Royal Caribbean Group has confirmed that it is not scrapping one of its ships at this time, chasing away rumours that the older vessel was destined for the cutting torch.
Speculation arose last week that the 2,020-berth Empress of the Seas (built 1990) was sailing towards scrapyards in Aliaga, Turkey, because it has a course set for Malta, AIS data shows.
The ship is currently heading east at 10.5 knots towards the Mediterranean island's port of Valletta for arrival next Sunday, according to VesselsValue.
Malta was the last stop for its Pullmantur brand's 73,500-gt Sovereign (built 1987) and 47,400-gt Horizon (built 1990) before reaching Aliaga a few weeks ago for dismantling.
At first, Richard Fain-led Royal Caribbean would neither confirm nor deny last week's scrapping rumours. However, the company dispelled them on Monday in an email to TradeWinds.
"[The] Empress [of the Seas] is not headed to the scrapyard," spokesman Jonathon Fishman wrote in the brief message.
Fishman did not return calls on Monday seeking further details.
On the hunt for best services
He had suggested last Friday that the ship was sailing around the globe looking for the best services for its operational needs.
"We are constantly looking for the best places to deploy our ships in order to get all the ship services we require for operations, such as provisions and fuel," Fishman said at the time.
"As such, it is normal that we move the ships from ports to ports, based on our most efficient operations based on availability and price."
Royal Caribbean is not the only owner with plans to send older tonnage to the scrapheap as the entire sector faces unprecedented losses amid Covid-19 disruption.
Late last month, Carnival Corp sold Costa Cruises' 75,200-gt Costa Victoria (built 1996) to Italy’s San Giorgio del Porto Shipyard for scrapping.
The Arnold Donald-led juggernaut also plans to divest another 14 ships in an effort to streamline the company as it navigates pandemic-related challenges.
Royal Caribbean's shares, which trade on the New York Stock Exchange as RCL, gained 4.1% to $49.32 by late-afternoon trading on Tuesday, while Carnival's shares, which trade on the same exchange as CCL, rose 5.5% to $13.78.
