DNV has announced the launch of a new cruise center based in its London offices. The new center will strengthen DNV’s support for cruise owners, operators, ports and yards throughout Europe and beyond.

“Cruise is changing fast, with greener fuels, new propulsion systems, advanced digital tools and more complex and demanding regulations setting new expectations,” said Alberto Manfredini, head of London Cruise Center.

“This means that, as DNV, we need new ways of making sure our customers can access the services they require in the way they need them. The London Cruise Center is about providing the best of our global technical network and proven cruise expertise under one roof,” added Manfredini.

“Our customers here will get a single, local point of contact backed by world-class specialists, working hand in hand.”

“We are expanding our footprint in a way that keeps customers closer to the experts they need,” said Robert Galinski, DNV’s global business director for cruise.

“The center is designed to foster collaboration. This is a model we have pioneered in our Miami Center, providing turnkey services for our customers in Europe, so we can be in the same time zone, even the same room when critical decisions need to be made, helping our customers tackle complexity and stay a step ahead,” added Galinski.

The company said in a press release that the cruise line center will provide local, time-zone-aligned support alongside DNV’s global technical capabilities and competencies across the cruise value chain.

According to DNV, cruise line operators are growing their footprint in the UK, with forward-looking owners and operators focused on:

• Innovation and modernization through new construction designs
• The rapid adoption of alternative fuels, and
• The implementation of energy-efficiency measures, digital integration, safety and cyber resilience.

As a result, the UK is emerging as one of the world’s most important hubs for the market.

The London Cruise Center expands DNV’s global cruise network, bringing experts closer to customers across the UK and Europe and supporting stakeholders in managing the increasing complexity of the industry’s transformation, the press release said.

It will also help accelerate decarbonization and digitalization while enabling efficient, compliant newbuilding and in-service operations.

DNV added that the new center will offer a coordinated suite of services that can be delivered locally or in close collaboration with technical teams in Europe, North America and Asia.