Fire safety fears are delaying the launch of the world's newest luxury cruise liner, report says
- The launch of a luxury cruise ship was delayed by faulty fire panels, the Financial Times reported.
- Sources told the FT that 45 cruise ships globally were affected by the safety fault.
- That number equals about 15% of the global cruise ship fleet.
The launch of a highly anticipated luxury cruise ship has been delayed by safety concerns, the Financial Times reported on Friday.
The Explora I, run by cruise giant MSC, lost a crucial safety certification over faulty fire-resistant panels, per the newspaper, which cited unnamed sources.
Paroc, a Finnish supplier of the panels to the shipbuilder Fincantieri, informed the Italian company that a second type of panel had also lost its certification, the sources told the FT.
The 813ft Explora 1 is the first for MSC's luxury Explora Journeys division that will operate four ships.
Prices for Explora Journeys range from $2,000 to $20,000 per person for cruises of up to 35 nights. The Explora 1 was due to be launched this spring.
In addition to reportedly delaying the Explora 1's launch, sources told the FT that Paroc had identified 45 other ships carrying the faulty panels. The outlet identified Royal Caribbean International as another customer of Paroc.
According to data compiled by Cruise Market Watch , about 320 cruise ships are operating globally.
That would indicate about 15% of the world's operating cruise ships could be at risk of disruption if the panels needed to be replaced.
Cruise travel this year is expected to be just above 2019 levels, according to the Cruise Line International Agency, indicating a return to pre-pandemic demand.
According to economic forecaster Oxford Economics , cruise operating capacity is expected to exceed its 2019 level by 16% in 2024.
MSC and Fincantieri didn't immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider, made outside normal working hours.
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The launch of the world’s newest luxury cruise liner has been delayed because of faulty fire-resistant panels, sending shockwaves across the shipbuilding industry after it emerged dozens of other ships at sea were also affected.
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri was first informed at the end of May that a supplier had lost its safety certification for one type of panel used to equip Explora I, a 248-metre-long vessel to be delivered to Swiss cruise operator MSC, according to people with knowledge of the communication.
Helsinki-based Paroc, the supplier, subsequently informed Fincantieri that a second type of panel had lost its certification, said the people, who declined to be identified because of potential liabilities. This week the panels started being recalled by their local distributor, prompting MSC and Fincantieri to cancel the boat’s launch at a day’s notice.
Paroc has identified 45 boats in operation with the faulty panels, including other types of ships run by other companies, the people said. Globally, there are fewer than 300 cruise ships in operation, according to the Cruise Lines International Association, an industry body which represents 95 per cent of the world’s ocean-going cruise capacity.
The discovery comes as the cruise industry enters the crucial summer season, which will make or break cruise companies’ hopes of surpassing annual passenger volumes from 2019 for the first time since the pandemic dealt a severe blow to the industry.
The International Maritime Organisation, the global regulator for shipping, sets requirements for shipping equipment to be tested for fire safety. The IMO said it is up to the ship’s flag states and ports to detain a vessel or decide if it is fit to sail or not.
One of the ships affected is the MSC Euribia delivered by French shipyard Chantiers de L’Atlantique at the end of May. Another vessel built by Fincantieri for MSC has the same fittings.
Carnival, the world’s biggest cruise operator, said the panels in question were fitted on one ship in its fleet but they had passed “all required certifications at the time of installation”. However, it said it was aware of the recent test failure.
“While we have seen no indication of any issues with the insulation actually installed on our ship, we are looking into the test results and discussing them with the relevant flag state regulators and authorities,” said Carnival. “We will, of course, take whatever action necessary to ensure the continued safety and security of our guests and crew.”
Cruise operator Royal Caribbean International and German shipbuilder Meyer Werft have also used panels made by the same supplier, according to Paroc’s website. Meyer Werft said none of their ships were affected. Royal Caribbean did not respond to a request for comment about whether their vessels were fitted with the faulty Paroc panels.
