Kone, a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, has been awarded a contract by German MV Werften to equip two of the shipyard group's newest cruise ship class vessels belonging to the new Global class fleet and specifically designed for Asian cruise market. The contract also includes options for two similar vessels.
Kone will deliver 9 Kone MonoSpace elevators, 33 Kone MiniSpace elevators and 16 Kone TravelMaster 110 escalators. Other solutions will include E-Link monitoring systems, and special elevator operating modes including boarding, luggage handling, gangway and medical priority modes. Built in Wismar, Germany, the ships will be 340 meters long, spanning across 20 decks and carrying more than 5,000 passengers and over 2,000 crew members. The two vessels belong to a series of 204,000 gross ton Star Cruises Global Class cruise ships owned by Genting Hong Kong Ltd and due to be completed in 2020 and 2021.
"With years of experience in marine business, Kone's team has convinced us with their experienced site professionals and planning and design expertise. We're looking forward to building the world's most modern and efficient cruise vessels with improved passenger flow and boarding," says Jarmo Laakso, Managing Director of MV Werften.
"The Asian cruise market is booming and there is a new breed of cruisers with high expectations for on-board experience. With early involvement, we're proud to have co-created with the customer a tailor-made solution that meets the needs of Asian cruise passengers," says Timo Pakarinen, Managing Director for Kone's Marine business.
In addition to the cruise ship, Kone has also been awarded a contract by MV Werften to equip two of its 20,000 gross ton Endeavor mega yachts with an option for one additional ship. The Endeavor class vessels will be the world's largest expedition yachts designed for operation in the Arctic, Antarctic and also in the Tropics. Kone's solutions will include two MiniSpace passenger elevators and two MiniSpace service elevators. The vessels are due for delivery to luxury cruise line Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises in 2019.
The orders were booked in the second quarter of 2017.