TUI Cruises, the Hamburg based joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL), says it expects STX Finland to complete Mein Schiff 3, the first of two newbuildings in has on order at the Finnish yard, on timedespite a delay in implementation of a multi-party agreement to inject funds in the yard.
“Unfortunately the materialisation of the agreement has taken longer than expected. However, now the owner has taken the necessary steps to move forward and TUI Cruises expects to proceed with the original agreements this week,” the Hamburg based company said in a statement.
It made the statement in light of recent public speculation relating to the shipyard, the company also confirmed that it expects all details to be clarified and confirmed with a few days. “The company noted that all relevant parties, including the shipyard, its owner, the buyer, the Finnish government and Finnish government agencies, previously reached an agreement to cover the financing of the work and ensure that the shipyard had the liquidity it needed to complete the ship on time,” TUI Cruises said.
“We are confident that this ship will make all of us involved in the process proud,” said Richard Vogel, TUI Cruises President and CEO, who is in Finland this week reviewing the status of the construction of the company’s two ship orders and provided an update.
Vogel noted that Mein Schiff 3 had just reached an important milestone – construction at STX Finland is now 25% complete and the main engines have completed their acceptance testing. Formal keel-laying has been set for Friday 24 May, 2013 with delivery almost exactly one year later. “It is very exciting to see all the pieces coming together to form this spectacular vessel,” said Vogel. “We can’t wait to amaze our guests with the special spaces aboard this beautiful and innovative ship.”
The construction of the vessel is being overseen by Harri Kulovaara, EVP-Maritime of RCCL, who also commented that the pace of construction was encouraging. “I have no doubt in the ability of the Finnish yard and its contractors to complete this ship in a timely way and to produce yet another excellent ship.”
