Schulte Group expands cruise sector capabilities: BSM Cruise Services has formed a joint venture with the Hurtigruten Group
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.
Together with Rescompany, BSM Cruise Services now can offer a one source ship management software covering both, full technical and hotel management.
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.
(BSM Cruise Services, Hurtigruten, Rescompany)
