Wallem Shipping China (Wallem Ship Agency) handled the call earlier this month of the Viking Sun (see also CruiseMapper) to Shanghai on its inaugural 2018 Viking World Cruise.
The ship docked on Shanghai’s historic Bund where it was the star of an elaborate christening ceremony. Ahead of the call, the Wallem China team helped to coordinate a meeting between Viking and SIPG cruise terminal, resulting in a reduction in the charge for the event space hire at the terminal. As Viking’s port agent for China, the Wallem team took care of all the logistics of the call including but not limited to arranging fresh water supply, customs formalities, crew changes and the disembarkation and embarkation of passengers.
General Manager of Wallem Ship Agency China Pony Chen says, “All arrangements were finalised ahead of time thanks to the team’s hard work and close coordination. However, on the evening the ship was due to arrive, high winds forced the port to close and the call was in jeopardy. My team urgently contacted the Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) VTS and pilot center and negotiated a plan B – for the ship to pick up the pilot at the inner position of channel. A Wallem clerk also spent the whole night at the MSA VTS centre to ensure smooth operations.”
Thanks to the team’s resolve, the ship was able to take her place at the berth for the festivities, much to the relief of Viking Cruise’s Senior Operation Manager, Nicolai Skogland who said,
“Thank you to Wallem for a great inaugural call to China and a couple of fantastic days for our guests, visitors and staff during the naming ceremony call of our Viking Sun.”
Caption: General Manager of Wallem Ship Agency China Pony Chen presenting the Captain of the Viking Sun with flowers and a book on Shanghai to welcome the vessel to the city.
On March 8, 2018, during the inaugural 2018 Viking World Cruise, Viking Cruises' fourth ocean vessel was officially named on Shanghai’s historic Bund. Viking Sun’s stop in Shanghai marks the first time a Viking ocean ship has called in China, and the first time a cruise ship is named on the Bund.
About Wallem Ship Agency
With a network of 28 agency offices across Asia, including 8 owned offices in China, Wallem Ship Agency is well positioned to offer a range of reliable and efficient cruise agency services. Wallem handles more than 500 cruise calls per year in the region and as part of the Wallem Group, offers a range of support services including dry dock support, newbuilding supervision and lifeboat servicing and Testing (under Group company, SeaSafe Marine). Click here for information about Wallem Ship Agency Cruise Ship Services and more.
Source: Wallem