GHK-Genting Hong Kong has signed an order for 10 new vessels with Lloyd Werft Group (Bremerhaven), comprising of two mega-ships for Star Cruises and 8 units for Crystal Cruises.
Star Cruises designed the Global Class of cruise ships for worldwide sailing, each measuring 201,000 GT with 5,000 lower berths.
Delivery of the series will commence between 2019-2020 starting with one ship per year and eventually increasing to 2 ships per year.
The first two vessels in the series are designed with Chinese characteristics. They will be the first purpose built cruise ships deployed for Chinese market.
23 years ago Genting Hong Kong pioneered year-round cruising in Asia with Star Cruises. The company found further success with Norwegian Cruise Line's acquisition 16 years ago - growing the line to be the 3rd largest and most profitable on a per berth basis in the USA.
“Now it is time to come home and rebuild Star Cruises with a fleet of brand-new vessels which will transform Star Cruises to be the youngest, largest and most innovative cruise line in Asia and reclaim our leadership position with our Global Class series of quality-built mega cruise ships,” shared Tan Sri KT Lim during signing ceremony in Wismar, Germany.
GHK's brands include Crystal Cruises for international luxury cruise market, Dream Cruises for Asian luxury cruise market, Star Cruises for contemporary cruise market.
In order to produce sufficient vessels for early deliveries for its quick fleet expansion, Genting has bought 4 shipyards in Germany to form Lloyd Werft Group, which will produce 2 mega ships of over 200,000 GT each and a mid-size ship of 50,000 GT per year.
“We are pleased that Genting chose Lloyd Werft Group for the construction of their new vessels as the company has built all but one of its new cruise ships in Germany for the Star, Dream and NCL brands due to the company’s desire for quality-built cruise ships,” said Rüdiger Pallentin, Lloyd Werft Group's managing director.
“We have the ability to tap into the complex cruise ship subcontractor industry in Europe, many of whom are centred in Germany and we can build cruise ships without major uncertainties in delivery and pricing.
“The Lloyd Werft Group has two huge covered new building drydocks, a ship launching platform and half a million square meter of covered fabrication halls to build quality cruise ships in all weather conditions.”