Cruise & Ferry Review - Autumn/Winter 2021

9 8 REFIT REPORT Astican, Spain Astican carried out works onboard trimaran fast ferry Bajamar Express as it dry docked in the shipyard in Las Palmas on the Canary Islands. Operated by Fred. Olsen Express between Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the municipality of Agaete in Gran Canaria, the vessel has a beam of 28 metres, making it the longest-ever vessel to dry dock in the shipyard. The Astican shipyard is equipped with a Syncrolift platform with lifting capacity for vessels up to 36,000 deadweight tonnage and seven dry docking lanes. Remontowa, Poland Silversea Cruises’ Silver Wind entered Remontowa shipyard in July for conversion into an ice-class expedition ship, allowing it to sail cruises in polar regions. The redesign will include the addition of an ice-strengthened hull and ice-detector sonars, as well as 24 zodiacs, 14 kayaks, a photo studio, a mudroom and a water-heating system in the ship’s swimming pool. The ship will also be equipped with a new advanced wastewater treatment plant, food waste treatment facilities and fuel-saving boilers. The upper suites onboard the ship will be refurbished with new furniture, carpets and walk-in showers. Vista and Veranda suites will also be updated with new walk-in showers. Several of the ship’s public areas will be renovated, with repainted walls and ceilings in La Dame, La Terrazza, the Observation Lounge, the Panorama Lounge, and the reception area. Following her refurbishment, Silver Wind will set sail on 20 November 2021 for a 22-day journey to Antarctica. Revitalised return Although the global pandemic is continuing to disrupt the plans of operators and shipyards alike, demand for refit and refurbishment projects is slowly beginning to return as passenger shipping starts to resume. Alex Smith highlights some of the work shipyards have carried out in the first six months of 2021