Keel Laid for Dream Cruises’ New 204,000 gt Ship

A keel laying ceremony for Dream Cruises’ Global-Class flagship was held at MV WERFTEN’s Rostock shipyard today.

At 204,000 gross tons and with 2,500 suites and cabins, the new cruise ship designed specifically for the Asian market will be the largest ever to be built in Germany. The first section measuring 22 meters long, 26 meters wide and weighing 410 tons, about half of the full keel, marks the start of construction.

Approximately 1,000 shipyard employees, partners and guests attended event. Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig, Minister of Economic Affairs Harry Glawe, Genting Hong Kong's Executive Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Group President Colin Au, Dream Cruises President Thatcher Brown and MV WERFTEN's CEO Peter Fetten placed the traditional lucky coins before the 95-meter high gantry crane lowered the section into place.

"The construction of cruise ships is challenging, but above all it offers great opportunity for MV WERFTEN and opens up new opportunities for many suppliers in our state as well. I am delighted that all three locations – Wismar, Stralsund and Warnemünde – are benefiting from the shipyards' new path," said Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig.

Production of the 342 meters long and over 46 meters wide cruise ship will take place in parallel in Wismar and Rostock. The 220-meter-long midship will be manufactured in Rostock. It will be moved to Wismar in 2019, where the bow and stern, as well as the superstructures, will be mounted. The 2,500 passenger cabins produced by MV WERFTEN Fertigmodule in Wismar will also be installed in Wismar. A total of around 600 companies will be involved in the construction process.

Peter Fetten, Managing Director at MV WERFTEN, added, "We are creating something truly great. After an intensive engineering and design phase, today's keel laying marks the next stage of the manufacturing process of MV's first giant, its dock assembly."

The Global Class ships were designed for the growing Asian cruise market and will join the Dream Cruises fleet. Amenities will include a theme park, including a roller coaster with virtual reality, a Cineplex, Asian spa in addition to a Western spa, ample shopping facilities as well as authentic Asian and international dining experiences and fast food restaurants. The 2,500 cabins accommodate up to 5,000 passengers on a twin share basis and can cater up to 9,500 passengers, during peak holiday periods, with sufficient life-saving facilities and width of fire stairs.

"The Global Class is designed from the keel upwards for the Asian sourced market, which requires more exciting public areas and larger cabins than traditional cruise ships and, supported by the world's leading technology and digital systems for Asians, who are more used to digital technology,” said Tan Sri KT Lim. “Owning the shipyard means greater flexibility in incorporating the latest technical advancements for MV WERFTEN to build the best cruise ship in the world.”