In response to growth in the inland waterwaty cruising market, De Hoop's Lobith shipyard has recently expanded its repair and service facilities.
This year De Hoop Shiprepair anticipates an impressive series of vessels to visit the yard for major or minor modifications. Amongst the line-up are: River Discovery II, River Navigator, Bizet, River Melody, River Harmony, River Rhapsody and River Concerto as well as the Amadeus Symphony, Amadeus Classic, Amadeus Princess, Amadeus Diamond, Amadeus Elegant and Amadeus Brilliant. Services vary from maintenance and repair works to complete interior refits as well as conversions or installing new equipment such as engines, thrusters or sewage treatment systems and water makers.
Many conversions are initiated in response to the growing focus on the environment and the revision of various rules and regulations in this regard. For example, the regulations regarding sewage treatment are gradually increasing, thus requirements to fit more substantial sewage plants on board vessels have become necessary. For De Hoop this presents interesting challenges in upgrading grey and black water systems on board these river cruise vessels.
This growing demand in the market has already triggered various styling and interior refits as well, leading to interesting contributions to De Hoops refit order book. For example, the River Navigator will get all the passenger cabins completely refitted with a new interior, whilst on the Amadeus Classic the windows of the passenger cabins will be enlarged to ‘French balconies’. While the steelworkers are modifying the structure and preparing the vessel for outfitting, De Hoop’s interior department is preparing the new interiors.