Two major cruise ship engine builders have said that they expect the near future to remain challenging in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the world may emerge different from what it is today once the effects of the pandemic have become a matter of the past.

“We need to prepare ourselves for a market environment that will remain difficult for a long period of time,” said Dr. Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Energy Solutions said in a statement in which the company unveiled a programme to cut costs by €450 million.

“Some of the company’s key areas of business, such as the cruise ship business, have been directly affected by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and we do not expect to see a recovery to precrisis levels until 2023. The programme is designed to address these negative market influences and make lasting improvements to MAN Energy Solutions’ ability to respond to market fluctuations,” he continued.

Meanwhile, the Finnish technology group Wartsila pointed out in its second quarter 2020 interim report that the cruise and ferry segment has been severely impacted by reduced sailings and temporary vessel lay-ups, as travel bans and other mitigation measures have kept most passenger vessels idle throughout the second quarter.

“Governments worldwide have announced relief packages to respond to the economic distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In many cases, the packages are linked to the development of greener infrastructures,” the company said.

“This is anticipated to incentivise the decarbonisation of the maritime sector, and increase interest in alternative fuels, electric and hybrid-battery propulsion, as well as in digital solutions across the industry,” Wartsila pointed out.