Peter Fetten, a 38-year maritime industry veteran, will take over the President & CEO position of MV Werften as of May 1, 2018 and Jarmo Laakso will remain as Managing Director and step into the position of COO to focus on cruise shipbuilding.

Prior to joining MV Werften, Fetten was the Senior Vice President of Corporate Ship Refits at Carnival Corporation & PLC for the past nine years. He was also Vice President Newbuilding and Fleet Design of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. for eight years and held several executive positions during his 16 years at Blohm+Voss Shipyard. Fetten is also a past member of the board of directors of Grand Bahamas Shipyard and has worked together with Laakso at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

“We are pleased that Mr. Fetten is joining the MV Werften team. With his wealth of international experience in the design and construction of mega cruise ships and shipyard management, he will lead MV Werften on its mission to build Dream Cruises’ 204,000 gross ton Global Class ship, the largest ship to be built in Germany and Crystal Cruises’ 20,000 gross ton Endeavor Class ship, the world’s most luxurious expedition ship,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman & CEO of Genting Hong Kong.

Fetten is a German national and holds degrees in naval architecture and welding engineering from the University of Hamburg. “I look forward to returning to Germany and playing a pivotal role in revitalizing the shipbuilding industry in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, creating thousands of jobs in the cruise shipbuilding industry for the state,” said Peter Fetten.

Laakso, in his new role as COO, will focus on the overall yard and building strategy. He will report to Fetten and will remain as a Managing Director of the MV Werften group. “I welcome the opportunity to work with Peter Fetten again and together we will build good quality cruise ships that Germany will be proud of,” said Jarmo Laakso.