Meyer Werft Researching On Fuel Cell Technology To Pave The Way For Emission-Free Cruise Ships

The year 2020 got off to a promising start: on January 28, MEYER WERFT was able to look back on its 225th anniversary. The order book is well filled and orders are planned from 2024. Then came the Corona crisis, which continues to hit cruises particularly hard. The company reacted to the crisis early: a wide range of corona prevention measures ensure the health of all people who work at the shipyard.

At the same time, numerous measures had to be taken to maintain the economic stability of the shipyard. An investment freeze, an extensive savings package, the reduction of temporary employees, and the instrument of short-time work, as well as significantly fewer supplier employees, initially create a little planning security until the end of June 2021.

At the same time, intensive negotiations were carried out with the shipping companies to extend existing orders. Up until now, this has prevented the cancellation of orders and operational dismissals.

Image Credits: MEYER WERFT

Despite all the adverse circumstances, MEYER WERFT managed to deliver two ships this year. In September and October 2020 the two newbuildings “Iona” for P&O Cruises and the “Spirit of Adventure” for Saga Cruises were delivered. Further innovative large projects will be implemented in the next few years.

“Our extended order book allows us to position ourselves for the future. We must seize this opportunity. This year, our entire team, together with our many partners, showed the motivation with which we implement our projects despite all the challenges, ”says Thomas Weigend, Managing Director of MEYER WERFT. Despite the savings package, MEYER WERFT is setting the course for the future for the time after the corona pandemic. With the new logistics center, material transports are coordinated even better and costs for other storage areas are reduced.

The shipyard is also working on new solutions to further expand its technological leadership in cruise ships: Intensive research is being carried out on fuel cell technology and other technical innovations on passenger ships in order to pave the way for emission-free cruise ships. MEYER WERFT will also deliver two cruise ships in 2021; The Odyssey of the Seas for Royal Caribbean International is already at the equipment pier.

Reference: meyerwerft.de

Source: Maritime Shipping News