Demonstrating great resilience and ingenuity, the De Hoop Shipyard overcame unprecedented challenges during the construction of Silver Origin.

Silversea Cruises prepares to take delivery of new ship Silver Origin, following a great display of resilience, determination and fine European craftsmanship from Dutch shipyard De Hoop. Despite the global lockdown, De Hoop implemented rigid safety procedures and devised ingenious ways to overcome posed challenges, including a world-first during the ship's sea trial.

200 SKILLED PROFESSIONALS GIVING 100% EFFORT

On 15 March 2020—four days after coronavirus was declared as a global pandemic—the Netherlands implemented a national lockdown, and the country ground to a halt to safeguard the health of its people. Relatively isolated in Lobith, a remote corner of the Netherlands, De Hoop shipyard offered its approximately 250 employees the option to cease working.

While many returned to their country of origin before borders closed, approximately 200 employees—mainly skilled carpenters—opted to continue, working tirelessly to apply their craftsmanship to the ship's guest suites. Many employees were accommodated in an on-site residential facility, Barge Rossini, which had a reduced capacity from 200 to 100 for safety purposes.

In addition to the rigorous protocol imposed by the Dutch health authority, RIVM, De Hoop's professionals were protected by hygiene procedures developed by the shipyard itself;: they underwent daily temperature checks; enhanced cleaning procedures were established in the living quarters, the crew mess, and throughout Silver Origin; and strict social distancing measures were implemented, including a 1.5m separation rule and a one-way system throughout the ship.

As a result, contact circles were reduced, meetings were cancelled, and fewer people were allowed in each area of the ship. Video calls replaced face-to-face conversations, as flights were cancelled and contractors could no longer reach the yard. Necessary supplies were cut off: carpeting, loose furniture and the onboard art collection were delayed in arriving, while the closure of Italy disrupted the installation of the ship's windows and galley.

The shipyard fundamentally changed the way it operated to continue the project. The team maintained an unwaveringly strong spirit as Silver Origin took its magnificent shape, symbolising the resilience and craftsmanship of European industry.

REMOTELY OPERATED SEA TRIALS – PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF ENGINEERING 

While shallow waters on the Waal River delayed Silver Origin's float out from November to 30 December 2019, the months of January and February this year brought heavy rain to Western Europe, leading to unusually high water levels. This prevented Silver Origin and Barge Rossini from passing beneath the 12 bridges that separate De Hoop Shipyard from the sea. Only on 26 March was a safe passage to Rotterdam accessible—more than a month later than originally planned. This left just four weeks between arrival in Rotterdam and the sea trial.

Held from 27-29 April off the coast of Goeree-Overflakkee, Silver Origin's sea trials were a great success, offering the Captain the chance to put the ship through its paces and enabling the shipyard to demonstrate proper operation of the machinery systems.

Necessitated by the travel ban, which prevented sub-contractors from reaching the ship, Silver Origin's sea trials included a historic world-first: during the dynamic positioning acceptance test - which tests the ship's ability to remain within 10cm of a fixed point without dropping anchor - the ship's dynamic positioning system was remotely tuned and calibrated by a third party in St. Petersburg, Russia—over 1,800km away. A fast internet connection was set up on board to enable near-instant communication between both parties and, using a headset and a camera, an operative from St. Petersburg completed manoeuvring tests. The ship's Captain, meanwhile, acted as his lookout from on board.

“This was the first time such an operation has been completed remotely during a sea trial,” says Fre Drenth, the Director of De Hoop Shipyard. “The tuning was successful and took no longer than usual. It demonstrates that it is possible to tune dynamic positioning systems remotely. It could potentially save a lot of travelling time for engineers in the future. I am enormously proud of my team for their work.”

“We usually have a large team that participates in the sea trials, but this year was different because of the extraordinary situation,” says Vesa Uuttu, Director of Newbuilds & Site Office NL, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Hence, a limited team participated—enough to comply with regulations. It was a proud moment to see the ship perform as it did—for all involved, especially the team at the De Hoop Shipyard who have worked tirelessly to complete the project in these tough circumstances.”

