Meyer Werft and Disney Cruise Line continue their long partnership with four additional ships that will join Disney Cruise Line’s fleet between 2027 and 2031. The order is very welcome for the German shipyard, which is still struggling financially.
The order follows an order for a Disney cruise ship placed by a Japanese partner of Disney a month ago.
‘We are very happy to continue our partnership with Disney Cruise Line and build four additional outstanding ships over the next seven years,’ says Bernard Meyer of Meyer Werft. ‘We now have eight ships for Disney Cruise Line in our order book, which reflects the trust in our capabilities and hard work of our team.’
Once again, these ships will feature the latest innovations for greater sustainability and will provide the perfect environment for multi-generational family vacations. The ship names, designs, and itineraries are still in development.
Also read: Meyer to build new Disney cruise ship
Other Disney cruise ships
Meyer Werft and Disney Cruise Line have a longstanding relationship, that started with Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, which were delivered in 2010 and 2012. In 2022, the first Wish-Class cruise ship Disney Wish was handed over to Disney Cruise Line. The two sister ships Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny are currently under construction in Papenburg and will be delivered in 2024 and 2025.
With this new order, Meyer Werft has ten cruise ships, a research vessel and four offshore converter platforms in its order book, which will be delivered until 2031.
Order book of over 11 billion euros
‘With the new orders, our order book is growing to over 11 billion euros. With 95 per cent of our export share, we are developing positively against the current German trend. With our high level of value added in Germany, these orders mean a lot of prosperity and tax revenue for Germany,’ adds Meyer.
Works council chairman Andreas Hensen: ‘These new orders are another strong and positive signal for the future of jobs in Papenburg for the works council and all colleagues. We look forward to continuing to build great and innovative ships for Disney Cruise Line in the future.’
Also read: Carnival orders fifth Excel-class cruise ship at Meyer
Meyer Werft in financial trouble
Despite having a well-filled order book for the coming years, Meyer Werft is still in dire straits financially. German broadcaster NDR reported that the company still has to pay off more than half a billion euros by November this year. The shipyard is in debt and has to pre-finance eighty per cent of new builds, states NDR.
According to Dutch newspaper FD, the shipyard is also in discussions with the national government and the state of Lower Saxony for financial support. Next month, the shipbuilder and the authorities hope to reach an agreement on a guarantee, which will allow Meyer to raise new financing. This all makes the new order from Disney most welcome.
The debts are a remainder of the Covid crisis, risen general and financing costs and the war in Ukraine, as the company revealed with its 2023 results.
Picture: Thomas Mazloum and Bernard Meyer.
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