126 Outfitter perspectives We spoke with three outfitters to find out what’s behind the surge in passenger shipping refurbishment projects Passenger shipping outfitting firms are reporting an increase in the number of refurbishment projects in 2024 and are booking work in for 2025 and beyond. “Our customers are planning further into the future than they have been over the last few years, and we are seeing increasing confidence in the refurbishment market with much larger renovation and significant revitalisation works in the pipeline,” says Nick Farrell, co-owner of UK-based outfitter Trimline. “Looking ahead to 2025 and 2026, we are seeing perhaps a 40 to 50 per cent growth compared to the last 12 months, which is fantastic news, both for us and everyone in the industry.” Several factors are driving the boom. “Shipowners are doing everything from updating decorative features to ensure high standards of quality are maintained onboard, to refurbishing entire spaces to create completely new venues,” says Karen Argue, business development manager at The Deluxe Group, which is based in Northern Ireland. “We are excited the industry has a strong newbuild order book as new innovations onboard will mean operators will continue to revitalise current ships to attract passengers.” Fiona Nevin, head of global business development at MJM Marine, has noticed more cruise lines paying close attention to sustainability during refit projects. “The state of the global passenger shipping refurbishment market is thriving, with increasing emphasis on sustainability and luxury,” she says. “Improving passenger comfort and incorporating modern amenities that outperform previous models are currently top priorities for shipowners. Future priorities will likely focus on further reducing the environmental impact of ships while incorporating advanced digital experiences.” Outfitting firms, such as The Deluxe Group, are experiencing an increase in refurbishment projects onboard older cruise ships FEATURE
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