Project Overview
Client | DFDS Seaways |
Vessel | MS King Seaways — flagship DFDS cruise ferry |
Sector | Marine — passenger and freight ferry |
Route | North Shields, River Tyne to IJmuiden, Netherlands |
Products supplied | 48 SOLASOLV® anti-glare roller screens (navigation bridge) and 34 ROLASOLV® fabric roller blinds (crew accommodation) |
Installation | Completed by Solar Solve’s own team across multiple days while vessel was docked at North Shields between crossings |
Supplied and installed by | Solar Solve Marine, South Shields, UK |
Solar Solve Marine secured a significant multi-order to supply SOLASOLV® anti-glare marine screens and ROLASOLV® fabric roller blinds for MS King Seaways, a flagship cruise ferry operated by DFDS Seaways. The order marked a further deepening of the relationship between DFDS and Solar Solve, following DFDS’s positive experience with SOLASOLV® screens on MS Princess Seaways and other fleet vessels. Solar Solve’s own team installed all products on board while the vessel was docked at North Shields on the River Tyne between its regular crossings to IJmuiden in the Netherlands.
About MS King Seaways
MS King Seaways is a well-established cruise ferry operating on international routes across Northern Europe as part of the DFDS fleet. The vessel plays a key role in both passenger and freight transportation on the Tyne to IJmuiden route, where bridge visibility, crew comfort, and safety are critical operational requirements throughout the vessel’s continuous sailing schedule.
DFDS is Copenhagen-headquartered and one of Europe’s leading ferry operators, recognised as Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator from 2012 to 2018 and World’s Leading Ferry Operator from 2011 to 2018 at the World Travel Awards.
The Challenge
MS King Seaways required specialist solar protection for two distinct areas of the vessel. Navigation bridge windows needed Type Approved anti-glare screens capable of reducing solar glare and heat while maintaining the full outward visibility required for safe ferry operations on the Tyne to IJmuiden crossing. Crew accommodation cabins required high-quality fabric roller blinds providing effective light control and blackout capability to support crew rest and wellbeing during daylight hours.
The installation also needed to be planned and executed without disrupting the vessel’s regular operational schedule. MS King Seaways operates a continuous sailing timetable and any installation work had to be fitted around the vessel’s port calls at North Shields rather than requiring a dedicated dry-docking or extended port stay.
The Solution
SOLASOLV® Anti-Glare Screens — Navigation Bridge
Solar Solve supplied 48 SOLASOLV® anti-glare roller screens for the navigation bridge windows of MS King Seaways. SOLASOLV® screens are specifically engineered for navigation bridge window applications on commercial vessels, reducing solar glare by up to 93% and heat by up to 87% while maintaining a completely clear, undistorted outward view at all times. They hold Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, and RINA — the only marine anti-glare screen in the world to hold all four approvals simultaneously. View the SOLASOLV® product range on the Solar Solve marine sector page.
ROLASOLV® Fabric Roller Blinds — Crew Accommodation
Solar Solve supplied 34 ROLASOLV® fabric roller blinds for crew accommodation cabins throughout MS King Seaways. ROLASOLV® blinds provide effective light control and blackout options for crew rest areas, supporting crew wellbeing and fatigue management on vessels operating continuous sailing schedules. All ROLASOLV® blinds are manufactured to IMO FTP Code fire safety standards, meeting the fire resistance requirements applicable to crew accommodation areas on commercial vessels.
Installation at North Shields
Solar Solve’s trained technicians installed all products on board MS King Seaways while the vessel was docked at North Shields on the River Tyne, scheduled carefully between the vessel’s regular crossings to IJmuiden. Installation was completed across multiple days, ensuring precise fitting across both bridge and cabin environments while maintaining the vessel’s full operational readiness throughout the process.
Why DFDS Chose Solar Solve for King Seaways
The decision to specify Solar Solve for MS King Seaways was directly driven by DFDS’s experience with SOLASOLV® products on MS Princess Seaways. The Captain of King Seaways confirmed this in direct feedback to Solar Solve:
“We had SOLASOLV® sunscreens installed on Princess Seaways and were extremely happy with them, so we chose to install them on King Seaways as well. The Solar Solve team did an excellent job measuring and fitting both the bridge screens and cabin blinds. Once again, we are extremely satisfied with the products and service.”
Captain, MS King Seaways, DFDS
SOLASOLV® and ROLASOLV® Performance
Product | Application | Key Performance |
|---|---|---|
SOLASOLV® screens | Navigation bridge windows | Up to 93% glare reduction, up to 87% heat rejection, up to 99% UV rejection. Full outward visibility maintained. Type Approved by Lloyd’s, DNV, ABS, RINA. |
ROLASOLV® blinds | Crew accommodation cabins | Effective light control and blackout for crew rest. IMO FTP Code compliant flame retardant fabric. DNV-GL Type Approved to IMO FTPC Part 7 A.563(14). |
Key Results
- 48 SOLASOLV® Type Approved anti-glare screens installed on the navigation bridge of MS King Seaways
- 34 ROLASOLV® IMO FTP Code compliant fabric roller blinds installed in crew accommodation cabins
- All products supplied and installed by Solar Solve’s own team from the South Shields factory
- Installation completed across multiple days at North Shields without disrupting the vessel’s Tyne to IJmuiden sailing schedule
- Direct captain endorsement confirming satisfaction with both products and service
- Order driven by DFDS’s existing positive experience with SOLASOLV® on MS Princess Seaways, demonstrating repeat client confidence
To read more about what vessel operators and fleet managers say about Solar Solve’s products and service, visit the Solar Solve testimonials page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What products did Solar Solve supply for MS King Seaways?
Solar Solve supplied 48 SOLASOLV® anti-glare roller screens for the navigation bridge windows and 34 ROLASOLV® fabric roller blinds for crew accommodation cabins on MS King Seaways. The order was fulfilled across multiple deliveries, reflecting DFDS’s continued confidence in Solar Solve’s specialist marine window solutions.
Why did DFDS choose Solar Solve for King Seaways?
DFDS selected Solar Solve for MS King Seaways because of their existing positive experience with SOLASOLV® screens on MS Princess Seaways. The Captain of King Seaways confirmed this directly: ‘We had SOLASOLV® sunscreens installed on Princess Seaways and were extremely happy with them, so we chose to install them on King Seaways as well.’
Are SOLASOLV® screens Type Approved for passenger ferries?
Yes. SOLASOLV® anti-glare screens hold Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, and RINA, making them the only marine anti-glare screen in the world to hold simultaneous certification from all four leading classification societies. This makes them the appropriate and compliant specification for navigation bridge windows on passenger ferries and all other commercial vessels.
Can SOLASOLV® and ROLASOLV® products be installed during port calls?
Yes. Solar Solve’s installation team regularly carries out installations during scheduled port stops, carefully planned to avoid disruption to the vessel’s operational schedule. The King Seaways installation was completed across multiple days while the vessel was docked at North Shields between its regular crossings to IJmuiden, Netherlands.
How can I order SOLASOLV® products for my ferry or cruise vessel?
Contact Solar Solve Marine directly at sales@solasolv.com or call +44 191 454 8595. You can also request a quote via the Solar Solve ordering page. Solar Solve manufactures every screen and blind to the specific dimensions of the window being supplied.
