Passenger elevators have an important influence on customer experience on board cruise ships. After all, nobody likes waiting a long time for a lift, especially during peak periods when they are on their way to dinner, going to see a show, or planning to go ashore on an excursion.
Over the years marine elevator manufacturers have honed the physical elements of the technology so that contemporary elevators are quick, comfortable, and energy efficient. They often provide a visually striking enhancement to the cruise vessel’s design, too. More recently the focus has moved towards developing the software that controls marine elevators, to ensure they perform in a way that more fully meets the requirements of both the passenger and the ship operator.
Kone is one of the market leaders in this sector. A key aim of its research and development programme during the last few years has been to harness the onboard software that measures the vertical traffic flows of passengers and crew. Jarkko Pekkala, head of marine sales, explains: “These fact-based calculations, using genuine onboard data from our equipment together with traffic simulations, help shipyards and shipowners to establish the minimum number of elevators required for each vessel.
“That means a potentially better return on investment for our customers, as each newbuilding has the right amount of equipment, and ships in service enjoy reduced maintenance costs. It also leads to more satisfied end users who spend less time waiting and more time enjoying what is on offer.”
The company is continuing to develop software with the aim of cutting unnecessary waiting times still further for cruise ship passengers. “We have solutions which improve the efficiency of the vertical transportation process during peak times of the day and, especially, during embarkation and disembarkation,” says Mr Pekkala. “For example, elevators can be commanded to serve certain decks during different times of the day, eliminating long waiting times in the lobbies.”
Working in collaboration with customers, Kone has developed a number of special modes, including a ‘gangway button’ solution, so that passengers do not need to know the deck on which the gangway is located for each port of call. Mr Pekkala adds: “We have also made progress towards developing intelligent elevators, where special software will automatically detect where elevators are most needed and instruct them to serve those specific decks. These new generation elevators are currently being tested on board some of the world’s largest passenger vessels.”
Italy-headquartered Schindler Marine is another leading supplier of passenger elevators for cruise ships and it is similarly focusing on improving software solutions. In particular the company has recently introduced new technology called PORT (personal occupant requirement terminal), which is configured to manage passenger flow more efficiently as well as improving transit times and energy efficiency. It is understood that Schindler is negotiating a potential first order for PORT on a cruise ship, for an undisclosed customer.
With PORT, instead of pushing a button and waiting for the first available elevator, passengers select their destination on the PORT touch screen terminal in the lobby. They are then directed to the elevator which will take the fastest, most direct route to their required deck, reducing the number of intermediate stops that are made with a conventional system.
Marine unit manager Fabio Lavezzi says: “This destination control approach relies on the principle that if a passenger knows their destination before they enter the elevator, people travelling to the same floor can be assigned to the same car, minimising the number of stops that each has to make. Cars return to the lobby quicker to pick up more passengers and overall handling efficiency is improved.” There are other benefits that derive from PORT. In particular, reducing the number of times the elevator starts and stops leads to a significant reduction in energy consumption.
The PORT technology also has safety advantages. Mr Lavezzi points out: “Evacuation procedures are of extreme importance to cruise operators and elevators could play an important role in completing evacuations in a timely and orderly manner. PORT technology can be set up to give passengers clear instructions, ensuring that anyone approaching the elevator is informed about what to do and where to go, by indicating the nearest emergency exit or staircase.”
Both Kone and Schindler have benefitted from the upturn in cruise ship orders that has been evident in recent years. It has recently been confirmed, for example, that Kone will equip the fourth in Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis series of vessels, which is due for delivery in 2018. The company will deliver a total of 42 elevators and two escalators, including 24 energy efficient Kone MiniSpace passenger elevators, 12 of which will have scenic glass cabins, four MiniSpace service elevators and 13 MonoSpace service elevators.
All of the elevators on this Oasis vessel will feature regenerative drives that supply energy back to the ship’s main electricity supply networks. The order also includes two TravelMaster galley escalators and three Motala MC 2000 platforms for people with limited mobility.
Other notable contracts in hand for Kone include equipment for two Genting Hong Kong cruise vessels building for Star Cruises, four ships for TUI Cruises, two for Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC and one each for Silversea, Seaborne and Princess Cruises. Kone is also currently in the process of delivering solutions for the Oasis 3 newbuilding.
As a result of its extensive orderbook, Kone is working with all of the major cruise shipbuilding yards, including Meyer Werft, Fincantieri and STX France. Mr Pekkala notes: “The time allocated to building vessels at the shipyards is reducing, while the ships are getting bigger and bigger. A key challenge is getting the elevator equipment installed and commissioned in a controlled way to ensure that delivery is on time.”
In response to this trend Kone, which has dedicated teams at the main shipyards, has now further refined its installation procedures to address the more challenging construction environment. “This has been greatly welcomed by the yards as it enables smooth installation processes that are completely integrated with the yard’s own way of working,” adds Mr Pekkala.
Schindler is also busy with a number of cruise ship projects. Last year the company supplied 33 elevators, four escalators and two platforms for people with disabilities to Costa Diadema at Fincantieri, as well as 29 elevators and four platforms for people with disabilities for Quantum of the Seas, delivered to Royal Caribbean by Meyer Werft.
Schindler is working on a number of other newbuilding projects at present and many of these contracts feature elevators with new energy saving features. In particular the company has developed and is introducing on new ships a frequency converter, incorporating its Power Factor 1 technology, which recovers energy during elevator speed variations and feeds it back to the mains. Schindler has also introduced gearless machines with permanent magnets, which reduce both energy consumption and noise levels.
Passenger movement within cruise ships is primarily achieved by elevators or escalators, but novel solutions can be required as operators introduce new attractions. In one such example MacGregor, part of the Cargotec group, has supplied Quantum of the Seas with a crane and observation gondola called the North Star. This can transport guests 91m above sea level to give them panoramic views of the ship, sea and ports of call.
The North Star’s 7.1 tonne gondola can accommodate 14 guests and one crew member. A stabilising system ensures that it remains level with regard to the vessel’s deck, and will also dampen gondola movements, providing a comfortable ride.
The system is designed with a high degree of redundancy as it has two separate power units, each large enough to drive the crane in reduced speed mode. Additional safety features include automatic cut outs and safety valve overload protection on all crane motions.
The North Star viewing platform is controlled using a separate programmable logic controller safety system in addition to a MacGregor CC3000 crane control system. The CC3000 can be adjusted using a laptop computer to set different parameters and to make sure that crane movements are smooth, and guests are comfortable. It features step-less speed control. PST
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