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Flowing cooperation
Involved early on in the design process, KONE helped
Norwegian achieve a balance of on-board people flow
solutions – enough to deliver efficiency, but not at the
expense of valuable space. Unique software meets
complex logistical needs, such as disembarkation,
food service and laundry.
“Customized programs linking passenger elevators in
groups create highly efficient people flow in compact
quarters,” says
Georgios Mavrelis
, Norwegian’s Fleet
Electrical Director. A designated gangway button, for
instance, delivers passengers directly to the appropriate
deck, eliminating bottlenecks during disembarkation.
Planning is also what set KONE apart in this project.
Construction schedules are particularly critical in the
shipbuilding industry. All service elevators must be
completed two months before the ship is released for
delivery; while passenger elevators must be completed
one month in advance of delivery. KONE worked closely
with the shipyard to ensure all schedules were met.
“We know we can count on KONE to meet these
deadlines,” says
Hanno Buss,
shipbuilder Meyer Werft
Project Manager (Outfitting).
“KONE has a separate project unit specifically for elevator
and escalator solutions in marine applications, and that
resource is invaluable. Through extensive collaboration
between KONE and our shipyard, we are able to meet
the challenges of an expanding shipyard, larger vessels
and tight deadlines.”
Attention to detail
Cruise ship elevators can make as many as one million
starts a year, nearly one every 30 seconds. To ensure
consistent performance in a 24/7 environment, KONE
uses local installation crews who specialize in marine
installations.
KONE Regional Director
Jörn Wienholz
notes, “Norwegian’s
operational staff knows we understand their needs and they
trust us to provide elevators that are dependable and easy
to service, even in the middle of the ocean.”
Such reliability is complemented by eco-efficiency. Industry-
leading KONE technology delivers reduced fuel consumption,
an important concern in a highly competitive industry. Through
the use of regenerative drives, excess energy is converted into
electricity that is returned to the ship’s power grid, generating
expected energy savings of more than 250,000 Kwh per year.
Accommodating nearly 6,000 passengers and crew on seven-day cruises out of Miami, USA, the Getaway is a
triumph of technology and efficiency. In the marine industry, reliability is the gold standard. KONE delivers on
this through on-time delivery and relentless commitment to quality.