THE FINISHING TOUCHES

“We are so grateful to the professionals at the De Hoop shipyard,” says Roberto Martinoli, Silversea's President and CEO. “In the face of such adversity, their efforts were extraordinary and represent the resilience of European industry. Silver Origin looks magnificent. Our pioneering new ship represents the dawning of a new age of travel in the Galapagos Islands and we look forward to welcoming guests aboard when the time is right.”

The finishing touches are now being applied to Silver Origin, ahead of the ship's delivery in the coming weeks. Moreover, the De Hoop team is still finding innovative ways to progress, in spite of the challenging circumstances. Currently docked in Pernis in the Netherlands, Silver Origin will set sail for the Galapagos Islands after delivery to Silversea Cruises. Fourty-five members of De Hoop's workforce remain on Barge Rossini, and the shipyard intends on maintaining their strict new hygiene protocols for the long-term.

Silversea Cruises is using this time of pause, as well as the information that has become available, to improve its already exceptional hygiene standards further still, with the health and safety of guests and crew as the top priority. The cruise line is currently working on enhanced hygiene protocols across its fleet to ensure that all necessary precautions are in place to resume safe and healthy cruising when the time is right.

Read a first-person account from the Director of De Hoop Shipyard, Fre Drenth, and watch a video of Silver Origin underway: 

https://discover.silversea.com/on-board/building-silver-origin

Find out more information on Silver Origin and view the ship's scheduled voyages: 

https://www.silversea.com/ships/silver-origin.html

View Silver Origin's media kit, including key information, quirky facts, images, and videos: 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1c5nkcwudk27ofh/AAAc8oI08RXOFvnJxddK4Duya?dl=0

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About Silversea Cruises:

Silversea Cruises, in which Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio serves as Executive Chairman, is recognised as an innovator in the ultra-luxury cruise line industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, Silver Spirit and Silver Muse – all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the expedition ships Silver Explorer, Silver Galapagos, and Silver Cloud, Silversea's itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, both Polar Regions and hundreds of fascinating destinations in between. Silversea is also looking forward to the launch of five new ultra-luxury ships: Silver Moon, Silver Dawn, Silver Origin, and two Evolution-class ships. Silversea is also looking forward to the launch of five new ultra-luxury ships: Silver Moon, Silver Dawn, Silver Origin, and two Evolution-class ships. Browse Silversea's new blog Discover and subscribe to receive the latest content directly into your inbox.

In Asia Pacific, Silversea was voted "Best Luxury Small Ship Cruise Line" by Australia's Luxury Travel & Style Magazine every consecutive year from 2006 to 2012 and Silver Whisper or Silver Shadow won the Gold Award as “Best Small Cruise Ship” in each of those years. Silversea has also won similar awards from readers of Australia's Cruise Passenger Magazine, including “Best Expedition Cruise Ship” (Silver Explorer) 2013, “Best Luxury Cruise Line” 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016 & 2019 and “Best Luxury Cruise Ship” (Silver Shadow) 2010, 2011 and 2012. In 2017, 2018 & 2019, Silversea was voted “Best Luxury Ocean Cruise Line” at Luxury Travel Magazine's Gold List Awards, and in 2017, received the award for “Most Innovative Itinerary – Cruise” at the 29th annual Virtuoso® Awards. In 2018, Silver Galapagos won “Best Overall Ship”, “Best Shore Excursions”, and “Best Value” in the annual Cruise Critic Cruisers Choice Awards, and Silversea was recognised as “Best for Luxury” in Cruise Critic's 2019 Editor's Choice awards. 

In 2018 & 2019 Silversea won the “Best Luxury Expedition” ships category in the Signature Luxury Travel & Style Awards.

Media Enquiries:

Leanne Fonagy

Director of Communications, Events & Partnerships – Asia Pacific

Silversea Cruises

P: +61 0419 918 402

E: leannef@silversea.com