Croatian shipbuilder Brodosplit is being tipped as a possible recipient of two cruiseship orders from German interests.
Well-placed sources within the cruise industry report that an as-yet-unnamed German cruise operator is in the final stages of negotiating with Brodosplit for two 1,200-passenger cruiseships. The vessels are estimated to be worth in the region of €350m ($395m) each.
The order, which is still subject to financing, would be for one firm ship with an option for one more.
The shipyard has not commented on the potential order, nor has there been any indication of which cruise line is involved.
Some industry observers suggest the order may be from Phoenix Seereisen, a popular German cruise outfit that specialises in destination cruising using medium-size cruiseships. The company currently operates a fleet of three vessels, with a fourth chartered in on a seasonal basis.
Brodosplit has made a small comeback in cruiseship building in recent years, receiving an order earlier this year for a 6,300-gross-ton (gt) expedition cruiseship from Oceanwide Marine Services of the Netherlands that is scheduled for completion in 2019.
At present, the company is building a 300-passenger, 8,770-gt, sail-powered cruiseship for Star Clippers. The project has been subject to lengthy delays and the ship is tentatively scheduled for completion in 2018.
Founded in 1922, Brodosplit has a wide vessel portfolio that includes containerships, tankers, offshore vessels, research ships, ro-ro vessels, ferries and luxury yachts. The company last built a couple of small coastal cruiseships about a decade ago.
