At the Edge of innovation

Starting with the hull, which is devised to minimize friction when the ship is in motion, the entire vessel is designed for efficient performance. “We believe this is a change in the industrial design in the marine business,” states Staff Captain Mattaios Karandreas.

At the heart of the ship is the Valmet DNA distributed control system, which provides fully redundant onboard automation designed to handle the control and monitoring needs of the advanced Celebrity Edge. The ship also employs Valmet’s exhaust gas scrubbers.

“We have worked with Valmet since 2000 and never had any problem with cooperation. For us, it is important to have a trustworthy and reliable company to work with,” Mattaios emphasizes.

The latest and greatest in automation

Celebrity Edge is equipped with several advanced control solutions from Valmet. The Valmet DNA distributed control system (DCS) is used for the machinery system, Power Management System, Emergency Shutdown (ESD) system, HVAC and the entire public area. The newly launched Valmet DNA Sea Optimal Mode enables the most fuel-efficient use of the diesel engine plant. Users can also access event history and analyze tools through the Valmet DNA Operate Trend and Event Archive.

Chief Engineer Stavros Zannikos sees Celebrity Edge as a model project for building sister ships in the future: “The feedback can be taken to the next vessel, utilizing all the best practices.”

The automation system ensures reliable and safe sailing.

Tools for safe operation and troubleshooting

The automation system ensures reliability and safety while allowing absolute control to Chief Electrical Engineer Patrik Matos. The Valmet DNA Operate Trend and Event Archive gives him an insight into the most important areas of the ship to guarantee everything is under control.
The system allows engineers to make reports to ensure certain items are checked regularly, which adds another level of security. All the data is stored securely for reference.

Each user of the automation system can customize their own operations desktop by selecting the necessary process windows. This feature grants users easy access to the most relevant information.

“The trend history tells me a lot. I can scroll through the time range and quickly dig into the details. At the same time, you learn more about the process and are also able to draw some conclusions,” Matos says.

A safe and magical ride

One of the incredible onboard innovations is the Magic Carpet. Located outside the ship’s hull, this is a space where passengers can have dinner, listen to live music and enjoy the sea breeze.

The ship’s ESD system plays an important role in ensuring the safety of the Magic Carpet. Aboard Celebrity Edge, ESD is effectively integrated into many areas to protect equipment and people from danger or failure. Matos adds: “Our Magic Carpet is one of the areas where ESD is used for the carpet’s gates. Even when we’re offering new experiences to passengers, however, their safety is our priority.”

“I’d say these are the best scrubbers on the market,” says Staff Chief Engineer Kostas-Konstantinos Topalis.

Environmentally friendly flue gas cleaning

Celebrity Edge also employs Valmet’s exhaust gas scrubbers. Both the scrubbers are hybrid versions with open and closed loop operation. The scrubber system’s features, size and operation mode are all customized for the ship. Naturally, the Valmet DNA system is also used to track the scrubber operation. It uses the same interface, easing the burden in the engine room.

The Valmet OptiFilter water treatment system reliably cleans the scrubber washwater, without the need for additional chemicals. With the scrubbers, the vessel meets even the tightest emission requirements throughout the world.

The operation of the scrubbers can also be followed in the Valmet DNA system.

Striving toward sustainability

Sustainability at sea is one of the top concerns for Celebrity Cruises. Celebrity Edge takes the company’s efforts to interact sustainably with the environment to the next level. With numerous advanced control features from Valmet under the hood, the vessel is well on her way to reducing pollution in the environment. The transformational ship is equipped for safe and sustainable sailing across the Caribbean’s waters – and even on to the Mediterranean.

TEXT Soili Städter
PHOTOS Soili Städter and Celebrity Cruises

Article published in Forward magazine 2/2019.