Crystal Endeavor lauded as Berlin ups MVW credit

MV Werften (MVW) spokesman Stefan Sprunk told The Motorship that all systems on the 164m x 23m, €350 million newbuild had been successfully tested, certifications attained and contract stipulations met during the latest three-day trials. Sprunk singled out certification of the ship‘s “safe return to port” system and “extraordinarily good manoeuvrability characteristics”. Officials also cited a turning circle test which was well above the standards required.

The on-board test team of about 80 experts said Crystal Endeavor had “performed like a dream, far exceeding specifications”. They noted a ‘crash-stop’ from full speed to zero within 660m (four ship lengths) compared to the 1,700m (ten ship lengths) requirement. Noise measured 10% lower than required and vibration was as much as 80% below requirements, they said

Owners Crystal Cruises described the latest performance and operational tests on systems, machinery and engines as “rigorous”. They also noted safety, navigation and propulsion system checks and noise and vibration measurements.

Crystal Endeavor is being handed over to its owners at the end of June, about two and a half years after its first steel was cut. It is powered by four 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 32 diesel-electric engines. Combined with Wärtsilä NOx Reducer (NOR) systems they also provide the ship’s electrical energy within a Tier III compliant set-up. The system provides a total installed power of 13,200kW. It also boasts two ABB Azipod-D units enabling Polar Class 6 navigation. Contract top speed is given as 19 knots but officials were quoted as saying the newbuild had delivered 20.5 knots with little vibration during the latest tests.

As Crystal Endeavor returned to MVW Stralsund to prepare for handover, there was good news for the crisis-ridden Genting-owned MVW Group, the future of which, along with that of its owner, is very uncertain because of the Covid pandemic and the collapse of the cruise industry.

The Berlin Government has just approved a further grant of about €300 million for MVW out of Germany’s national economic recovery fund. The cash will enable MVW to cover €82 million still reportedly needed to finish off Crystal Endeavor, the first of three initially planned sisters. There are also now unconfirmed reports of potential interest outside Crystal Cruises in a second ship.The latest Berlin funding will also help finance the completion of Global Dream, the first of two 208,000gt cruise ships long under build in MVW yards. The credits are on top of €193 million made available by Berlin in autumn last year. Genting reportedly also contributed.

However the completion of all of the planned additional newbuilds remains in doubt – as do many of the 2,800 jobs at the three German MVW yards in Wismar, Stralsund and Rostock-Warnemuende. In the west, a fourth Genting-owned shipyard – Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven – has already said it will close at the end of this year for lack of work – unless a new owner can be found.