Press Archive

New1.9.2009

Delivery of Gaschem Pacific

On 01 September 2009, MEYER WERFT delivered the LPG/LRG tanker Gaschem Pacific to the shipping company Harpain. The ship is 155.64 meters long, 22.73 meters wide, has a carrying capacity of 17,000 m³, and is able to operate at a speed of 17.8 knots.

The low-temperature cargo tanks and other components were built and delivered by MEYER WERFT's sister company, NEPTUN WERFT in Rostock-Warnemünde.

Gaschem Pacific - Main particulars

Length overall155.64 m
Length perpendicular147.40 m
Breadth22.73 m
Depth to main deck14.95 m
Draught (Ethylene)8.10 m
Draught (VCM)10.60 m
Deadweight (VCM)~ 18,900 t
Cargo tank capacity~ 17,100 cbm
Speed17.8 kts
Crew cabins22
Engine output9,720 kW
Classification Det Norske Veritas ✠1 A 1 "Tanker for Liquefied Gas" - EO, Ice-1C
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New26.8.2009

Disney Dream Begins to Take Shape

New itineraries and new homeports are on the horizon for Disney Cruise Line

PAPENBURG, GERMANY (August 26, 2009) - Today, Disney Cruise Line celebrated the keel laying of the Disney Dream, the first of two newly-designed ships destined to expand family cruise options to more people in more places around the world.

"Since our inception, families have come to know and love Disney Cruise Line, and they are looking for additional ways to enjoy all that we have to offer," Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz said during the ceremony at the MEYER WERFT shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. "Our fleet expansion will allow us to satisfy demand on both the East and West coasts of the United States while also giving us the flexibility to explore additional global destinations for our Guests."

The keel laying ceremony is the first time the Disney Dream will begin to take shape after many years of design work. In the maritime industry, the ceremony marks a momentous occasion when the first block - or section - of the ship is lowered into the building dock and a coin is placed under the keel for good fortune.

Doing the honors of placing the coin was Captain Tom Forberg. With a distinguished maritime career aboard Disney Cruise Line, Forberg was the first crew member hired and the captain who launched the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. Recently, Forberg was named as the future Master of the Disney Dream.

The ship will continue to take its form through a block construction process in which pre-fabricated complete hull sections are joined together in block units and are then brought together to form the ship. The Disney Dream will be made up of 80 blocks, with the first block weighing in at approximately 380 tons.

Designing the Disney Dream

The Disney Dream is scheduled to join the current fleet in 2011, followed by Disney's second new ship, the Disney Fantasy in 2012. Together the two new ocean liners will more than double the capacity of Disney Cruise Line, each having 1,250 staterooms and a tonnage of 128,000.

Bringing together innovation in superb shipbuilding and creativity in imaginative storytelling, Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering, along with the MEYER WERFT shipyard have created a truly distinctive design. Like the existing ships, these ocean liners were designed to deliver a unique vacation that every member of the family believes was created just for them. Design details will be revealed later this fall.

Synonymous with its name, the Disney Dream will evoke the unique heritage of the company's ideals in creating enchanting places and stories where families' vacation dreams come true.

Homeports

Both new ocean liners will call Port Canaveral, Fla., their home, where expansion efforts are underway to accommodate the larger ships and additional guests. In addition to an extension of the dock and enlargements to the one-of-a-kind Disney terminal building, a new multi-level parking structure will be built, complementing the design and storytelling elements of the ships. The new enhancements will provide guests an even more seamless transition from land to sea during their vacation experience.

Disney Cruise Line also recently announced that the Disney Wonder will operate from the Port of Los Angeles starting in 2011.

Future Itineraries

In addition to the new ships, Disney Cruise Line continues to expand itineraries, with plans to once again sail the Mediterranean region aboard the Disney Magic during the summer of 2010. In addition to the popular ports in Spain, Italy and France, the ship will visit Tunis, in Northern Africa, the island nation of Malta and Corsica. Disney Magic will also visit the historic cities of Northern Europe for the first time calling on Warnemunde, Germany, the gateway to Berlin and St. Petersburg, Russia. Enchanting Scandinavian ports like Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm, will also be a first for Disney.

