CONTRIBUTORS CFR would like to thank all of those who contributed to this issue, including: Rebecca Barnes Freelance travel writer Rebecca has written cruise-related content for countless trade and consumer titles, and has sailed to all corners of the world. Mike Corrigan A former energy industry executive, Mike joined Interferry as CEO in 2017 after 14 years with BC Ferries, where he was president and CEO from 2012. Susan Parker Susan has written about the shipping industry since 1990 and was editor of Lloyd’s Cruises International until 2008. She is now a freelance cruise shipping specialist. David Selby David Selby is the former managing director of TUIowned brand Marella Cruises and is now managing owner of cruise destination consultancy Travelyields. Cruise ships and ferries are increasingly plugging into the local grid and switching their engines off in ports around the world. Operators are taking giant steps towards a significantly more sustainable future, electric-enabled for those providing river and short-sea services. Such innovation rarely receives the fanfare it deserves, and passengers are happily nonchalant about the absence of funnel smoke and engine noise – it simply feels normal. That quiet acceptance of fundamental technological changes captures where the passenger shipping industry finds itself in 2026. Many of the ideas we wrote about years ago are now operational realities. Sustainability, efficiency and digitalisation are no longer distant ambitions; they are shaping daily decisions across fleets, shipyards and supply chains. Progress is happening on existing ships, as well as newbuilds. “We’ve continued investing to make our existing ships more efficient throughout their lifecycle,” says Beth Bodensteiner, Holland America Line president, in our keynote interview on page 12. Propulsion and energy systems are evolving rapidly too. Hybrid solutions, batteries and alternative fuels are moving from trials to practical deployment. As Ken Goh, general manager at KNUD E. HANSEN, remarks in our engine room feature on page 92: “Electrification is a defining mega-trend of sustainable transportation.” Shipyards are also adapting, particularly as refurbishment and modernisation projects grow in importance. “Successful yards will be those that invest in cruise-dedicated teams, lifecycle thinking and repeatable refurbishment processes,” observes Trevor Young, founder of Ocean Ventures Advisory, on page 110. Behind all this technical progress sits one simple objective, as Antonio di Nenno of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys explains: “We begin by designing the experience first – the emotions, behaviours and moments we want guests to live onboard.” We are human after all. Jon Ingleton Executive Editor, Cruise & Ferry Review A new normal Foreword SS/26 3
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