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LLOYD WERFT in Bremerhaven (LWB) is lengthening the first of its two
‘Project America’ ships and will also complete her earlier
than scheduled for regular customer Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL).
LWB told Shipping World & Shipbuilder that the Norwegian owner wanted
the 256m long hull lengthened by 25m to 281 m. The yard said two further
diesel engines would also be installed, raising the total to six. Reports
said that was to increase speed. LWB also told Shipping World & Shipbuilder
that the first unnamed ship will be delivered by the end of 2003. Earlier
reports said the 2,000 passenger ship would take 14 months to complete
and be delivered in Spring 2004.
NCL last year bought all the materials and equipment, along with work
preformed to date, on the two ‘Project America’ vessels under
construction at Northrop’s Ingalls shipyard in the USA. LWB organised
Atlantic towage to Bremerhaven of the 65 percent completed hull of the
72,000gt vessel previously nemed Queen of Americas, and of the materials
for the second ship, which is reportedly 90 percent built but unassembled.
What will happen to the second ship was still not clear. It seemed unlikly
that materials would be assembled at LWB, which is not a newbuilding yard.
Earlier reports spoke of Meyer Werft and an unidentified German yard being
interested in some of the work. NCL said once completion of the first
ship was under way, it “will explore the feasibility of completing
the second vessel based on the word in progress and materials that have
been purchased.”
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