‘Azura’ launched at Fincantieri Monfalcone

Italy: The Fincantieri Monfalcone shipyard launched a new P&O cruise ship for the Carnival Group on June 26.

‘‘Azura’ is a sistership of the ‘Ventura’ which was delivered last year at the same yard. ‘Azura’ will commence operations in the northern spring next year. Present at the launch ceremony were, on behalf of the shipowner, David Dingle, CEO of Carnival UK and Nigel Esdale, Managing Director of P&O Cruises, while Fincantieri was represented by Paolo Capobianco, Director of Monfalcone shipyard. Godmother to the ship was Amanda Dowds, wife of Captain Keith Dowds who will command the new vessel. Weighing in at a gross tonnage of 116,000 tonnes, and at 290 metres long, with 2,180 cabins for 3,118 guests and 1,265 crew, the ‘Azura’ is a masterpiece of Italian style, a perfect mix of high technology, elegance and exclusive services.

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Maersk looks to boost intra-Asia volumes six fold

Hong Kong: AP Moller-Maersk wants to expand its share of the intra-Asia container trades six-fold, ScandAsia reported.

‘Expansion plans for this region through Singapore-based feeder subsidiary Mercantile Cargo Consolidators Transport were outlined a year ago, with AP Moller-Maersk keen to fully exploit a sector in which it has had only a peripheral interest until now. Current market share is put at around 2%, whereas Maersk Line’s share of the inter-continental trades is between12% and 15%. That is the target for MCC Transport, according to chief executive Tim Wickmann.

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‘Manannan’ participates in Manx TT Race

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s latest Incat fast ferry has completed her first Manx TT Race period, ferrying thousands of passengers and their bikes to and from the island during race festival.

‘During the TT period, the Steam Packet Company carried over 9,900 motorcycles, 4,000 cars/vans and 30,000 passengers, in each direction with its two fast craft and conventional ferry. Allocated to the busy Douglas to Liverpool service, the ‘Manannan’ is the largest diesel-powered high speed craft on the Irish Sea with greater cruising speed and increased vehicle and passenger capacity than the vessel she replaces. The 96-metre wave piercing catamaran was built by Incat in Tasmania, Australia, in 1998 as the ‘Incat 050’. Purchased by the Manx company in May 2008, the vessel sailed from Tasmania bound for Portsmouth, England, in June 2008 to commence an extensive refit project.

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