MORE than 40 cruise ships are potentially sailing the world’s oceans without required certifications for onboard fire insulating panels, after products from a key supplier failed recent safety tests. The issue is believed to be behind the abrupt cancellation of the maiden voyage of Explora Journeys’ new Explora I (pictured)...
MORE than 40 cruise ships are potentially sailing the world’s oceans without required certifications for onboard fire insulating panels, after products from a key supplier failed recent safety tests.
The issue is believed to be behind the abrupt cancellation of the maiden voyage of Explora Journeys’ new Explora I (pictured) (CW 07 Jul) which had been due for handover by shipbuilder Fincantieri last week.
The Financial Times reported fire insulation panel manufacturer Paroc has informed Fincantieri two types of its panels have lost their safety certifications.
This will mean Explora I will stay at the shipyard for a few more weeks for remedial work.
The faulty panels have been installed in 45 cruise ships, with Paroc a key supplier to both Fincantieri and Meyer Werft, which manufacture vessels for Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group, Virgin Voyages, MSC, and more.
It’s unclear which vessels are impacted at this stage, but at least one ship sailing for Carnival Corp and MSC’s new MSC Euribia (CW 13 Jun) are believed to have the uncertified panels fitted.
Explora Chief Executive Michael Ungerer told travel advisors the shipbuilder had “identified a critical issue that must receive immediate attention”.
“Certain materials from a third-party supplier do not meet the required safety certifications and we therefore could not take delivery of the ship as planned,” he said.
The panel certifications were issued in 2020 and had been due to expire in 2025, with the Financial Times saying it is unclear why fresh tests were conducted this year.
Under European Union safety regulations, new panels cannot be fitted on ships until the correct safety certification is in place, although ships already sailing did hold the required registrations at the time that they launched.
Global regulator the International Maritime Organisation said the determination of whether vessels are fit to sail is up to the nations where individual ships are flagged.
