Foreword Prepare to be amazed Given the sheer scale of innovation in the maritime sector, we may be forgiven for occasionally appearing a little nonchalant in the face of wonder. Sometimes barely an eyebrow is raised at tales of air-lubricated, autonomous ships optimised by digital twins docking in smart ports, or robot bartenders joining the crew of a green methanol-fuelled ship. I’d encourage us all to embrace the amazing – take a moment for these achievements to sink in and then share our enthusiasm for the pioneering discoveries borne from passenger shipping’s insatiable appetite for innovation. Cruise and ferry owners are quick to invest in new materials, technologies and equipment, to push the pace of invention. That might be considered a risky strategy in some industries, never mind one in which capital assets disintegrate within an ostrich’s lifetime. But these investments are carefully considered and a reflection of the industry’s innovative spirit. For example, our keynote interview with Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises (page 10) and our interview with Emanuele Grimalidi, managing director of ferry operator Grimaldi Group (page 80) celebrate the steps both brands are taking to decarbonise their fleets with methanol-fuelled vessels and other sustainability innovations. Burgeoning supply chains in the areas such as decarbonisation and safety are helping owners to go boldly beyond regulatory compliance, as can be seen in our features on pages 102 and 130. Royal Caribbean International’s Star of the Seas, Gotlandsbolaget’s Horizon X, Stena RoRo’s E-Flexers and other ships featured within this issue demonstrate what can be accomplished when visionary owners trust like-minded suppliers. And as you read on, you’ll find that innovation is similarly impressive in the onboard and shoreside experience too. At Cruise & Ferry Review, we’re happy to continue to celebrate ingenuity, craft and vision. We hope to raise a few eyebrows along the way! Jon Ingleton Executive Editor, Cruise & Ferry Review CONTRIBUTORS CFR would like to thank all of those who contributed to this issue, including: Heather Combs As CEO of maritime software developer Ripple Operations, Heather is a growth-oriented leader with a strong focus on improving workforce readiness and online education. Aaron Russ Aaron is commercial director and expedition lead at Heritage Expeditions. He has led over 100 expeditions to the world’s most remote regions and has a degree in zoology. Michele Witthaus Michele is a former editor of Cruise & Ferry Review. Now freelance, she writes about passenger shipping and ports with a particular focus on maritime sustainability. Andreas Ullrich Naval architect Andreas is the global commercial director for passenger ships and ferries at RINA. He has extensive experience in ship design, construction and operation. AW/25 3
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