Dutch shipbuilder Shipyard De Hoop and Germany's Meyer Werft win new ship orders from Silversea
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Luxury expedition cruise brand Silversea Cruises has ordered three new ships – two from German shipbuilder Meyer Werft and one from Dutch shipbuilder Shipyard De Hoop.
Meyer Werft has signed a memorandum of understanding to construct two new Evolution Class vessels at its yard in Papenburg. The first is expected to be delivered in 2022.
“We are very happy to build these new ships for Silversea Cruises,” said Tim Meyer, managing director of Meyer Werft. “Together with Silversea we will create a new generation of environmentally friendly ships in the ultra-luxury cruise market.”
Shipyard De Hoop will build the new Silver Origin, a 100-guest expedition ship that will be delivered in March 2020 and replace Silver Galapagos in the Galapagos Islands.
“We are excited and proud to receive this order,” said Patrick Janssens, CEO of Shipyard De Hoop. “It is not only about building the best small expedition cruise vessel, but also about building and maintaining a high-quality partnership with Royal Caribbean and Silversea.”
Silversea and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, which acquired two thirds of the brand in early 2018, hope that the new ships will enable them to provide guests with more choice for ultra-luxury cruise expeditions.
“We are delighted to have entered into an agreement with Meyer Werft on the Silver Evolution series and De Hoop for Silver Origin,” said Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Silversea's executive chairman. “With our guests in mind, we are pushing the boundaries of ultra-luxury cruising, as well as expedition cruising in the Galápagos Islands and beyond, redefining the concept of immersive travel.”
Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean, said: “There is tremendous potential in the ultra-luxury and expedition markets of the cruise industry, and we believe discerning travellers will embrace the exciting designs Silversea is imagining for them.”
Both agreements are subject to certain contingencies which are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2019.