Steel Cut for Norwegian’s Next Cruise Ship
Marking the beginning of construction of the second ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway Plus class, a steel cutting ceremony was held Tuesday, September 15 at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The new vessel, named Norwegian Bliss, is scheduled to be delivered in spring 2017. Once completed, the ship will weigh 165,600 gross tons, measure 330 meters in length and 41.4 meters in breadth, and feature capacity for up to 4,200 guests, with the capability to reach speeds up to 23 knots, according to the shipbuilder.
Fourth LEG/LPG Tanker Started
Magne Morken, Managing Director of the Norwegian shipping company Solvang ASA, pushed the button of the computer-controlled plasma torch for the steel construction of the fourth gas tanker out of a series of four. Cutting of the first steel plate marks the start of the production process of the new gas tanker. The LEG/LPG tankers will have a length overall of 154.9 m, a breadth of 22.70 m and a cargo capacity of 17,000 m3. They will be able to operate at a speed of 17 knots. In addition to ethylene, the tankers will also be able to carry vinyl chloride monomer, ammonia and propylene oxide, cooled down to minus 48° C. Deliveries of these special vessels, yard numbers S. 653, S. 654, S. 681 and S. 682, are scheduled for the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2007 and the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2008.
Celebrity Cruises Starts on Solstice
Celebrity Cruises has taken its first step toward physically launching Celebrity Solstice in Fall 2008. The line's President Dan Hanrahan ceremoniously pressed the start button for the plasma cutter at shipbuilder Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, creating the ship's first steel plate. Accompanying Hanrahan were Celebrity's Executive Vice President Maritime & Newbuilding Harri Kulovaara, Celebrity Solstice Project Manager Jarmo Laakso, and Meyer Werft's Managing Director Bernard Meyer, Lambert Kruse and Project Manager Uwe Wulf.
