Page 12: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 2004)

News

Not Just Another Dam Ship

In 2003, Holland America (HAL) added another "Dam" ship to its fleet in the form of the 82,000-gt MS

Oosterdam. Oosterdam — built at the Fincantieri ship- yard in Marghera, Italy — is the second 1,848 passen- ger Vista-class ship for the company, joining sister ship ms Zuiderdam, which debuted in December 2002. The 951 -ft. ship, delivered in July 2003 in Rotterdam, was introduced with an inaugural sailing out of Port

Everglades in December 2003. Upon first glance of the interior of the ship, the European influence, dis- tinctive decor, influx of amenities and impeccable service embodies the cruiseline's $225 million

Signature of Excellence initiative. Frans Dingemans. along with a team of architects and designers, molded the unique ambiance aboard the latest HAL ships.

Along with Dingemans' original designs. HAL ships, including the Oosterdam, showcase millions of dollars worth of antiques and old master artworks. Perhaps the most notable difference between Oosterdam and its sistership is the color scheme and the ambiance. The

Zuiderdam, which infuses a brighter color palette dif- fers from the more subtle Oosterdam. While the new

Vista class ships share an aesthetic beauty, the techni- cal modifications provide a different realm of sophisti- cation. Among the technical advancements for the

Vista-class ships includes adding a gas turbine to the vessel. According to HAL, the gas turbines allows for use of one less diesel engine, so it has five 16-cylinder

Sulzer medium speed diesel power plants. The

Oosterdam sails at 24 knots, driven by a pair of 17.4-

MW Azipods.

The design of the engine room adds to the innovative advancements. The engines are situated in two separate spaces that can be completely closed off from each other so that in the event of an emergency in one engine room, power systems in the other will still pro- vide sufficient propulsion and electrical power to return the ship safely to port. The GE gas turbine also located in a separate space provides a third backup sys- tem and allows the ship to operate without visible pol- lution in sensitive areas such as Alaska.

According to Stein Kruse. senior vice president of fleet operations, "the ms Oosterdam. represents the very latest thinking in ship-building technology, from navigational tools to environmental protection."

The multi-million dollar Rochem sewage system enables the Oosterdam to have little impact on the environment. The system allows the gray water to be recycled and used for various technical aspects on the ship such as cooling water. HAL continues to work on a system that will allow the ships to recycle ballast water. Like its sister. Oosterdam boasts a spacious design for public areas and staterooms where 85 per- cent of its staterooms have ocean views, with 67 per- cent of all staterooms sporting verandahs.

Oosterdam is lucky number 13 in the Dam fleet, with two more on the way. HAL recently announced that the line's fourth Vista-class ship, scheduled for delivery in

January 2006. will be named MS Noordam.

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New Diamond Princess

Delivered in Japan

In Nagasaki, Japan, the 116,000-ton, 2,670-passen- ger Diamond Princess was delivered to Princess

Cruises by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI).

The ship is a new design for Princess and makes his- tory as the first large cruise ship built in Japan in more than a decade. The vessel incorporates Princess' trademark design philosophy — an abundance of bal- cony cabins, flexibility in dining and entertainment options, Princess' renowned service and a variety of intimate spaces — giving the ship all of the choice of a large ship with the feel of a much smaller vessel.

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Circle 207 on Reader Service Card 12 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News