Two Cruise Ships For Blohm + Voss?

German shipbuilder Blohm + Voss said on Wednesday it was in negotiations to build two ships but declined to confirm a report that the potential order was to build two cruise ships worth 960 million marks ($435.2 million).

It was reported earlier that the German group was in talks with a potential U.S. client to build two giant cruise ships capable of a top speed of 29 knots using a new propulsion system and hull design.

"I can confirm that we are in talks for two ships," a Blohm + Voss spokeswoman said. "We would be very glad if this came true, but for now we are in negotiations," he said but declined further comment.

Blohm + Voss returned to passenger ship building after 35 years with the delivery of the 920-passenger cruiser Olympic Voyager to Greek travel agency Royal Olympic Cruise Lines this June.

A sister ship, Olympic Explorer, also for the Greek agency, is to be finished in the spring of 2001.