Genting Cruise Lines Celebrates Keel-Laying of Second Global Class Ship and Start of New Series of Universal Class Ships at MV Werften
The keel-laying of the the second 208,000 gross ton Global Class for Dream Cruises took place on 9 December 2019 at MV WERFTEN in Rostock.
The midship section of the Global Class ship was produced in Rostock and the transfer of the first 160,000 gross ton midship section for the first Global Class ship – the Global Dream – from Rostock to the covered dock of Wismar was completed only two weeks ago. At 235m long and 20 decks high, the mid-section was the largest man-made ship structure to be towed from one location to another.
The keel-laying for the second Global Class ship was attended by guests from the State and Federal Government, business leaders as well as media representatives from Germany and Asia. Western-Pomerania’s Economics Minister Harry Glawe, Genting Hong Kong’s Chairman and CEO Tan Sri KT Lim, Deputy CEO Hui Lim, Group President Colin Au, Genting Cruise Lines President Kent Zhu, Dream Cruises President Michael Goh and MV WERFTEN’s CEO Peter Fetten.
All participants placed the traditional lucky coins on the keel block before the 95m high gantry crane lowered the 470 ton section into position.
“We are here for the keel laying of the second Global Class ship” said Tan Sri KT Lim, ”But more importantly, we are starting the design and building of the next series of ships, the Universal Class ships, the first to be delivered by now at the end of 2022.”
Cruising is a niche 2.5% market share of the travel industry and marketed often as an alternative to land vacation. The Universal Class ships, on the other hand, are designed, built and operated with “Complete Freedom” – making cruising more like a land vacation. At 88,000 gross tons in size and accommodating 2,000 guests, the ships are large enough to have all the main amenities of larger cruise ships but without the crowded public space and lines of 5,000+ passenger cruise ships. Genting will operate the Universal Class ships for global hotel brands, who want to enter the cruise industry, but are unable to do so as almost all building slots are occupied till the end of the decade.
“The major hospitality brands are uncompromising in protecting their brand image and the Universal Class ships are perfect as they carry the most trusted and respected “Made in Germany” label. They are designed with the highest safety and environmental standards, including LNG propulsion”, says Peter Fetten, President and CEO of MV WERFTEN. “We will be an experienced yard by then, having delivered two 208,000 gross tons Global Class ships, the largest to be built in Germany and the Universal Class ships will keep MV WERFTEN with a full orderbook till 2024.”
Economics Minister Harry Glawe said: “The keel laying is another milestone in the ambitious cruise shipbuilding program of MV WERFTEN. The employees face up to the complex challenges and continuing their successful development. As a result, this secures thousands of jobs, increases added value and contributes to economic stability in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.”
About “Global Dream”
The 208,000 gross ton ship with a length of 342m and width of over 46m is being built on a parallel basis at the MV WERFTEN locations in Rostock, Wismar and Stralsund. The 235m long midship section is being produced in Rostock and she was brought to Wismar in December, 2019 for assembly of the bow and stern and superstructure. Installation of the 2,350 passenger cabins fabricated at MV WERFTEN Fertigmodule and public areas will be completed in Wismar. A total of over 600 companies are involved in the construction of the Global Dream.
The ships of the Global Class are designed for the fast-growing Asian market and are operated by Dream Cruises. Features are a theme park, including a roller coaster with virtual reality, a multiplex cinema, an separate Asian spa in addition to an European spa, many shopping facilities, restaurants as well as fast food outlets. The ships’ 2,350 cabins offer accommodation for 4,700 passengers on a twin share basis and as many as up to 9,000+ passengers during the holiday periods in Asia.
(Dream Cruises, MV Werften)
