Company insight Getting hot and cold


As cruise-goer numbers swell and appetite for charting polar regions grows, the pressure is on for vessels to be adapted to both cold and warm weather regions. Carsten Lund, chief commercial officer at SunStone Maritime Group, discusses the benefits of technical consistency and design variability.


ruises are growing in popularity. 2024 CLIA Cruise Forecast Data predicts that passenger numbers will hit 37.1 million this year, growing to almost 40 million by 2027. For cruise firms, the challenge will be catering to this growing, inherently diverse group. Some passengers will want the adventure that routes alongside Alaska and Antarctica promise; others will want the languor and relaxation proffered by more typical Caribbean and Mediterranean routes. Therefore, vessels that are both robust and adaptable, and can chart multiple environments and seasons are necessary to both deliver on customer need and drive commercial benefits.


C


As SunStone Maritime Group chief commercial officer, Carsten Lund explains, for operators that need to chart varied environments, vessel adaptability is key. SunStone has a storied history of chartering and new-build vessel offerings. Since 2019, its eco-friendly Infinity Class Vessel has charted polar and tropical regions with ease. “And it is important to note that we continue to be extremely satisfied with the Infinity Class vessels,” says Lund.


But StoneStone is expanding with a new vessel class: Boundless. Lund promises it will be larger and more suited to warm-water operations. “We want to continue building ships that can go anywhere in the world,” he says, adding that the Boundless will be completed with Safe Return to Port, zero-speed stabilisers and virtual anchoring. “It will have even more outdoor deck space, 100% of cabins will have balconies and zodiacs [inflatable boats offering cruise goers further on-water adventure] will no longer be stored on the aft deck.” Indeed, Lund offers that any extraneous vessels from jet skis to submarines and water toys that charterers want will be stored in a new on-ship closed garage along with a pool on a top deck under a retractable roof .“We also offer an alternative super structure design for Charterers who wish to have even more


StoneStone is expanding with a new vessel class: Boundless.


outdoor deck space and maybe an additional pool in exchange for fewer cabins.” Adapability in action.


Customisation, customisation, customisation


In fact, with market data showing a diversified charterer and cruise market, it is Lund’s view that ships must meet individual charterer needs. “Everything we do is very long term, and our charter contracts usually run three to five years on older vessels and ten to 15 years on new- built vessels. It is therefore important to us, as well as to our Charterers, that each vessel becomes the ‘Charterer’s vessel’ for the period of hire,” he says.


This is not just confined to the build of the ship but down to internal design. “Aside from the points mentioned previously, we offer a high level of customisation to the interior spaces,” continues Lund. “For older vessels we work closely with our charterers to explore options of refits and modifications to suit the clients’ needs and on our new builds the charterers choose the number of cabins and public spaces and work with the interior designers prior to construction to decide on the design of each space on board.”


World Cruise Industry Review / www.worldcruiseindustryreview.com


It would be all smoke and no fire if these hyper-personalisable ships were then not able to meet the market’s need to sail to any port: whether that be Juneau in Alaska or Dubrovnik in Croatia. “We build our ships to be identical from a technical perspective, meaning that all ships can be operated in both warm waters and polar regions,” says Lund. “However, warm water operators will want to prioritise outdoor deck space, sun chairs and pools, as well as a wider range of activities outside the ship and in the waters surrounding the ship. But with a surge in polar cruise tourism – The Arctic Council Working Group on the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment data shows that cruise trips to the Arctic were almost double in 2023 what they were in 2013 – it will be about designing ships for cold weather needs, too. “Landscapes and wildlife should be observable from the comfort of warm indoor public spaces for the passengers who may not want to be standing on the outside decks,” Lund concludes.


Something for everyone, it seems. ● www.sunstoneships.com 27


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33