Getxo, April 23, 2018 – OLIVER DESIGN, a naval design and architecture company based in Getxo (Vizcaya), will be present at the upcoming Navalia trade fair, to be held in Vigo from May 22 to 24, with its own stand showcasing its history and latest projects. The company's most recent work includes state-of-the-art vessels for sectors ranging from workboats to luxury cruise ships, as well as refurbishments of existing vessels.
OLIVER DESIGN is a regular participant in this biennial event, which has become a leading gathering for the international shipbuilding industry, bringing together some 25,000 professionals from around the world interested in learning about the latest industry developments and establishing contacts and closing business deals.
The company's stand will reflect its nearly three decades of experience in the design and outfitting of all types of vessels, as well as showcase its most recent projects and in-house developments from its R&D department.
Among the Spanish firm's most recent projects is the one destined to become one of the most unique ships of 2018: the luxury cruise ship "Scenic Eclipse," launched on January 31st and scheduled for its maiden voyage at the end of August. This pioneering project combines high-end tourism with the opportunity to explore pristine landscapes and extreme natural environments, such as the Arctic and Antarctic coasts and the ocean floor. Equipped with features like a helicopter, a small submarine, and inflatable boats, it offers 228 berths distributed among 114 luxury suites and incorporates the latest innovations in naval design and technology.
Before the world's first exploration cruise ship begins operations, its owner—the Australian company Scenic—has reaffirmed its commitment to this innovative tourism offering and to OLIVER DESIGN's suitability to handle the architectural design and exterior of a second superyacht. This vessel will feature similar characteristics, albeit with smaller dimensions (130 berths) and even more exclusive features than the first.
Another project that stands out among OLIVER DESIGN's ongoing contracts is the design and outfitting of a support vessel for a luxury yacht, a catamaran being built at the Armón shipyards in Lugo.
Fishing sector
Proof of the company's versatility lies in the fact that several of its current projects fall within a sector completely unrelated to leisure travel, namely the fishing industry. In this regard, it recently signed a contract for the turnkey design and outfitting of a tuna vessel for the Bermeo-based shipowner Echebastar, to be built at the Zamakona Shipyard in Santurce (Vizcaya). This freezer trawler, destined for the Indian Ocean fisheries, will be named "Campolibre Alai" and will be equipped with state-of
-the-art technology.
In the same fishing sector, OLIVER DESIGN is currently working on the turnkey interior outfitting of the “Norwegian Gannet,” having also designed its unique interiors. These include a high-quality workspace with double and single cabins for the crew, as well as a spacious mess hall, lounges, changing rooms, a gym with a sauna, and a cinema room that can also be used as a meeting room. On deck B, there is a conference room with a bar and lounge area, tastefully decorated and intended for both the crew and for occasionally hosting potential
clients and distributors. The project also includes outfitting the bridge and part of the fish processing facilities.
This first collaborative project between OLIVER DESIGN and Astilleros Balenciaga is set to become an international benchmark in the factory ship segment, thanks to its innovations in design, capacity, and energy efficiency. Upon delivery, the shipowner also has the option to order a second vessel with the same specifications, intended to operate in the same salmon farms in the North Sea.
Fast and environmentally friendly ferries and catamarans for offshore platforms
In another category of workboats, OLIVER DESIGN has completed the architectural design of four Eco Fast Ferries built by the Gondán shipyards, after winning the design competition launched by Baleària. The first of the four planned vessels, capable of carrying 350 passengers and reaching a speed of 28 knots, has already been incorporated into the Ibiza-Formentera route and stands out for its innovative design, eco-efficiency, and use of state-of-the-art materials. This vessel has been selected by AINE (Spanish Association of Naval Engineers) as one of the candidates for the 2017 Outstanding Ship of the Year award.
The naval architecture firm also delivered in 2017 the turnkey project for two high-speed, twin catamarans, built by the Armón Group and intended to service offshore oil platforms off the Angolan coast. The work included the interior architecture of their main decks, as well as the bridge and the two hulls housing the passenger and crew quarters. The two catamarans are made of aluminum and measure 57 meters in length and 12 meters in beam. Weight limitations for this type of vessel and noise reduction were key considerations in the selection of materials, furnishings, and surface treatments.
Ferry renovations
Among the most recent projects undertaken by the Getxo-based company, the refurbishment of four Trasmediterránea vessels stands out: the “Superfast Galicia” – renamed “Ciudad de Ibiza” after its refurbishment – the “Juan J. Sister”, the “Fortuny”, and the “Sorolla”. The turnkey refurbishment and rehabilitation work also presented a logistical challenge, as it was carried out while the ships were in operation. The work on the “Ciudad de Ibiza” was particularly noteworthy, involving a complete remodeling and modernization of the
vessel in record time, including the outfitting of over 1,000 square meters of facilities. The work was completed in just 20 days while the ship was sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, which required a complex operation to coordinate the various tasks.
Regarding the “Fortuny” and the “Sorolla,” the Trasmediterránea ferries that connect Melilla with Málaga and Almería respectively, the improvements in both cases have consisted of a complete renovation of the cabins, the addition of a new lounge and bar at the stern, as well as a food lounge offering passengers a wide and varied gastronomic selection. The shop has also been remodeled, and a new children's area has been added.
R&D Department
In addition to working on specific projects under contract for shipyards and shipowners worldwide, OLIVER DESIGN maintains an active development program for its own innovative projects through its R&D department. These initiatives connect the naval sector with leisure activities, based on the premise of striking and innovative design, adapted to their potential final locations. These projects include floating theme parks or beached structures shaped like ships, which could accommodate a wide variety of activities, including gastronomy, sports, culture, retail spaces, nightlife, water parks, spas, and aquariums, among others.
