Page 42: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2024)

IN THE SHIPYARD “Most other next-generation power solutions that could have been considered require an SCR system. This was not an option for the Amera for construction reasons, as this would have required a new exhaust system and urea storage.

The solution from Wabtec is based on an exhaust gas recirculation system. We have already had good experience with such solutions from Wabtec, for example with smaller versions of auxiliary diesel engines on the Amadea. An alternative fuel re? t would have not been possible due to space limitations.” – Tim Mass, Technical

Superintendent, BSM Cruise hipowners in all sectors face the same deci- cluding the Tier III engine upgrade, steel construction, IT sion: build new or refurbish older tonnage. and hotel technical modi? cations.

In the booming cruise sector the decision is more pressing, particularly as new con- FIT FOR REFIT struction ships can take two to three years Tightening emission reduction regulation globally is the to build, perhaps longer today with global primary driver today for shipbuilding and re? t projects,

Sshipyard orderbooks packed full. from tugboats to tankers and every sector in between. Ac-

When the decision was taken to upgrade the nearly cording to Mass, the conversion and re? t of Amera fol- 40-year-old MS Amera, trust for the project landed with lowed this formula, driven by regulation and sustainability

BSM Cruise, the technical ship manager of MS Amera, and aspirations of its owner. Also, the ship was to be upgraded

Wabtec channel partner VMS Group, charged with provid- in terms of technology (replacing obsolete machinery like ing a modern power package to propel the ship for a new gearboxes) and comfort.

generation of cruise ship passengers. “Phoenix Reisen is constantly investing in the renewal

The ship was built in 1988 as Royal Viking Sun at Wärt- and improvement of its ? eet,” said Mass. “Phoenix Reisen silä-Marine-Perno shipyard in Turku, Finland, and operated relies on traditional cruise tonnage because these ships ? t from 2000 as Seabourn Sun; from 2002 as Prinsendam; and perfectly into the portfolio and suit the taste of the Phoenix since 2019 as Amera, sailing for the German cruise operator cruise customers. BSM Cruise started the ? rst project phase

Phoenix Reisen. Throughout its career it has received regu- in 2020 by determining different technical options to meet lar upgrades, conversions and renovations, most recently at the requirements.” the end of 2023/beginning of 2024 at Remontowa Shipyard In 2021, the contracts were signed with VMS for four in Gdansk, Poland. Wabtec main engines and two Flender gearboxes, and at the

Tim Mass, Technical Superintendent, BSM Cruise end of September 2023, the ship entered drydock at Remon- since 2018 and a long-tenured maritime professional, was towa Shipyard in Gdansk, Poland. In addition to the afore- responsible for the conversion and retro? tting of Amera, in- mentioned suppliers, other major contributors in the project 42 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • August 2024

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