The problem came to light on Wednesday when MSC, the world’s largest privately owned cruise ship operator, cancelled Explora I’s christening scheduled the following day in Civitavecchia, a few miles north of Rome. MSC also cancelled the ship’s maiden voyage scheduled for next week.
Explora I, one of four luxury vessels Fincantieri is building for MSC, boasts 14 decks, swimming pools, spas, nine restaurants and hundreds of luxurious suites with whirlpool baths on their own private terraces. Replacing all the panels, fitted to the floors and the walls, would require huge work as the boat was readying to launch.
Fincantieri said in a statement on Wednesday it had agreed with MSC to delay the delivery “by a few weeks to make further enhancements” to the vessel, without elaborating.
In a communication to travel agents, Michael Ungerer, chief executive of MSC subsidiary Explora Journeys, said the ship builder had “identified a critical issue that must receive immediate attention”.
“Certain materials from a third-party supplier do not meet the required safety certifications and we therefore could not take delivery of the ship as planned,” he said, adding it was working with Fincantieri on “resolving the situation to ensure that Explora I will meet the highest safety standards”.
New York-listed Owens Corning, Paroc’s parent company, told the FT: “Paroc recently became aware of concerns related to one of its insulation product lines exclusively serving the marine industry.”
“We are currently working with both customers and regulatory authorities to address any potential risks arising from their use,” it added.
Without a valid conformity certification the panels cannot be fitted on ships for fire insulation, under EU law. The panels certification normally have a five-year validity. Paroc certifications were issued in 2020 and had been due to expire in 2025, according to four people close to the discussions.
It is unclear why fresh tests on the panels, which are made of non-combustible stone wool and are designed to resist flames for extended amounts of time, were run this year.
MSC, the Geneva-based group owned by Italy’s billionaire Aponte family, and Milan-listed Fincantieri declined to comment further.
Chantiers de l’Atlantique said it was taking the situation “very seriously and is working in full cooperation with classification societies and shipowners to understand and treat [it]”.
This article has been amended after publication to include a response from Meyer Werft
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Explora I’s Delay Linked to Failed Fire-Safety Panels, Other Cruise Ships Affected
Last week’s last-second delay of the launch of Explora I has been tied to the use of faulty fire-resistant safety panels, according to the U.K.’s Financial Times .
Two types of panels supplied by Helsinki-based Paroc lost their certification – in May and July, respectively. Fincantieri, the shipyard building Explora I, was notified of the second certification failure just days before it was due to deliver Explora I to Explora Journeys and MSC.
“As soon as the issue with the materials used on EXPLORA I came to light, Explora Journeys, our sister company, made the responsible decision not to take delivery of the ship, even though this meant that the first sailing was cancelled to ensure that the ship will have the appropriate certifications when she comes into service,” MSC said in a prepared statement. “Explora Journeys is working closely with Fincantieri to deal with the issue swiftly and appropriately to ensure the safety and compliance of the ship.”
The supplier also identified several other cruise companies using the panels in ships that are currently in service, including Carnival and Royal Caribbean.
“The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority,” a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean told Travel Marke Report. “We are aware of concerns involving a third-party vendor and are working diligently to assess if there are any impacts to our fleet. We will continue to ensure we meet and exceed all safety and compliance standards, and if necessary, will take immediate corrective action.”
“The materials and equipment onboard all our ships comply with all necessary certifications, laws and regulations that govern our business,” said a Carnival Corporation & plc spokesperson. “That includes the A60 insulation manufactured by Paroc that was installed on one ship in our fleet and passed all required certifications at the time of installation and met all SOLAS standards at delivery.
We are aware Paroc insulation materials failed to meet standards in a recent test. While we have seen no indication of any issues with the insulation actually installed on our ship, we are looking into the test results and discussing them with the relevant flag state regulators and authorities. We will, of course, take whatever action necessary to ensure the continued safety and security of our guests and crew.
