Equipment to be replaced before ship transitions to P&O Cruises as Pacific Explorer
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Carnival Corporation has contracted GE to update the propulsion controls onboard Princess Cruises’ Dawn Princess as it transforms the vessel into Pacific Explorer and transfers her to the P&O Cruises Australia fleet.
The company originally equipped Dawn Princess with propulsion technology when she first launched in 1994, and will now replace this system with the latest generation of digital controllers (PECe Range). The updated decentralised controls will reduce installation costs, while enhancing redundancy and operational safety.
“GE has been our long-term partner with whom we have partnered on a number of vessels in the past,” said Greg Jackson, P&O Cruises Australia. “We have always been impressed by the quality of solutions provided by GE and remain confident that their new propulsion controllers will live up to our high standards.”
GE will use a real-time simulator at its Belfort Center of Excellence in France to test the new system on a digital model of Dawn Princess. This will enable the company to complete the upgrade in 12 days during the ship’s drydock. GE will also provide technical assistance during the first cruise after dry docking.
“We are delighted to be partnering once again with Carnival Corporation, providing upgrade services to one of the largest cruise operators in the world,” said Tim Schweikert, president and CEO, GE’s Marine Solutions. “The company’s trust in our solutions over the years speaks volumes of the quality of our offerings to the cruise industry.”
Dawn Princess will be refurbished and renamed Pacific Explorer when she joins P&O Cruises Australia’s fleet in May 2017. The 2,000-guest ship will feature a similar interior design to P&O’s newest ships – Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden – which were recently refitted at the Sembcorp Marine yard in Singapore.
Pacific Explorer will sail from Sydney during her inaugural season. More itinerary details will be revealed soon.