of the charter of OCEAN ENDEAVOUR to QUARK EXPEDITION
and a new long-term contract for SEA ADVENTURER with the same company. SAINT LAURENT
has been renamed VICTORY I and is on a long-term charter to VICTORY CRUISE LINES.
OCEAN ATLANTIC is available for charter and it is the
intention that during early 2017, the vessel will be completely upgraded and
renovated into an expedition cruise vessel. SEA DISCOVERER, the sister ship to VICTORY
I, is also available for sale or charter.
The other vessels are: CELESTIAL NEFELI, OCEAN ATLANTIC, SEA ENDURANCE, SILVER DISCOVERER - a sister ship of SEA DISCOVERER, not to be mixed with SILVERSEA´s SILVER DISCOVERER!
PROJECT UNLIMITED
As the existing expedition cruise vessel fleet is
aging and in anticipation of that situation, the founders of SUNSTONE have
already begun to implement a solution - PROJECT UNLIMITED. This exciting new
building project features the development of a new luxury expedition cruise
fleet capable of carrying up to 240 guests. At the same time, PROJECT UNLIMITED
seeks to set a new standard in expedition vessels with all outside balcony
suites, an ice class of 1A, compliance with all new SOLAS and Polar Code
Requirements, Safe Return to Port and the ability to operate in both polar and
warm-weather climates. Plans have been finalized for a series of these vessels,
and the first two vessels are expected to be delivered in 2016.
Design study for the PROJECT UNLIMITED from an earlier age - courtsey SUNSTONE SHIPS
“The whole idea for PROJECT UNLIMITED started back in
2007,” explained Niels-Erik Lund, President & CEO. “At that time, we were
working with vessels that had been built around 1990 – which despite being 20
or more years was still considered ‘new’ compared to the rest of the worldwide
expedition fleet. It was our opinion that there would be a major problem
finding suitable ships in the future, as cruise industry and passenger demand
for these types of voyages was continuing to grow.”
A quick analysis showed that converting older vessels
would be ineffective as the available fleet was already at a lower standard
than expected by passengers. Many of the converted older vessels did not have
proper public areas; cabins were small and simple with no balconies, no tender
boats, etc.
The preferred solution was to lead the effort to build
a series of small cruise vessels for the expedition market. Such an undertaking
had not been taken on since the late 1980s, and the need for new vessels was
expected to quickly outpace existing inventory.
New basic layouts, general arrangements, and a short
list of specifications were drafted to test the feasibility of this ambitious
plan.
The initial proposal went out in 2008. Approximately
twenty-eight shipyards submitted requests, estimates, and ideas, etc. for
bidding on these vessels. From these shipyards the decision was made to select
seven to nine that were believed to be able to build these vessels. The
prerequisite was that shipyards must have prior knowledge and experience in
building passenger vessels; an understanding for the quality required; the
financial strength to conceivably remain in business for a long series of
vessel builds; and the ability to arrange 80% financing/guarantees. Several
shipyards in Europe and the Far East reviewed the proposal but, at the time,
all yards were full of orders building new, larger-class ships. During these
meetings, however, it was determined that the new vessels must be built at a
cost of no more than US$100 million.
“We arrived at the $100 million build budget after
extensive calculations involving the market, what charterers could pay, what
passengers would be willing to pay, and what would yield a positive business
proposition going forward to owners and investors,” said Niels-Erik Lund.
“There were many, many meetings with shipyards and design professionals to
investigate the project in more detail and come up with cost-saving ideas.”
However, due to the boom in the commercial shipping market, all shipyards had
full orderbooks, and the price levels quoted were at a $140-150 million level,
which resulted in the project being postponed.
Rendering of PROJECT UNLIMITED, stern view - courtsey SUNSTONE and ULSTEIN
For higher manouverability the propellers have each "an own" rudder with COSTA BULB (PDF)
COSTA BULB RUDDER - courtsey BECKER MARINE SYSTEMS
By end 2010, shipyards that had been full of orders
just a few years earlier were either delivering or cancelling projects – and
were looking for new work. A renewed interest in PROJECT UNLIMITED came about,
and during the SeaTrade Conference in March 2011, there were further meetings
with brokers and shipyards to finalize the design and the specifications. In
order to get a more accurate estimate for such a vessel a complete bid specification,
with drawings, technical specifications, etc. was prepared so that yards could
give firm quotes instead of only rough estimates. An agreement was finalized
with Delta Marine in Finland, one of the largest Naval Architecture companies
with extensive knowledge of building cruise ships as well as ferries and cargo
ships. Together with Delta Marine, a general arrangement was worked out that
would cover requirements in regards to the vessel size, capacity, suitability
for various markets, compliance with the latest rules and regulation, and a
minimum of 75% of the cabins having balconies and/or larger interior space.
