Schindler Marine

Strong order growth has confirmed Schindler Marine's role as the mobility provider of choice on board a new generation of luxury ocean liners. Brand new liners decked out with Schindler elevators and escalators are continuing to emerge from the shipyards of Italy, and more are under construction.

Offering a level of luxury seldom seen on dry land, today's liners could be better described as floating palaces. The Costa Serena, launched in May 2007, is known as the "God's Ship" because her interior décor was inspired by the Gods of classical mythology.

Top architect

The largest European liner in terms of capacity, her mobility requirements are not dissimilar to that of a skyscraper - at 292 meters long, Serena requires 29 elevators and 8 escalators to serve her 3,780 guests. The elevator interiors were designed by top naval architect, Joe Farcus, who chose the theme of ancient mythology.

Serena's maiden voyage was preceded by two other similarly impressive liners launched by leading ship operator Fincantieri earlier this year: the Carnival Freedom and Emerald Princess, also both equipped by Schindler Marine.

Growing steadily

"The cruise formula is growing steadily as a holiday and entertainment option, especially for destinations in the Mediterranean," says Schindler Marine Unit Manager, Francesco Delton.

Delton estimates that the portfolio of orders at the major shipbuilders amounts to $20 billion, and that the three leading firms – Fincantieri, Aker Yards and Meyer Werft – are hard pressed to cope with all the projects currently under development.

Industry trends

He adds that the industry is evolving along two broad routes: "on the one hand, there are ships with greater and greater capacity – up to 6,000 passengers – and on other super-luxury ships of smaller dimensions".

On the "Carnival Freedom", the newest by Carnival Cruise lines, nearly 5,000 passengers (guests and crew) use 28 Schindler elevators and eight escalators to move around the 18-storey colossus, which contains five swimming pools, a 1,500-seat theatre, a casino, a disco, a fitness area, a jogging track, volleyball and basketball courts, as well as restaurants and shops.

Schindler service

Schindler engineers are already working on new generations of products for the marine environment, where the weight and size of components is reduced as much as possible and the energy efficiency of machines is optimised.

For Delton, one thing that sets Schindler Marine apart is the fact that installation and maintenance are done by the same people. "Our technicians represent the finest example of 360 degree customer service," he says.

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