VIDEO: Genting plans new series of 2,000 passenger, LNG-fueled cruise ships

New 2,000 passenger Universal Class ships would be operated for hotel brands aiming to enter the cruise market

Genting Hong Kong is planning to build a new series of 88,000 gt, 2,000 passenger, LNG-fueled Universal Class cruise ships that it would operate for hotel brands looking to enter the cruise market.

Genting Hong Kong Chairman and CEO Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay made the announcement yesterday during the keel laying ceremony for the second 208,000 gt Global Class ship under construction for Genting’s Dream Cruises at the group’s MV Werften shipbuilding subsidiary in Germany.

“We are here for the keel laying of the second ship of the Global Class,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay. “But more importantly, we start designing and building a new series of ships, the Universal Class. The first ship will be delivered in late 2022. “

According to Genting, cruises are a niche market that accounts for 2.5% of the travel industry and are marketed as a popular alternative to shoreside vacations. The Universal Class ships are designed, built and operated to make a cruise like a vacation ashore. The 88,000-gross-sized ships can accommodate 2,000 passengers and offer all the amenities of larger cruise ships, without the tightness of on board space conventional 5,000 plus passenger ships.

“Large hotel brands are always mindful of their brand image, so the Universal Class ships are perfect because they guarantee ‘Made in Germany’ quality,” said Peter Fetten, Managing Director of MV Werften. “They will meet the highest safety and environmental standards, including LNG propulsion.”

He added that MV Werften would start construction of the Universal Class ships following delivery of the two Global Class ships, the largest ships ever built in Germany.