123 regular maintenance and refurbishment work on their existing vessels to ensure they offer the same brand standards and high-quality experiences as their newer ships. With much to do to decarbonise and modernise the existing fleet of ships, repair and refurbishment shipyards around the globe have, so far, had a busy 2025. Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven, Germany Ambassador Cruise Line’s Renaissance spent a month in drydock in early 2025 where it was rebranded from former operator Compagnie Française de Croisières, as part of the company’s merger with Ambassador (which has formed the Ambassador Group). The ship also received a number of modernisations, including the retrofitting of a selective catalytic reactor exhaust gas treatment system for emission reduction. The team also used ultra-high-pressure washing to remove damaged areas on the underwater hull before applying a silicone coating on the propellers. Preparations were also made for the installation of a shore power system. BLRT Grupp Western Shiprepair, Klaipeda, Lithuania Work has begun to convert the first of two Scandlines ferries to plug-in hybrid vessels. The Danish ferry operator is investing over €31 million ($36.3 million) to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80 per cent on the PuttgardenRødby route in the Baltic Sea. Western Shiprepair will install five-megawatt battery systems and charging facilities on each ferry. The second conversion is scheduled for December 2025, with the project set for completion in early 2026. Fincantieri, Trieste, Italy Three Finnlines ro-pax vessels – sister ships Finnstar, Finnlady and Finnmaid – received numerous upgrades during a drydock in spring 2025. The refurbishment focused on enhancing the cafe and lounge areas with new seating, carpets and colour palette. Holland America Line’s Oosterdam spent time in drydock at Grand Bahama Shipyard; three Finnlines ferries were upgraded with new cafes at the Fincantieri shipyard Trieste; and Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Discovery underwent general maintenance at A&P Falmouth
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