Cruise & Ferry Review - Spring/Summer 2021

3 3 Viewpoint: Hannes Lindthaler Preparing to restart The resumption of sailing will take place in several phases, with each phase requiring adjusted processes. Pre-cruise, guests will use an enhanced online check-in process, and real-time data replication will be essential to sharing changes instantaneously. Operators will also introduce many new processes onboard their vessels and they must provide e-learning resources for crew members to ensure these procedures are executed efficiently. MarineXchange’s fully integrated MXP Protect Suite provides cruise operators with all the right tools to tackle those operational challenges. The purpose-built solutions were field-tested over the past six months and met all the necessary requirements. Furthermore, the enterprise approach of the MXP software suite and the extensive use of mobile applications, allows cruise lines to lower operating costs, increase revenues and deliver their signature service to their guests. Hannes Lindthaler is managing director of MarineXchange Ferry operator Tallink Grupp has installed Qtagg’s EcoPilot voyage optimisation system on its cruise ferry Isabelle. The system links onboard systems to digitalise the ship’s operation process for the crew and can manage an entire voyage by calculating an optimum power plan and executing it automatically with minimal manual intervention. Since its installation onboard Isabelle in summer 2020, EcoPilot has been used on over 50 voyages between Stockholm, Sweden and Riga, Latvia. Over this time, the system has delivered a seven per cent reduction in fuel consumption, which was verified by sailing alternate roundtrips with it operational and non-operational. AP Companies has created a network of laboratories to provide Covid-19 PCR testing for crews around the world. Testing can be carried out in several different ways. A crew member can perform the test in a medical centre. Alternatively, they can receive the test by post and send the extracted sample to a laboratory using a prepaid special envelope. Cruise lines can also purchase the tests in bulk to store onboard a vessel. The ship’s doctor can then perform the tests when needed and send them to the laboratory for analysis. Tallink Grupp installs Qtagg’s EcoPilot system AP Companies develops Covid-19 testing network Photo: Marko Stampehl