CAE announced that CAE Valmarine (formerly Valmarine AS) has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract for a complete control systems package for the new Queen Mary 2, the world's largest passenger liner. CAE announced last week the purchase of Valmarine AS of Norway, the company specializing in the commercial marine control systems market, namely cruise liners, large passenger ferries and specialized cargo vessels.

The package ordered by Cunard Line and Chantiers de l'Atlantique, includes machinery monitoring, controls and alarms, an emergency shutdown system and a computer-based safety system. The systems to be delivered by CAE Valmarine have been designed for the highest possible levels of safety. The control systems will ensure continuous, seamless operation of the machinery plant and the computer-based safety system will provide the crew with advisory assistance for various modes of operation. When the vessel goes into service in late 2003, Queen Mary 2 will be the largest passenger ship ever built.

It will be 345 metres long -- 30 metres longer than the Eiffel Tower -- and 21 stories high. The 150,000 gross ton vessel will feature a 1/3 mile-long teak promenade deck that encircles the entire ship, a library, five swimming pools, and a planetarium. At a total estimated cost of US$780 million, Queen Mary 2 will also be the most expensive ship ever built.