T Mariotti unveils methanol dual-fuel cruise ship

T Mariotti has scooped a contract with Aman Group and Cruise Saudi for Aman at Sea - a cruise ship pioneering several firsts. 

It is the first cruise ship for Aman Group, which has 35 hotels, resorts and branded residents across 20 destinations. 

T Mariotti chief executive Marco Ghiglione explains it is the “world’s first convergence between an ultra-luxury ship and a private yacht”.

He says, “This concept is a step ahead and has not been done by anybody else. It is 183 m, a similar size to other top cruise vessels that we have built, but only accommodates 100 passengers in 50 suites, which is less than half of the people carried by a standard cruise vessel of a similar size. There will be an extremely high ratio between guests and crew members. The suites are larger, and the decks higher compared with a standard cruise vessel of a similar size.”

All the suites will have private balconies and the vessel will be home to an array of dining options, including an informal all-day restaurant, international dining options, a relaxed club and lounge, a serene and spacious Aman Spa complete with Japanese garden, two helipads, plus the expansive Beach Club, which will offer guests direct access to the water at the stern.

The vessel also stands out as it will be the first cruise ship to run on methanol. The ship will have a diesel-electric-methanol dual-fuel system and will include batteries to perform in hybrid mode too. 

Mr Ghiglione says the ship is being built to use both methanol and marine diesel oil during the operation. A particular challenge, he says, is while there are currently rules for building a methanol-powered ship, common bunkering criteria procedures in Italy are not yet defined. 

“Therefore, we have to start with a particular assessment with Lloyd’s Register [which is classing the ship], and they are helping with everything related safety and fuel during to the construction of the ship.” 

As well as working closely with Lloyd’s Register, Mr Ghiglione unveils that Wärtsilä will provide dual-fuel 32 engines. Contractors include electrotechnical specialists Ortec Santamaria and luxury yacht outfitters De Wave Group, who will bring to life the vision of appointed designers SINOT Yacht Architecture & Design. SINOT usually works within the yacht business, so will bring that perspective to the project. 

A unique selling point of the yard when it comes to this type of project, says Mr Ghiglione, is “We have the flexibility bigger yards don’t have. Aman came out to see us with its idea and we are building the ship they want. Our organisation can be more adaptable with this kind of project.” 

Aman at Sea is expected to launch in 2027, while construction is due to commence later in March this year. 

T Mariotti has an emphasis on delivering prototypes. Before Aman at Sea, it delivered first-in-class Seabourn Venture in 2022, followed by Seabourn Pursuit last year. 

And it is building a special diving operations and submersible rescue ship prototype for the Italian Navy. 

T Mariotti is part of Genova Industrie Navali, one of the largest private players in the shipbuilding and ship repair sector in the Mediterranean. Under this umbrella are several companies that span outfitting, interiors, electrical, repair and conversion both for commercial vessels both for megayachts. 

“Our group is very flexible, and we can find synergies among the other companies within the group,” sums up Mr Ghiglione.