By
Michele Witthaus |
This article first appeared in the Spring/Summer 2015 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review. To read other articles, you can subscribe to the magazine in printed or digital formats
Running a fleet of cruise ships is a multifaceted business, no more so than in the early twenty-first century as marine operations chiefs are required to meet ever tougher cost and regulatory targets. Carnival Cruise Line, like its competitors, needs to be quick on its feet to stay ahead. “In recent years, the overall focus on safe, reliable and sustainable operations has increased,” says Martin Landtman. “We have taken aggressive action as it relates to training and talent development, new and robust safety procedures as well as investments in enhanced safety features and new technology. We can see that all of these efforts are bearing fruit and we constantly strive for continuous improvement.”
Even the recent downswing in the oil price will not distract the company from its focus on prudent planning. “The lower fuel prices we have recently experienced have in no way impacted our strong commitment to constantly reduce fuel consumption and our carbon foot print,” says Landtman.
The line is committed to Carnival Corporation & plc’s multiyear fuel conservation programme and sustainability initiative. Landtman points out that for the brand, many of the activities involved in this programme are nothing new. “We have several layers of initiatives to achieve our established targets including investments in new, fuel efficient technology; introduction of new operational procedures for minimised energy consumption such as route optimisation; energy-efficient itinerary planning; utilisation of shore power and installation of exhaust gas scrubbers for reduced air emissions.”
He is looking forward to the operational developments that are due to come online with newbuild Carnival Vista and her sister ship. “When Carnival Vista enters service in spring 2016, she will be the biggest ship in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet, incorporating all the latest features for a superior guest experience and at the same time have maximum fuel efficiency and enhanced safety features. She will be built to meet Safe Return to Port requirements and have the latest equipment for enhanced environmental friendliness and recovery of waste energy.”
Landtman is proud of the strides that his brand’s parent company is making in training, especially with the new CSMART facility opening for business. “Carnival Corporation is investing heavily in our training and simulator facility in Almere, The Netherlands,” he says. “All our deck and engine officers are being trained in the latest bridge and engine resource management procedures, ship handling etc. and are being tested for proficiency before taking up their positions onboard the ships.
“We are constantly taking steps to update the procedures and equipment of the ships for enhanced safety, reliability and sustainability and find it extremely important that we have a facility like CSMART where we can train the officers before they take on their duties.”
In particular, he is proud of new measures introduced to ensure optimal performance in the engine rooms of the ships. “Just as we implemented new training for bridge operations a few years ago, we have now also introduced new Engine Room Resource Management procedures for the engineers. All indicators suggest that this is enhancing the safety and reliability of our operations.
“A few years ago we introduced Reliability Centred Maintenance for key systems and this, in combination with a strengthened shoreside asset and project management organisation, has resulted in improved reliability and energy efficiency.”
When it comes to managing safety and security onboard the ships, what does he regard as the most important practices that he would like crew to prioritise in their daily routines?
“Carnival Cruise Line has a stable, well trained and experienced officer force fully committed to safe, reliable and sustainable operations,” says Landtman. “We have a strong safety culture laid out in our Service and Safety Values. Our teams are trained to respond rapidly by engaging and owning issues until resolved, by showing pride in our jobs and our company and by showing care and respect to our guests and fellow team members. These are the things we prioritise and focus on in our daily operations, in our interaction with our guests and with each other.”