Genting Hong Kong said it plans to cut the first steel for two new cruise ships at its MV Werften yards in March 2018.
The ships to be built at its shipyards in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, which were consolidated under the name MV Werften earlier this year, include a 20,000-gross ton Endeavor-class polar expedition yacht for Crystal Cruises and a 204,000-gross ton Global-class cruise ship for Star Cruises.
Genting disclosed the news in reporting 2017 first half losses of $203.2 million due mainly to the startup of new brands for its Cruise Division and MV Werften Shipyard. In the same period of 2016, Genting Hong Kong had a loss of $54.6 million.
Revenue for the first half increased 23% to $471.2 million, due mainly to increased capacity from the introduction of the Genting Dream and Crystal Mozart ships.
Colin Au, group president of Genting Hong Kong, said in a statement that having delivered the first of four Rhine-class river ships, the Crystal Bach, this month, the company is now focused on delivering the first Endeavor-class ship by late 2019 and the first Global-class ship by late 2020.
The Crystal Endeavor is intended for the expedition market and is designed to carry 200 passengers, while Star's Global-class vessel has capacity for up to 5,000 passengers.