Tillberg Design in Fort Lauderdale was also brought in to work out the interior
specification and ensure that shipyards had enough information to be able to
properly quote on these ships.
Rendering of PROJECT UNLIMITED - courtsey SUNSTONE and ULSTEIN
Today, the project is continuing to evolve, based on
information received from SUNSTONE charterers, Classification Societies,
Flagstates, and the like – all ensuring an end-product that complies with all
regulatory requirements. Meetings with suppliers regarding propellers, shafts,
engines, electronics, lifesaving equipment, and more are progressing.
“We’re looking forward to this ‘new horizon’ for the
industry,” says Niels-Erik Lund. “It has been a long time in the planning, but
the future is almost here.”
The highlight of PROJECT UNLIMITED is, of course, the
fleet of new Unlimited-Class vessels in development. These ships are very
special in the sense that they have been designed with a modern aesthetic,
spacious public areas, and large cabins which all have outside balconies. The
vessels also comply with the “Green Environmental Class” requirements, making
them as environmentally friendly and efficient as possible. This includes
responsible fuel usage figures such as 10.5 tons of fuel consumption over 24
hours at 12-knots with a hotel load of 800 kw. At the maximum speed of 16-knots
fuel consumption is 22.2 tons per 24 hours at 800 kw hotel load. The vessels
have also been built for extended operation and at 12.5-knots, have a range of
10,000 nautical miles or 33 days, and even at full speed, the range is 6,550
nautical miles or 17 days at sea.
Unlimited-Class vessels feature 1A ice-class ratings,
sonar, observation decks, a water sports marina and equipment storage, and
more. For passenger comfort the vessel has been equipped with zero speedstabilizers which will ensure she is stable even at anchorage. It will also be
equipped with Dynamic Positioning so that it can stay in position without
having to anchor. Of course, all Unlimited-Class vessels are built to the
latest rules for stability, fire safety, evacuation, life-saving appliances,
environmental MARPOL standards, etc.
Most excitingly however is the innovative design that
allows for multiple interior layouts. Vessel exteriors would remain the same on
all vessels in the class, but interior scheme selections range from 120
cabins/240 passengers to 60 cabins/120 passengers, allowing for larger or
smaller cabins as well as identical public areas more or less seating density.
This unique concept is a direct reflection of SUNSTONE’s knowledge of the many
different requirements of charterers and their different passengers.
Rendering of PROJECT UNLIMITED - courtsey SUNSTONE and ULSTEIN
SUNSTONE
Conservation
Advancing
Greener Cruising
The highlight of PROJECT UNLIMITED is, of course,
the One of SUNSTONE’s key areas of focus over the past year has been the
development of initiatives to save fuel and reduce pollution. One significant
area SUNSTONE is evaluating is the development of new propellers/propeller
hub rudders on vessels. This one change can reduce fuel usage by between
6-9%.
Another initiative to significantly reduce fuel
consumption is being reviewed that includes a list of more than 60 items
compiled for review – from the ballasting of the ship, to turning off pumps
and equipment not in use, changing light bulbs to LED bulbs, etc., which can
result in savings in excess of 4% on an annualized basis.
Going forward, SUNSTONE has invested in newly
developed equipment which has been patented worldwide and is currently being
tested commercially. This equipment is not only expected to reduce fuel
consumption, but will also significantly reduce pollution. Look for more
details as testing is concluded in upcoming issues of the SUNSTONE Insider.
more or less seating density. This unique concept is
a direct reflection of SUNSTONE’s knowledge of the many different
requirements of charterers and their different passengers.
© 2017 SUNSTONE
Ships Inc.
|
Detailed information about the SUNSTONE fleet, the
vessels available for sale or charter and the company's new-building programme
is available on its website.
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