A new portable walkway allows easy movement of passengers
Seawalk is touted to have little or no environmental impact
Every new major invention that comes along is viewed with some skepticism in this space until it is proven. That was true with all the hype surrounding Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world at that time. Did the ship match the hype? In that case, it did.
Usually technology is not the mandate of Ports and Bows. The column is designed to keep you informed about ports to visit, unique cruises, new ships, pricing, ships designed for all demographics … well, you get the idea.
Every once in a while, something unique comes along. For example, the “something unique” in this column — if it’s successful and if the item I’m about to describe can do what inventors claim it can do — could eliminate a lot of tendering. It could also open up newer ports for less than 50 per cent of what is currently being spent on port infrastructure, and could be ready to go in nine months, rather than two years.
This invention is called SeaWalk. Many experts in the cruise industry are looking at Seawalk and its Norwegian heritage, which is loaded with architects and engineers who have worked on some of the most well- known ships.
While it’s unique, Seawalk is quite simple. Yet, considering where ships now have to tender, or where ports are difficult to build, Seawalk may be the answer. This portable walkway reaches out to a ship, like a gangway to a plane, only on water. The ship backs into port, is attached at the bow to a fixed buoy, and is locked onto two bollards at the stern. Seawalk then expands across the water, from shore to the nearest passenger exit, and is secured in short order, with space for passengers to walk to and from the ship throughout the day — with little or no environmental impact.
That last promise comes from Phil Crannell, president of Ports and Maritime Group International, and the man who will be selling it in North and South America.
According to him: “It’s so innovative in moving passengers that I liken it to the first moving gangways that entered service in the port of Los Angeles in the ’ 60s. The technology is suitable only for ports that have a protected ingress, and adequate water depth for a ship to come close to shore.”
Although they have no financial interest in the company, Carnival Corporation has shown interest in Seawalk. Carnival Corp.’ s Giora Israel saw the potential for Seawalk, and is making experts from his company’s operations and nautical teams available to offer advice on its development.
With the first ship expected to make official use of SeaWalk in August, that’s when we will start to find out how paying passengers feel about using it to come and go during their day in port.