Kongsberg Maritime is set to supply its Aquarius (retractable stabilizers) for Chesapeake Shipbuilding's newest cruise ships, continuing a 15-year collaboration between the two companies. These stabilizers will be installed on new vessels commissioned by ACL-American Cruise Lines, aiming to improve passenger comfort during voyages along the USA's Eastern Seaboard.
The Aquarius stabilizers are designed to provide high-performance roll damping and feature a compact, lightweight design. They incorporate advanced control systems and a one-piece high-lift fin, making them particularly suitable for smaller vessels. Their design facilitates seamless integration with ship alarm and monitoring systems, and they come equipped with a fin-box and necessary local stiffening for straightforward installation at shipyards.
Chesapeake Shipbuilding, with over three decades of experience in constructing commercial ships up to 450 feet in length, specializes in passenger vessels, tugboats, and ferry boats. The shipyard is currently building the American Patriot, American Pioneer, American Maverick, and American Ranger for American Cruise Lines. These vessels are expected to commence operations in June 2025, each accommodating 130 guests in staterooms with private balconies and a deck of suites.
Steven McGee, President of Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp., acknowledged the consistent quality of Kongsberg Maritime's products, noting their engineering department's accurate computational fluid dynamic resistance results and the ease of incorporating their structural designs into vessel plans. He also commended the on-site technicians for their performance during commissioning and maintenance periods, indicating an expectation for Kongsberg Maritime to remain integral to the company's growth.
Paul Crawford, Sales Director at Kongsberg Maritime, emphasized the significance of effective stabilization systems on cruise vessels, expressing pride in contributing to a comfortable and smooth sailing experience for American Cruise Lines' guests through the deployment of Aquarius retractable stabilizers.
This partnership underscores the ongoing commitment of both Kongsberg Maritime and Chesapeake Shipbuilding to enhancing maritime travel experiences through technological innovation and collaboration.