BSM Cruise Services has formed a joint venture with the Hurtigruten Group for the provision of technical and crewing related services to their expedition fleet.
Together with Rescompany, BSM Cruise Services now can offer a one source ship management software covering both, full technical and hotel management.
After more than a year’s standstill due to COVID-19, the cruise industry is gradually reopening. However, the current pandemic and changing demands call for new ways to conduct cruises in the future. Service providers in the industry must adapt to strengthen their competitiveness and to ensure continuous sustainable growth. Ship managers and their unique expertise will play a crucial role, dealing with the operational aspects of running ships for owners as they diversify their product range. Over the last year, BSM has been growing its footprint at this juncture aiming to offer innovative solutions and an enhanced customer experience as cruise liner operators bounce back from the global pandemic impact.
Ushering in expedition cruises with Hurtigruten
With the return to service of many cruise ships, some companies like Hurtigruten are already looking ahead and gearing up to increase capabilities and address trends through strategic partnerships. Aiming to capitalize on the anticipated demand in expedition cruises in the post-COVID-19 era, the world’s leading adventure travel group decided to team up with BSM Cruise Services as an experienced maritime partner with technical management expertise to help them continuously grow in this cruise segment.
In BSM Cruise Services, Hurtigruten has found a strong partner deeply rooted in the maritime industry, with a far-reaching global network, proven processes, and systems as well as technical expertise. Together, the two companies established in February the Hurtigruten Technical Services to act as the dedicated technical operations organisation managing Hurtigruten’s fleet of expedition cruise ships.
Headquartered in Hamburg and with offices in Manila and Mumbai, Hurtigruten Technical Services now has six ships under management. The joint venture is led by Frank Oertel as Managing Director of Hurtigruten Technical Services. He is also the Director of Operations for BSM Cruise Services.
Going from strength to strength with Resco
The Schulte Group recently acquired hospitality software solutions firm Rescompany. As a developer of ship-to-shore hospitality software solutions and web applications, Rescompany (Resco) has built unique competences that highly complement the Group’s digital strengths. While Resco will continue to go to the market as a distinct brand, the software company and BSM Cruise Services, the dedicated cruise services arm of BSM, will leverage synergies and combine resources under the Schulte Group umbrella to fulfil the digital needs of the cruise industry.
Cruise operators are on the lookout for fully integrated web-based solutions to reduce complexities and allow seamless data exchange and communication among crew members at sea and on shore, as well as with external partners. By interfacing Resco with smartPAL, MariApps Marine Solution’s maritime software suite, the Schulte Group will be able to offer an unrivalled product to the industry and allow the customers of BSM Cruise Services to achieve greater efficiency and accuracy when it comes to daily operations.
