Aker denies Genesis delays

Aker Yards ASA has dismissed a Finnish media report claiming the construction of the world’s two largest cruise ships is in danger of falling behind schedule. An Aker Yards’ spokeswoman said the Turku yard in Finland is still on course to have the Genesis I ready by Autumn 2009 and its sister vessel, the Genesis II, by Aug 2010.

Citing information obtained from Aker subcontractors, yesterday?s edition of business paper Taloussanomat claimed the delivery timetables for the two ships ordered by Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCC) are under threat. The fines Aker could face for a one-week delay on the Genesis ships run into millions of euros, the newspaper claimed.

Aker Yards recently issued its third profit warning in six months, blaming problems related to the firm’s under-pressure operations in Finland, where it operates three shipyards. The company has highlighted the difficulty in finding enough skilled labour and problems in the subcontractor chain.