Ritec Marine Services (RMS) are back doing what they do best – renovating and protecting glass on a cruise liner with the Ritec ClearShield Eco-System®. The latest beneficiary to have the award-winning treatment is Princess Cruises’ Sphere-class cruise ship Sun Princess currently in construction. This first of two Sphere-class ships will be the largest ever built for Princess Cruises and the company’s first to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Manufacture of the glass dome, atrium and balustrading was the responsibility of Seele, a world leading innovative façades manufacturer. Meanwhile, Ritec Marine Services (the specialist arm of Dutch-based Ritec Services, a subsidiary of Ritec International in the UK) were commissioned to treat these glass elements with the ClearShield Eco-System® in situ at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. This meant removing anything adhering to the surface such as paint splatter, silicone and protective foil. Then comes the application of Ritec ClearShield® glass surface treatment to protect from future contamination found in the marine environment such as salt spray. With the application of the System complete, the once-ordinary glass became superior ClearShield Eco-Glass®, renowned for its ‘non-stick’, easy-clean properties.

Apart from reducing time, manpower and water to clean, ClearShield Eco-Glass® means it looks like new for longer as it resists anything the harsh marine environment throws at it. This in turn means greater views and a better sense of comfort for passengers onboard. And with over 40 years of track records in the marine industry alone, Ritec ClearShield® has become the standard of glass surface protection specified by most of the world’s premier cruise lines.

Some 2,500m² (27,000ft²) of glass was treated by RMS via rope access and cherry pickers. Thanks to the experienced On-Site Application Team and the ClearShield Eco-System®, the glass will be shining onboard the Sun Princess when she makes her maiden voyage early next year.

For more information about Ritec Marine Services, visit www.ritecmarineservices.com.