Genting Cruise Lines (GCL) has begun design work on a series of mid-sized cruise ships it plans to build at MV Werften in Germany.
Dubbed the Universal Class, the LNG-powered, 88,000-gt vessels will accommodate 2,000 passengers.
Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chairman and CEO of Genting Hong Kong, parent of both GCL and MV Werften, revealed at this week’s keel-laying ceremony of the second 208,000-gt cruiseship MV Werften is building for GCL, that the company intends to charter them to international hotel brands that 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 vessels are described as being 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.
MV Werften plans to deliver the first of the series at the end of 2022, said Peter Fetten, president and CEO of the yard group.
“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.
“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.”
GCL operates a fleet of 15 ships spread across the Star Cruises, Dream Cruises and Crystal Cruises brands, and has a further four cruiseships on order at MV Werften.