Holz noted that the company will begin to announce some itineraries for 2011 in September during the D23 EXPO, the ultimate fan experience where the entire world of Disney will come together under one roof at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.

Based in Celebration, Fla., Disney Cruise Line established the family cruise market when it launched its business in 1998. Recently the line was named the best large cruise ship for families by Travel + Leisure magazine in its annual reader's poll.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, visit disneycruise.com or call Disney Cruise Line at (888) DCL-2500 or (407) 566-7000. Travel agents can call Disney Cruise Line at (888) 325-2500 or visit disneytravelagents.com.

Disney Media Contacts U.S. Media: Christi Erwin Donnan, 407.566.3648 / 407.361.2590

German Media: Claudia Hedrys, +49.89.99340.491

MEYER WERFT Media Contact

Peter Hackman, +49 4961 81-5665 +49 4961 81-4519

Visit DCLNEWS.com for news and information about Disney Cruise Line. For information about MEYER WERFT, visit: www.meyerwerft.de/

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New16.7.2009

Delivery of Celebrity Equinox

New Postpanamax Ship for Celebrity Cruises Highest number of outside cabins on a cruise ship

Eemshaven/Papenburg, July 16, 2009 - Today MEYER WERFT delivered the new passenger cruise vessel Celebrity Equinox to Celebrity Cruises (Miami, USA) in the Dutch port of Eemshaven. The Celebrity Equinox is the second ship out of a series of five cruise ships the Papenburg shipyard is building for Celebrity Cruises. MEYER WERFT and Celebrity Cruises have developed and built an extremely eco-friendly ship. A total energy saving of about 30% compared to similar ships is achieved by highly energy-efficient components such as a photovoltaic system, optimised hull design (hydrodynamics), an very efficient underwater coating or an energy-saving lighting system using LEDs.

The Celebrity Equinox meets the new rules and regulations regarding damaged stability which will be valid as of 2009. These rules helps to increase safety considerably in case the ship is damaged due to a leak. Along with its new design and innovate technical equipment, the luxury liner offers the passengers numerous specialities and a great deal of convenience: Roughly 90% of the passenger cabins are outside cabins with balconies. The ship features real grass on the open deck, a glass blowing studio, plenty of special restaurants and bars, a very spacious pool area and a huge indoor pool, night clubs, a shopping mall, a casino and a breathtaking atrium with a suspended 6.5-m high real tree at its centre.

Safety as well as entertainment on board in accordance with the latest technical standards is ensured by a diesel-electric pod propulsion system, complex alarm and safety systems, interactive communication systems and state-of-the-art stage technology. Moreover the highest safety standards are met in the engine room, especially in regard to the propulsion system.

As early as one day after the delivery, the Celebrity Equinox will leave the Dutch port of Eemshaven for Southampton, with the first passengers already on board, where her naming ceremony takes place on 29 July 2009 and from where she will set sail for a couple of mini cruises. The first cruise, to the Fjords of Norway, will start on 31 July 2009. In the following she will enter into regular service in the Mediterranean.

Celebrity Equinox - Main particulars

Dimension122,000 gt
Length overall317.20 m
Moulded breadth36.8 m
Number of decks17
Draught (fully loaded)8.50 m
Engine output67,200 kW in total
Propulsion power41,000 kW
Speed24 Kn.
Number of passengers 2.852
Number of passenger cabins 1426
Number of outside cabins (including suites) 1286
Number of inside cabins140
Crew approx. 1,271
Number of theatre seats 1.095
Number of restaurants and cafés 10
Number of shops16
Number of bars16
Total weight of applied paint approx. 320 t
Total length of laid cables3.000 km
Total length of laid pipes212 km
Flag Malta
ClassificationDet Norske Veritas ✠ 1A1 "Passenger Ship" ECO, RPS,F-M,COMF-V(1) FUEL, LCD-DC, BIS

The ship was designed in close cooperation with the Owner, and was optimised by means of computer calculations and model tank tests. Thanks to her slender outlines the ship, with her 17 decks and a pod propulsion system, features a very low fuel consumption and has outstanding manoeuvring and sea-keeping capabilities as well as low noise and vibration levels.

