Damen Shipyard Brest has won the contract to undertake a multi-million euro renovation project on board Compagnie Française de Croisières’ (CFC) recently acquired cruise ship ‘Renaissance’.
Included in the work to be carried out on board are:
– Complete sand blasting of the hull and superstructure.
– Treatment and painting of the hull and superstructure.
– Upgrading to safety and environmental standards.
– Conversion of the scrubbers (smoke washing system) from an ‘open’ to a ‘closed’ system, thus avoiding any discharge into the sea.
– Upgrading of water and ballast treatment systems – Metallurgy work (steel and aluminum).
– Renovation of public areas, cabins & suites.
‘Renaissance’ left Aigio in Greece on 28th September and arrived in Brest on 7th October.
During the positioning voyage, sea trials were carried out.
Clément Mousset and Cédric Rivoire-Perrochat, CFC co-founders, said: “Compagnie Française de Croisières is pleased that the ‘Renaissance’ refit yard is in France. Renowned for the quality and efficiency of its teams, Damen Brest has a long and recognised experience in the renovation and maintenance of cruise ships.
“As the first French cruise company to fly the French RIF flag, the choice of the shipyard also confirms CFC’s desire to establish a long-term presence in the French market by forging solid partnerships with industries and suppliers located in France,” they said.
Rogier van der Laan, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion Global Project Manager, said: “We are proud of this achievement and would like to thank CFC and Cruise Management International Miami for this partnership, and for their confidence in our ability to perform by bringing their ship to our yard.
“She will be converted to the highest standards to provide her passengers with a purely French experience.
“Damen Brest France is a well-established cruise shiprepair and conversion yard with modern facilities. It has two drydocks and several repair stations. The largest drydock measures 420 x 80 m, one of the largest in Europe, allowing the yard to accommodate almost any ship.
“The yard offers a wide range of services for all types of vessels, including cruise ships, LNG carriers, oil tankers, semi-submersibles, shuttle boats, FPSOs, offshore construction vessels, jack-up platforms, ro-ro ships and ferries. We handle standard repair projects, complex conversions and machinery space upgrades, including the installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) and Tier 3 upgrades.
“In addition, all the procedures we adopt are fully compliant with European and international standards for safety, quality and environmental protection,” he said.
‘Renaissance’ will be the first French liner to sail under the RIF flag, with Marseille as her home port and will offer cruises departing from Marseille and Le Havre.
The cruise ship was formerly the 1993-built ‘Maasdam’ before being sold to Seajets as a result of the pandemic.