It is important to note that our global fleet is equipped with advanced fire detection and suppression systems – with built-in redundancy for added security – to mitigate risk in the unlikely event of a fire.”
According to the Financial Times, two ships in the MSC Cruises fleet are affected. One is MSC Euribia, which was delivered by shipyard Chantiers de L’Atlantique in May. The other remains unidentified.
“Other ships afloat with the same insulation tiles are not automatically implicated,” the line said. “As a result of this issue, our other shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atalantique is working with the classification society and maritime industry experts to analyze MSC Euribia in detail and perform testing as needed. We will develop any necessary action plans if required. The safety of our passengers and crew is our utmost priority, and we will continue to ensure that all of our ships have the required safety systems and procedures in place.”
“The safety of passengers and crew is the highest priority for the cruise industry and our cruise line members — as is evident by the industry’s strong safety record and multi-layered approach to regulation, testing, certification, and ongoing inspection of ships, in addition to advanced detection and mitigation systems and highly trained crew onboard,” Cruise Lines International Association said in a statement.
“Our cruise line members are confident that the responsible parties are taking all steps to determine and resolve any issues, and they remain vigilant in monitoring of all safety systems to degrees that often exceed that of other industries and maritime requirements.”
While Norwegian Cruise Line is not named by the supplier of the safety panels, its newest ship Norwegian Viva is being built at a Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.
“The safety, security and well-being of our guests and crew is always our top priority,” said a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line. “As such, all ships in our fleet are subject to strict safety regulation and certification standards and undergo regular inspections on an ongoing basis. We are aware of a recent certification issue with insulation panels provided by a third-party supplier and installed on certain cruise ships. At this time, we do not believe any ships in our fleet are impacted, however we are actively working with our shipyards and classification societies to conduct a thorough investigation. We are monitoring this vigilantly and if needed will take swift action to maintain our rigorous safety and compliance standards and ensure the continued protection of our guests and crew.”
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Cruise Critic Feature: Will Fire Panel Safety Issues Affecting Explora I Affect Other Cruise Ships, Too?
By LauraS , July 13, 2023 in Cruise Critic News & Features
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There have been several notable fires on cruise ships since 2020, including the May 2022 fire aboard Carnival Freedom that destroyed the ship's iconic "whale tail" funnel, a small fire ...
The Financial Times article published last week titled Luxury Cruise Liner's Launch Delayed as Dozens of Ships Face Potential Safety Hazard raised the issue that as many as forty-five (45) cruise ships may be equipped with faulty fire-resistant panels manufactured by Paroc. This raises important issue of safety for the guests and crew members on ships at sea.
The cause of the Pacific Adventure cruise ship fire was apparently someone flipping a burning cigarette over the rails and into a balcony below. A smoker was also the most probable cause of the origin of deadly fire on the Star Princess cruise ship in 2006.That particular fire began on a balcony and moved into the adjacent cabin and then continued to burn throughout the ship.
The launch of a luxury cruise ship was delayed by faulty fire panels, the Financial Times reported. Sources told the FT that 45 cruise ships globally were affected by the safety fault.
The manufacturer that supplied faulty fire-resistant panels to as many as 45 ships has halted sales of its affected products, as authorities and the cruise industry raced to resolve the problem ...
The marine insurers for cruise ships which may have the faulty fire-resistant Paroc panels are demanding transparency that cruise lines / ship owners. ... (Over 40 vessels are thought to have the affected panel installed. Underwriters are not yet clear whether any vessels will need to be recalled to yards under warranty); and ... Cruise ship ...
The launch of the world's newest luxury cruise liner has been delayed because of faulty fire-resistant panels, sending shockwaves across the shipbuilding industry after it emerged dozens of ...
"Even if the panels failed a fire test, unless it was by a significant amount, the only result would be a notation on the ship's class that the panels need to be renewed "as soon as practicable ...
