Fosen plans to use newly bought German yard for cruise ship building

Norway’s Fosen Yard plans to use its newly acquired yard in Stralsund in Germany to build expedition cruise ships.

Fosen had leased part of the former yard in Stralsund of MV Werften, previously owned by Hong Kong/Malaysian group Genting, which filed for insolvency in January this year because of problems following the collapse of the cruise shipping sector during the pandemic. Fosen previously said little about what it planned to do with the Stralsund yard which it leased in spring this year. But now, the shipbuilding company indicates it plans to use the yard for building small-sized expedition cruise ships and hopes to win an order by autumn this year.

“The goal is to have a (newbuilding) contract by September,” Fosen chief executive officer Anders Straumsheim said in a German media interview. “I am optimistic. Otherwise we would not have leased the yard location.” It is possible that another project could be agreed in allowing personnel to return to the yard possibly in October, Straumsheim said. Talks are being held with three different customers. Fosen plans to take on between 150 to 250 personnel at Stralsund, depending on the orders won.