Meyer’s Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock Germany has secured a new order from Viking Cruises for 9 additional riverboats, contributing to the shipyard's orderbook for the next 2,5 years.
Neptun has been the principal shipbuilder for Viking River Cruises for 10+ years, having already delivered 65 Longships (since 2012).
The new order extends a design collaboration with Viking that incorporates a hybrid propulsion system into the river ships. This design, introduced by Meyer and launched by Viking in 2022, includes a hybrid propulsion system with batteries to manage peak loads and reduce emissions. Additionally, solar panels on the top deck and a compact wastewater treatment system have been integrated. The vessels will also have the capability to use shore power while docked, ensuring compliance with the stringent exhaust gas regulations of the European Union.
This order brings the total number of river cruise ships on order to 10, with 5 scheduled for delivery in 2025 and the remaining 5 in 2026. Viking, which initially ordered a single river cruise ship in February 2023, has now expanded the order to include nine more hulls.
Neptun builds two classes of riverboats for Viking. One vessel from the order and the one ordered earlier this year will belong to a shorter class designed for the Seine River. These ships (LOA length 125 m / 410 ft) can navigate the heart of Paris and accommodate 168 passengers. One Seine ship will be delivered in 2025, and the second in 2026.
The second class is the longer Longship (135 m / 443 ft) designed for navigation on the rivers Rhine, Main, and Danube. These boats (max 190 passengers each) will be delivered evenly between 2025 and 2026.
Viking's Longships feature patented designs with elements such as an offset center corridor, varied accommodations, and private balconies for some staterooms. These ships exhibit Scandinavian decor, large windows, and an indoor-outlook terrace.
These new vessels mark the first additions to Viking’s European voyages since the introduction of eight Longships in March 2022. Viking continues to expand its fleet for both ocean cruises and river cruises in Egypt and on the Mekong River in Southeast Asia.
For Neptun Werft, this new order solidifies a "well-filled" orderbook, alongside ongoing projects such as the construction of two naval fuel supply vessels and components for the new German research vessel Meteor IV. The shipyard has also ventured into offshore converter platforms and is exploring opportunities in the offshore wind sector.