According to the Financial Times, the company has identified 45 ships in operation with the non-compliant panels. The planned launch in early July of the 248-metre Explora I - the world's newest luxury cruise ship due to be delivered to cruise operator MSC - was postponed at one day's notice and took place a few weeks later.
by Dori Saltzman / July 10, 2023. Last week's last-second delay of the launch of Explora I has been tied to the use of faulty fire-resistant safety panels, according to the U.K.'s Financial ...
Fire Alarm General Discussion. ConorTheFAguy6 (CJ9899) June 8, 2018, 4:21pm 1. I wanted to make this topic to discuss what kind of fire alarm systems are on cruise ships, if there are any at all. El_Chupacabra (Samuel) June 8, 2018, 5:24pm 2. I've been on many cruises and each ship was equipped with either a Consilium system or an Autronica ...
A cruise ship is complex and diverse, and a fire or gas related incident can have dramatic consequences. Read more about our cruise ship solutions. ... The fire alarm control panel is placed on the bridge. An information panel is placed in a technical room. Information/repeater panels can communicate and be powered through the detection loop.
July 2013 guidance to USCG PSCOs in response to CO2 issues. Evaluate ship's maintenance plan and inspection records. Verify crew understands normal and emergency system operation. Verify accuracy of system instructions. Examine CO2 control piping for tightness. Confirm valve operating mechanisms are functional including manual override.
On shore, while you are dialing 911, the ship's emergency response team is already being deployed and arrives on scene well before any shore based firemen. The early response times on ships are critical in containing any fire. Due to a ship's structural fire protection, we use an entirely different approach to firefighting than shorebased firemen.
It has been a month since the public learned that the fire-resistant panels used during the construction of the new Explora I cruise ship, owned by MSC Cruises and operated by Europa Journeys, failed safety certification. The Financial Times ("FT"), which broke the story, reported that a total of around forty-five cruise ships had incorporated the defective panels in their construction.
Holland America Line. Faulty panels declared a fire hazard for 45 ships. "Paroc has identified 45 boats in operation with the faulty panels, including other types of ships run by other companies, the people said. Globally, there are fewer than 300 cruise ships in operation, according to the Cruise Lines International Association, an industry ...
CLIA is the world's largest cruise industry trade association with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. Dedicated to the promotion of a safe and secure cruise ship environment, CLIA Members have no higher priority than the safety of guests and crew. With the advice and consent of its membership, CLIA advances policies intended to enhance shipboard safety ...
Luxury cruise liner's launch delayed as dozens of ships face potential safety hazard | Financial Times (ft.com) And note the fire panels that no longer meet certification are already on other ships.
omprises a modular pump unit, valves, stainless steel piping and water mist nozzles. SEM-SAFE® high-pressure water mist nozzles will activate immediately upon detecting a fire. to ensure the best possible fire protection for passengers and crew on board the ship. Having a fixed high-pressure water mist system installed in the cruise ship will ...
Fire breaks out on world's largest cruise ship
Cruise trade organization, Cruise Line International (CLIA), and the parent company of Explora Journeys, MSC Cruises, are rushing to try and minimize the fallout of The Financial Times' article that the Paroc fire-resistant panels used during the construction of the Explora I failed fire safety certifications. The highly anticipated Explora I was scheduled to be delivered on Thursday July 6 ...
American cruise ships follow either NFPA 301 or an international maritime code known as SOLAS. Cruise ships have fire fighters on board, and local sounders in rooms, which makes me think most alarms are responded to by fire fighters before evacuating the ship to deck and possibly to sea.
Do the same fire panel safety issues that delayed the launch of Explora I affect other cruise ships? We research the problem. View the full article. Jump to content. ... Cruise Food Photos Cruise Ship Photos Ports of Call Photos Towel Animal Photos Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos Top 10; Live Cruise Reports ...