ms Koningsdam passes sea trails as launch approaches

Holland America Line’s ms Koningsdam returned to Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard earlier after successfully completing two sets of sea trials off the Italian coast.

Koningsdam left Marghera on January 2nd and performed the first set of sea trials over three days before going into dry dock at Fincantieri’s Trieste shipyard, where standard hull maintenance was performed.

The ship then sailed its second sea, making its way back to Marghera, where the finishing touches will be completed.

Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line president, said: “Koningsdam is a new class of ship for Holland America Line, so everyone was eager to get the ship out in the open water for the first time on sea trials.

“Koningsdam delivered a strong performance and is now back at the ship yard for the final phase of work in anticipation of the early April delivery.”

During the sea trials, Koningsdam underwent a series of performance tests on the ship’s systems, machinery and engines.

Captain Emiel de Vries, Koningsdam’s master-designate, has not yet taken command of the ship, but he participated in testing the ship’s manoeuvring characteristics and safety systems together with the shipyard’s team of naval architects and builders.

In its inaugural year, Koningsdam will feature a variety of itineraries in the Mediterranean, northern Europe and the Caribbean.

The ship’s naming ceremony is scheduled for May 20th, 2016, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.