The cruise ship Odyssey of the Seas for the American cruise line Royal Caribbean International has left the Meyer Werft in Papenburg for Eemshaven, the Netherlands. From there, the ship will set off for technical and nautical sea trials in the North Sea.
The Odyssey of the Seas has sailed to the North Sea backwards, leaving the yard on 27 February, with the assistance of two tugs. This type of transfer has proven to be a good choice due to its better manoeuvrability. The transfer of the ship was carried out by the team of the Pilot Brotherhood Emden. As always, the transfer team has trained the manoeuvre on the computer-controlled simulator in Wageningen, the Netherlands to be well prepared.
The 169,000-gross tonnage cruise ship is the firth ship of a series Meyer Werft is building for the cruise line Royal Caribbean International based in Miami. Delivery of the ship is planned for the next few weeks and will take place in close cooperation with the cruise line.
Also read: Meyer Werft delivers cruise ship Iona to P&O
Forty per cent less work each year
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the cruise industry has come to an almost complete standstill. Meyer Werft as a builder of cruise ships is also impacted by its consequences.
‘The conveyance of such a beautiful ship makes me reflect. By stretching the order book, we are securing work in the long term, but at a lower level each year. For the last and also the next five years, we will have forty per cent less work each year,’ said Jan Meyer, Managing Director of Meyer Werft.
‘We are working hard to adjust to this dramatic change in the situation. Even though some cruise ships will soon be able to sail again, this does not mean new orders by a long shot,’ adds Meyer. Meyer Werft will not be able to expect any new orders for large cruise ships from its existing major customers for many years.
Also read: Meyer Werft: No orders for new cruise ships expected until 2023/24