Cabins There are 1,426 passenger cabins on the Celebrity Equinox, 140 of which are inside and 1,286 outside cabins. Various cabin categories are available. The cabins are subdivided in inside, outside and balcony cabins. They have their own bathrooms, colour TV sets, phones, safes, fridges, hairdryers, separate temperature control units and Internet connections. There are also 26 disabled cabins on board. Penthouse and Royal Suites These two unique suites, 110 and 54 sqm large, exceed all expectations. They have their own living rooms, dining rooms and separate bedrooms as well as luxury bathrooms with jacuzzis and separate showers.

Public rooms

Equinox Theatre (Deck 3-5) The state-of-the-art theatre on the Celebrity Equinox offers seating for 1,095 guests. Its design is such that all tiers allow the best possible view on the stage. The theatre has a sophisticated stage equipment. The lower machinery consists of a turning platform. Additionally six lifts have been installed which can be operated up to stage level. The upper machinery comprises a total of 11 rails, three of which are dedicated to effect lighting and eight to operating the curtains. All systems are computer-controlled and can be operated from various positions.

The Silhouette Dining Room (Deck 3/4) The main restaurant for 1,429 guests is one of the largest rooms on board and is extended over two decks. The passengers enter the restaurant via stairs made of glass. The highlights of this restaurant are clearly the wine tower made of steel and glass, ornamented pillars and a chandelier having a diameter of 10 metres.

Solarium and Aqua Spa (Deck 12) The roofed-over pool area with its many fountains and large indoor pool and jacuzzis is a true oasis to relax in, not only in bad weather.

The Lawn Club (Deck 15) The Lawn Club is located on a 2,130 sqm lawn. A type of grass especially grown for this ship (Agrostis Stalonifera) creates a very special atmosphere. In this area also the Patio on the Lawn, the Sunset Bar, the Hot Glass Show and the Lawn Club Shop can be found.

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New2.7.2009

Meeting of two cousins

Papenburg, 2 July 2009 - On 30 June 2009 MEYER WERFT's latest newbuilding, Celebrity Equinox, and A-ROSA AQUA, the latest river cruise vessel built by MEYER WERFT's affiliated company NEPTUN WERFT, met in the Dutch port of Eemshaven. Eemshaven is Celebrity Equinox's trials port from where she went on her sea trials and where she receives her finishing touch prior to delivery on 16 July 2009. A-ROSA AQUA was passing Eemshaven on her way to Delfzijl, where owner's supplies such as loose furniture, linen, crockery etc. were taken on board before her transit to Cologne, her port of destination. The captain of the A-ROSA AQUA seized the opportunity to pay a visit to the big "cousin". The formal naming ceremony of

Celebrity Equinox will take place on 29 July 2009 in

Southampton.

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New18.6.2009

Ems Conveyance of Celebrity Equinox

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New29.5.2009

Undocking of Celebrity Equinox

Luxury liner will be "welcomed" by solar boats Papenburg, 29 May 2009 - Upon completion of ample tests and engine trials the new luxury cruise ship for Celebrity Cruises, the Celebrity Equinox, will leave MEYER WERFT's covered building dock II on 6 June 2009. Around 7.30 a.m. the new ship will slowly start leaving the dock. In the following the Celebrity Equinox will be moved in the harbour, where more tests will be performed. Around 4.30 p.m. she will finally be berthed.

With the ship being berthed alongside the pier, remaining work will be completed. The ship's two funnels as well as the mast will be mounted. The river Ems passage to the sea trials port in Eemshaven (Netherlands) is likely to take place on 19/20 June 2009.The Ems passage is dependent on the prevailing weather and tidal conditions.

The new ship will have a length overall of 315 m, a breadth of 36.80 m, and will be able to operate at a speed of more than 24 knots. More than 2,858 passengers can be accommodated in 1,426 cabins.

The undocking procedure will be broadcast live via webcam on the internet: www.meyerwerft.de

On the following day, - Sunday, 7June 2009 - the solar boat contest put up by MEYER WERFT will take place against the background of the Celebrity Equinox. 20 teams selected from schools in North West Germany will line up for a race in the harbour in front of the new luxury liner. The Celebrity Equinox is also equipped with a solar power system. More than 120 students as well as a big crowd are expected to witness the solar boat race.

Photos: Celebrity Equinox inside the building dock prior to undocking

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